Family Support
Like doctors and pilots, I didn’t make up the principles that govern LGBTQ mental health — we have merely discovered them and now use them daily to safeguard lives. I pray with my feet every day that Latter-day Saints will come to fully understand these discoveries too. We are all part of one body in Christ. May we see that each part however different is equally needed by us.
I always wondered why my father, who always encouraged people to go to church, to pray, and to read the scriptures, did not enter the church with others on Sundays. My mom decided to tell us that our dad was gay.
Sue Williams, a grandmother of a gay Mormon, shares the much prayed for miracle for her family she witnessed while attending the 2017 Affirmation International Conference in Provo, Utah, September 22nd through the 24th, 2017.
Dennis Williams, a grandfather of a gay Mormon, shares the deepening understanding wonderful change of heart he experienced while attending the 2017 Affirmation International Conference in Provo, Utah, September 22nd through the 24th, 2017.
Getting married to a man was hard for my family, but they were really great. I invited all my siblings and even some of my extended family. That being said, I was selective about who I invited. I didn’t feel the need to invite people that I didn’t feel particularly close to or people that I felt wouldn’t be supportive or happy on the day. My parents were still on the fence about things a bit, I think, but they were willing to come to support me and now they love my husband a lot.
Affirmation Brazil has seen so many new people get involved to support the work of Affirmation in 2017. Here are a few stories from those finding support in Affirmation and seeking to help others.
I was able to arm myself with some tools to tackle some of the hard things I am dealing with thanks to the wonderful people I was able to meet and hear speak.
A recording of Salt Lake City’s June 22nd Affirmation FHE, “Finding our Spiritual Footing,” is provided here by the Affirmation Podcast.
My son said, “If anyone knew who I really was, they would hate me.” These were the same thoughts he had regarding us before he had come out to us. So Wendy and I took on the task of liberating him of that shame.