tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post8258586827184676140..comments2023-06-26T07:03:26.219-07:00Comments on I am Mitch Mayne. I am an openly gay, active Latter-day Saint.: On His Blindness (LGBT Edition)Mitch Maynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01581529961840637683noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-81600446043822601032016-06-10T17:58:53.739-07:002016-06-10T17:58:53.739-07:00You are very kind, my friend. I'm grateful wha...You are very kind, my friend. I'm grateful what I said resonated. If I can help, don't hesitate to email me directly. Always happy to chat by phone in lieu of in person as well! Blessings, my friend! Mitch Maynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01581529961840637683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-47013261779854854992016-06-10T16:46:00.331-07:002016-06-10T16:46:00.331-07:00I hope to meet you some day. Mitch. I live just a ...I hope to meet you some day. Mitch. I live just a few hours from SF. I found a podcast some months ago in which you and CLP were both guests after the church came out with it's controversial "apostasy" doctrine last year. I laid there in bed listening...and crying my eyes out. I'm so lost, so torn, trying so desperately to hold on to the last threads of connection that remain between me and the church. I often wonder if I hold on only out of respect for my beloved Patriarch father and angel mother, the loves of my life. They're in their final years in their late 80's and I honestly don't know what to do or where to go once they're gone. Thank you, Mitch for who you are.<br /><br />A grateful admirer in the shadow shadowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15128976880198869556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-46696944161037944012016-05-07T19:35:56.770-07:002016-05-07T19:35:56.770-07:00Thanks for your comments, Bishop Fletcher! Thanks for your comments, Bishop Fletcher! Mitch Maynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01581529961840637683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-33011156054456766412016-05-07T14:04:41.393-07:002016-05-07T14:04:41.393-07:00Everyone’s story and experience is unique and trul...Everyone’s story and experience is unique and truly one solution does not resolve everyone’s situation. When I was a bishop, the unique nature of everyone’s situation became very obvious. To be honest, there were many times when I had to frankly tell my ward member – I don’t know – that is a question I simply do not have an answer to. But … I can assure you that the Lord is very interested in your life and He can give you direction about how to proceed. Everyone is loved by God and everyone can receive personal revelation on what to do with their life’s challenges.<br />Some universal common themes that are applicable to most would include:<br />• Prayer can work for everyone. You don’t have to qualify with some arbitrary level of righteousness to ask for direction. Answers can come to everyone. You won’t receive inspiration for my life and there are messages that the Lord will only send to your ears and heart also.<br />• What is a correct course of action for someone else may not be for you.<br />• At whatever stage we are at, everyone is blessed by being closer to the Savior. Spiritual nourishment helps with every problem. Doing the things that bring you closer to God will help you. Don’t turn your back on the being that gives the best gifts. Mortals can be flakey, but God is not.<br />• Be patient with well-intentioned but misinformed associates. The human faces of LGBT individuals often melt irrational stereotypes.<br />• Similarly, there are human faces within our straight brothers and sisters who are striving to understand—they need patience, as well. <br />• Everyone here on earth has challenges and many people are in a very similar situation to you. You are not alone.<br />• No experience in life is wasted. <br />• Everything will be alright for you in the end.<br />• I and many other people love you and want to be there for you. It isn’t easy, but you can have a great life and do everything that God wants you to do in mortality.<br />Don Fletcher (author)Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14453325536445481956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-3749795958366422382016-04-29T06:45:26.616-07:002016-04-29T06:45:26.616-07:00You read too much into my statements. I never felt...You read too much into my statements. I never felt unloved or unwanted. I am making a logical statement based on the policies of the church. It is inconsistent to invite gay members who are in loving same sex relationships back to church when there is clear policy that they can be excommunicated or disfellowshipped and that their children cannot attend as full members. The church ultimately would ask them to give up their loving relationship for celibacy. That is not a viable, long term option for most people. The children of gay Mormons are being punished for their someone else's "transgression." I too was raised in the church and was a powerfully devout member for nearly 22 years. When the time came to be honest about who I am, there was no logical way to reconcile being gay with being Mormon. They simply don't work together, especially with this new policy. The realization the church is not true came later. These people may have the best intentions and be acting out of love, but the church as an organization, through it policies and