These stories are very personal and can be emotionally and psychologically triggering. Alyssa Carlson Paquette I’m at work today, and barely able to concentrate. This is the first day our 12yo son is *finally* back at our home, after his usual week at his (gay) mom’s home. He made it halfway through school before he said he was “sick” and had my husband pick him up. Usually he is so positive and easy going, but ever since these policies hit... Read more
These stories are very personal and can be emotionally and psychologically triggering. Posted Anonymously My ex has decided to take me to court to take my kids away. This all came about after the policy change. I’m gay and we divorced several years ago. Up until this past weekend, we were getting along well. I agreed in the divorce to allow her to raise the kids in the church. Apparently she now feels she will not be able to... Read more
Ronald Enroth is a Christian sociologist who has written much about religious movements – in particular when churches cross the line into what would be considered cult-like behavior. In Churches That Abuse Enroth identifies five categories: Authority and Power – abusive groups misuse and distort the concept of spiritual authority. Abuse arises when leaders of a group arrogate to themselves power and authority that lacks the dynamics of open accountability and the capacity to question or challenge decisions made by leaders.... Read more
I am dedicating this week to sharing first-hand stories of Mormons who are being affected by the policy changes our church confirmed last week. All stories are posted with permission. These stories are very personal and can be emotionally and psychologically triggering. Courtney Galloway Went to church today in my slacks, my pagan wife at my side. Gave hugs to friends, and tried to console one sweet friend in my ward- who has a gay daughter and seemed to perceive... Read more
I received permission from both Devon & Ashley Gibby and Kate (who I’m leaving last name off for confidentiality reasons for the adolescents) to include their personal posts regarding how they are reacting to the news about the new LDS policy and how it will affect their family. This is a good, yet tragic, example of why so many of us are sharing the type of dismay and concern about this last week’s announcement. These policies will do nothing but... Read more
This is where I am finding solace at this time: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40 Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least... Read more
I have permission to publish the following official response drafted by the Mama Dragons Board: As mothers of and mother figures to LDS LGBT children, we are profoundly saddened and disillusioned by the church’s clarification of their stance on LGBT relationships. We work diligently to make sure every LGBT youth and young adult within our reach feels safe valued and loved. We are painfully aware of those who have chosen to end their lives over rhetoric such as this and... Read more
I’m deeply grieved that the church has hit a new low in dealing with its LGBT members. I’m at a loss of words in knowing how to make sense of the new additions in the bishop’s handbook guiding ecclesiastical leaders to treat the decision to same-sex marry as a form of apostasy AND to exclude children being raised in same-sex marriages from the rituals and ordinances of being Mormon. Literally speechless. I am having a hard time finding the church... Read more
Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate. Carl Jung Read more
Families have been widely varied throughout all of history – from how many children, to how those children came to be part of the family, to who is raising the children, etc… When we continue to tout and emphasize the importance of one type of family over others we do harm. It doesn’t matter how much we preach that we need to “reach out to all people with understanding, love and compassion.” The bottom line is that the position we... Read more
The Mormon Therapist
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