"Friends at Church" by J. Kirk Richards I walked off the stand after teaching a fifth Sunday lesson in my ward on ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. I’d given many similar lessons in other wards, interweaving personal stories with resources from the Church. But this was the first time I’d ever spoken in my own ward, with the people I worshipped with every Sunday. As I descended the final step, a member of the bishopric rushed over to me and wrapped me in a big bear hug.

I stepped off the bus at the UVU bus stop just like I had done hundreds of times. But the scene was different. Police cars lined up in front of the university entrance. American flags everywhere. Memorial flowers, signs, and tributes strewn across the lawn. This was my first time back at Utah Valley University since Charlie Kirk had been shot there five days prior. I walked into my building and was greeted by fellow social work faculty and staff cutting out hundreds of green

Mom and I My mom died one year ago today. When I spoke at her funeral, I ended my talk with this hope, “I’m looking forward to the next few years to see what it’s like to have a mom on the other side of the veil and to experience how she is active and present in my life.” Two weeks later I desperately needed my mom. I entered my bishop’s office expecting to get my temple recommend renewed and was stunned when he told me he was unsure he could do that. I knew my answers to t

I sat on a chair in my parents’ living room while my dad placed his hands on my head to give me a priesthood blessing at 23 years old. He didn’t know that two weeks before I had come out for the first time to my two best friends. He didn’t know that questions about my faith and my orientation were constantly swirling in my head. Then as he gave me the blessing he said, “You will be saved in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom.” I thought, Oh shoot! I know this might s