doctrines, is expressing anything but love toward the LGBT community. Matt Jarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13939019011322293648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-80035848129730046502016-04-28T12:59:10.725-07:002016-04-28T12:59:10.725-07:00Matt Jarvis, I disagree with you. And whether you ...Matt Jarvis, I disagree with you. And whether you believe that the LDS Church is true or not, I don't feel that your comments (or the person who wrote the above mentioned "CES Letter") reflect the love of Christ. I believe in Christ and I believe that he loves YOU, me, and everyone else- regardless of sexual orientation, religion, or personal beliefs. My belief comes as a result of being raised in the LDS Church, and I believe that both Mitch and Bishop Fletcher have expressed through their words this same sentiment of love. If you don't feel love for those who hold opinions opposite of your own, perhaps that is the problem and not the church. Additionally, since you've linked the infamous "CES Letter," I'd like to include a counter-letter that I found, which allowed me to look at both sides. I know that there is a God and that he loves all His children. Christ is the Savior of the world and no matter what our stance is on LGBT rights or anything else, I trust that Him and my Heavenly Father will judge righteously in the end.<br /><br />https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7gOT4OKsqsyOFRnWGtSdGU2MUk/viewElyse Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15013763436213843431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-29698689758406211912016-04-27T19:01:42.630-07:002016-04-27T19:01:42.630-07:00While I agree with the sentiment of being inclusiv...While I agree with the sentiment of being inclusive to all people, judging none for the struggles they face and the success or failure they meet with those challenges, I don't understand how individuals who choose to actively embrace a homosexual lifestyle can find much happiness in the church regardless of how welcoming the members of any ward might be. Ultimately they are limited in their growth, development and ability to participate as members of the church. Missionaries cannot baptize actively homosexual individuals, they cannot hold the priesthood and they cannot enjoy temple blessings. All of the benefits will be by mere association with church members only. They cannot live a homosexual lifestyle and have the opportunity to make covenants. I feel their frustrations in this, I don't want to exclude anyone, but there's no getting around the doctrine. If actively homosexual individuals or couples can be happy just by coming to church every week or attending activities, but I do not see how they cannot eventually come to the realization that the lifestyle they are living is preventing them from going further. We can be welcoming and friendly to all people but I don't see how we can avoid watering down the doctrine or not hurt individuals by stating what it is we believe. I don't know why of all the struggles we could have, this one has become so prevalent. It causes a great deal damage to all of our relationships. I don't think enough has been reveal for most people to understand how to reconcile the inconsistencies that exist with this particular issue...I just don't know...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11516495198797457331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-3787808024119391402016-04-27T10:02:10.963-07:002016-04-27T10:02:10.963-07:00This link below sums up why everyone should leave ...This link below sums up why everyone should leave the church and stay out. Read it and be honest with yourselves. I am happier and more joyful now than I ever was in the church. By asking gay members back into the congregation, you are asking them to submit to excommunication. The new policy that came out last year is explicit on this and is another example of how the church has made it crystal clear that gay members are not welcome. The members are going against the spirit of this policy by inviting members back to church. <br /><br />http://cesletter.comMatt Jarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13939019011322293648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-81575718181804121812016-04-26T09:49:15.830-07:002016-04-26T09:49:15.830-07:00So much love in this...thanks for sharing. So much love in this...thanks for sharing. Melwelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06626080878499758914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-74999437606439235512016-04-25T10:14:59.847-07:002016-04-25T10:14:59.847-07:00I think we need to remember that ours is NOT the r...I think we need to remember that ours is NOT the role of judge; ours is the role of friend. So all we need to do is LOVE them and let our Father in Heaven take care of the judgement part. We don't have to approve their choices but we do have to love them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03168914062558898148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-79152696679216145232016-04-23T03:49:11.815-07:002016-04-23T03:49:11.815-07:00What does it mean to be openly gay active LDS? How...What does it mean to be openly gay active LDS? How do you define "active"?