Member Stories

This section explores firsthand accounts of Church members who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Because no story happens in isolation, the stories also explore the experiences of families, friends, and leaders.

woman walking outdoors

“We are not endeavoring here to try to cover the waterfront and address every issue that could be, and needs to be, addressed in different settings relating to same-sex attraction. But the idea is to open us, all of us, to greater understanding. And you’ll hear stories and experiences from quite a diversity of people and backgrounds and perceptions. They’re genuine. They’re real. They’re authentic. And while you see some saying, ‘This didn’t work, and this did,’ and the progression in life, we feel that this can only lead to greater sensitivity and better understanding, and that’s what we’re about.

“Our only real hope in addressing these very sensitive and difficult issues is that we are civil and listen to one another and try to understand. You’ll see in these experiences that some people state what you could call the position of the Church; it coincides perfectly. And others not. But again, they are all very authentic. And as we listen to one another and strive to understand, things can only get better” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Purpose of This Website,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).