tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post6720390527891784211..comments2023-10-21T09:16:56.769-06:00Comments on Big Red Hammer: Hometeachers?BigRedHammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09525232250776614478noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-49651651790665699602010-01-28T23:45:53.761-07:002010-01-28T23:45:53.761-07:00Follow the spirit. I do want to correct you on som...Follow the spirit. I do want to correct you on something though. YOU are not gay. Gay is a part of you, a genetic trait, but not all of you. When I hear that I think, well I prefer chocolate so should I say, Hi my name is... and I am chocolate? Of course not. My point is, you are also LDS. When they are there enjoy that part of you with them. IF you feel impressed to tell them OTHER parts of you - then by all means do so. Just my two cents.David K Small, artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03210194626190737852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-3964557888115162602010-01-04T22:03:41.733-07:002010-01-04T22:03:41.733-07:00This is a bit late, but I've been thinking abo...This is a bit late, but I've been thinking about your post a lot. . .<br /><br />I hope you will have the hometeachers in your home, I hope you will attend church, and regardless of the incongruity and or ultimate church membership status, that you will come worship with your ward.<br /><br />I see this as an important part of changing hearts, even if policy does not change.Quiet Songhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13242291365616236005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-2980978629100098752010-01-03T21:11:17.094-07:002010-01-03T21:11:17.094-07:00Assuming the worst: The bishop could seek to exco...Assuming the worst: The bishop could seek to excommunicate me.<br /><br />Assuming the best: I could become good friends with my hometeachers. I could even change my status from inactive to semi-active.<br /><br />The Worst: I am ready for this. I wouldn't hate the Church for it. I don't think I'd be bitter either. When you join a private institution, you agree to abide by its rules and the consequences for breaking those rules. If that is how they need to punish me, I can accept that. Everyone makes it out to be *horrible*. But truthfully, it's like being a member minus the responsibilities. You can't hold callings, be a hometeacher or even pray in public. But you can still go to Church, participate in the lessons and feel the Spirit. Doesn't sound half bad?<br /><br />The Best: Aaron and I could feel welcomed to our ward and make an effort to attend. Of course we'd stay closeted while there. And that doesn't bother me. But if we can be friendly with our hometeachers I'd love to invite them to things and become good friends. The Spirit they'd bring would be welcome in our home.BigRedHammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09525232250776614478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-87190529016943457062010-01-03T16:03:42.422-07:002010-01-03T16:03:42.422-07:00A couple of years ago you told me you weren't ...A couple of years ago you told me you weren't ready for the church to know you're gay (at the time your family didn't know either). It seems like once your home teachers know, the bishop will know. I have zero experience with this, but are you ready for any consequences that might bring? You know the old addage - hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. To live in fear is no way to live. Are you ready?mightybobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04183840738774924932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-84370300497255766292010-01-01T00:35:31.796-07:002010-01-01T00:35:31.796-07:00Hi Scott. I met you over five years ago. How's...Hi Scott. I met you over five years ago. How's life?Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17922340072996924768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-79027745336938450452009-12-31T13:35:49.184-07:002009-12-31T13:35:49.184-07:00Yeah, I say that there is no reason to wait. And ...Yeah, I say that there is no reason to wait. And I don't think you need to make a grand announcement. Just make it part of the regular flow of conversation. Like you said, you can be gracious and kind to them and then leave it up to them to decide what they will do as a result. That way, you've been true to yourself and also kind to them.JonJonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14158807819966424747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-28914833427370730482009-12-31T13:14:44.594-07:002009-12-31T13:14:44.594-07:00I find your attitude refreshing and intriguing and...I find your attitude refreshing and intriguing and can't wait for you to share what happens next.<br /><br />I agree that you don't beat around the bushes but you take his interest as sincere and see where this contact with the church ends up going. I've been in his position before and being taken for a ride is never appreciated and your sincerity will hopefully be rewarded in kind.Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159223254071653666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-34764051336466398382009-12-31T13:00:17.331-07:002009-12-31T13:00:17.331-07:00I'm with Scott: I see no reason to wait.
&quo...I'm with Scott: I see no reason to wait.<br /><br />"Well, Peter … I'd love to have you and your companion over. My boyfriend and I both love the Church and have testimonies. We're not sure whether we belong in the Church, but we certainly miss having the contact."<br /><br />Or some such … you don't need our prompting. <br /><br />I'm rooting for you — and the home teacher.<br /><br />:)Silus Grokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934750518150584644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-49162831324637251222009-12-31T12:54:29.715-07:002009-12-31T12:54:29.715-07:00First off, I find it refreshing that you have a te...First off, I find it refreshing that you have a testimony and still love the Church. As a gay member, I find that's an admirable position to be in as that is something I would like to strive for and maintain.<br /><br />I think that's great that you are willing to have them over. And letting them know of your sexuality is important, too. Having spoken to a number of bishops on the subject, I find it rather disheartening that many of them have never dealt with the subject before on an ecclesiastical level. I believe we do need to make ourselves more known in order to see change come into the Church (in the sense of love and compassion towards GLBT members).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01226208429329312021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737068.post-53474380412495370882009-12-31T12:53:09.039-07:002009-12-31T12:53:09.039-07:00I think you should absolutely be honest and open a...I think you should absolutely be honest and open about your situation.<br /><br />I don't even think that you need to wait until you've "built a relationship of trust".<br /><br />Simply state, as plainly and clearly as possible and with no hint of apology, that you are gay, that you are happy in a relationship, that you are unsure of where you stand in relation to the church (despite retaining a testimony of it). Let him know that he is welcome to visit, but clearly define what you expect from those visits (e.g. if you don't want him to put any effort into "reactivating" you, say so).<br /><br />If he's a good person (and not just a good Mormon) he'll accept you as you are and you'll become good friends as he continues to visit. If he can't handle the truth of the situation... well, then you don't really want him coming around every month anyway, do you?Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15332275934258698026noreply@blogger.com