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05696683627050708038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-76229031899526396892016-04-23T03:45:42.796-07:002016-04-23T03:45:42.796-07:00That's the question this article failed to ans...That's the question this article failed to answer and perhaps the most important oneAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05696683627050708038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-5278312341796328772016-04-22T21:51:23.907-07:002016-04-22T21:51:23.907-07:00Hi Michael- email me directly and I'll speak w...Hi Michael- email me directly and I'll speak with Bishop Fletcher. mitchmayne@gmail.comMitch Maynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01581529961840637683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-31698376285836685722016-04-22T20:58:43.351-07:002016-04-22T20:58:43.351-07:00Possible to get a hard copy of the transcript?Possible to get a hard copy of the transcript?Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10662022713265178857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-83073925811635188332016-04-22T19:59:59.533-07:002016-04-22T19:59:59.533-07:00So welcome to hear/read this remarkable/desperatel...So welcome to hear/read this remarkable/desperately needed challenge!<br />ElizabethUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15550575945367588755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-84666046252785497222016-04-22T18:42:27.172-07:002016-04-22T18:42:27.172-07:00Thank you for serving and sharing these important ...Thank you for serving and sharing these important feelings with us. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18429407630649209847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-1826321219745455362016-04-22T18:42:01.522-07:002016-04-22T18:42:01.522-07:00Thank you for serving and sharing these important ...Thank you for serving and sharing these important feelings with us. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18429407630649209847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-75895508382285923332016-04-22T13:45:46.332-07:002016-04-22T13:45:46.332-07:00Thank you for a well-written and uplifting talk. ...Thank you for a well-written and uplifting talk. It brightened my day to hear your words of inclusion. I only wish these words would come from the First Presidency as salve to the GLBT community...clearly they're not on the same path.Minnesota Annexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316800423851489228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-47445271952463324172016-04-22T11:58:36.763-07:002016-04-22T11:58:36.763-07:00We need so many more leaders like you in our Churc...We need so many more leaders like you in our Church. Thank you for these words. Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614096535899341586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-35553304831647023672016-04-19T06:51:24.289-07:002016-04-19T06:51:24.289-07:00Gorgeous words! I feel such an incredibly deep lo...Gorgeous words! I feel such an incredibly deep love, passion and compassion for our LGBT members. I've spoken openly with my Bishops and Stake Presidents (and many friends) about that for many years now, especially in Temple Recommend interviews. I had my temple recommend withheld for a time - lovingly - and I came to understand why. Although brief, it helped me feel what it was like to love the Lord, yet feel held apart from him because of the deep love and affinity I feel for my LGBT brothers and sisters and their situation in the church. Yet I could not deny that love, nor it's depth and conviction. Thank you so much for what you are doing - and please let me know how I can help! I'm taking up your challenge and will be praying about just that.Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00243031659551556209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-31338963015133442602016-04-19T00:12:23.551-07:002016-04-19T00:12:23.551-07:00Regarding "Excommunicated" (having been ...Regarding "Excommunicated" (having been there) I would suggest "On Hold Member". Sparkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06244397273678662929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-70726214043337021492016-04-16T11:47:19.440-07:002016-04-16T11:47:19.440-07:00Alternatives to "Excommunicated":
Prospe...Alternatives to "Excommunicated":<br />Prospective Member<br />Former Latter-Day Saint<br />Second Baptism CandidateMnMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12808846295067358536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-82055704563782802512016-04-15T23:57:43.546-07:002016-04-15T23:57:43.546-07:00How do you counsel your gay friends when they have...How do you counsel your gay friends when they have already 'jumped ship' and are living the gay lifestyle? How do you help them feel comfortable attending church?Concerned Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18181736739796933314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-89378256865174647782016-04-15T23:54:15.855-07:002016-04-15T23:54:15.855-07:00What do you say to your gay friends when they have...What do you say to your gay friends when they have jumped ship? When they are living the gay lifestyle, how do you help them feel comfortable at church? Concerned Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18181736739796933314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835564038959249094.post-66877792936283743062016-04-15T20:51:45.315-07:002016-04-15T20:51:45.315-07:00Wow. Thank you for sharing. This made my week. Wow. Thank you for sharing. This made my week. Abigail Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13736183682508208533noreply@blogger.com