Jakob is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Mathematics at a major research university on the East Coast. He's also a ward organist, which requires almost no Applied Mathematics. My YSA ward recently held a fireside where the bishop and an institute instructor were to answer anonymous gospel questions that had been submitted beforehand. The Relief Society president, who was moderating, had four or five pages of questions; we got through one. These were questions about gender and sexuality, and they didn't hold anything back. The bishop did about as well as could be expected from someone who is supposed to be an official representative of the church. Most of his answers consisted of an expression of empathy, an acknowledgment of the difficulties, and a reminder that there is so much that is still unknown. The questions and discussion were remarkably frank, and the fireside went much better than I expected. At one point during the discussion, a sister...
We recently had a conversation with a family member (Jadyn’s brother). A recently returned missionary and current student at BYU-I he is faithful, believing, and quite dedicated to The Church. He was at our house the other day while on Christmas break and asked a question that sparked a long discussion. “I’ve heard you guys, and others, complain before about Mormon culture,” (which, you know, we have) “and I sometimes wonder- am I that member? I’ve never had a faith crisis. I never feel uncomfortable at church. And while I would never purposely try to do anything that communicates to some other member that they don’t belong here, I still get nervous that I might unknowingly be that super annoying Mormon you complain about. What can I do as a faithful, believing member to not be that member?” His question was sincere and he wanted an answer. Introspective and insightful, he was able to recognize that from his place of relative privilege, having never felt a...