In this episode we hear Dakota Hansen's story about insecurities around his own masculinity, especially as these insecurities worsened on his mission. He recounts his experience in therapy and other group-oriented resources to better understand himself. He also shares his feelings about well-meaning, compassionate members in the church who are ultimately causing confusion for LGBTQ+ members in the Church by showing support by going against concrete church teachings.
Tyran, a talented visual artist in NYC, shares his experience of feeling different than his male peers when he was young and how he has learned to "sniff out" shame and hiding. Instead of running from shadows of his past, he is learning to embrace who he really is. Tyran also shares his experience with addiction recovery programs he has benefitted from and the love and lessons he's gained from others in recovery and his journey as an artist.
Leon shares his experience with same-sex attraction, and repeat incidents of sexual assault from different men throughout his life. Over time and after being married with kids, (some adopted), he learns to turn completely to his Savior and passionately commits to his marriage covenants with his devoted wife.
Kenton shares his incredible and rare story about trusting his mother shortly after he was sexually assaulted by a peer, as well as his experience with anxiety and ADHD. He also takes us back to the crossroads he reached before his mission between "living the lifestyle" and receiving the blessings God had in store for him in the near future. We see how this choice in his teens lead him to the life of happiness he now lives having a wife and children.
Ryan shares his own experience as a "prodigal son" coming back to the church and the Lord after his "personal Jericho" and how his patriarchal blessing inspires him to keep moving forward in promise of someday being a father. Find Ryan's fiction ebook on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Sebastians-Arrow-Ryan-Williams-ebook/dp/B0C1TJCTKR (Book may be triggering for some readers and contains mature topics.)
Spencer Ficiur shares his especially positive experience with same-sex attraction and how he found love and acceptance from family and peers. Spencer also shares more about his experience and the miracle of finding a wife and having two daughters and his thoughts moving forward. I was recently honored to be a guest on Richard Ostler's Listen Learn & Love podcast. Here's the episode: https://soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-725-andrew-davis-ssa-latter-day-saint-host-of-podcast-sons-of-god
Alex Lindstrom, a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, shares his journey of self acceptance that has allowed him to see his same sex attraction experience in a new and holier way.
Tember shares his conversion story from living out his gay lifestyle to embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and never looking back.
Andrew, creator and host of the Sons of God podcast, shares his story and invites others to share theirs and join the show for an interview.
Eric Hansen
great episode! thanks for sharing your story!