My friend Sean Stansberry (living in New Bern, North Carolina; college student, joined the Church in April 2021) joins us to share his story. Sean starts with joining the church during coronavirus and getting baptized 2.5 weeks later. Sean talks about receiving the priesthood, blessing the sacrament, and attending the temple and being part of young men’s and the youth group for a few months before switching to elders quorum/adult sunday school. Sean talks about the blessing in his life from Church membership.

Sean continues with His love of the temple and receiving his endowment and the peace and no-judgment that is part of his temple experience. Sean talks about coming out publicly on social media and in church being SSA and how that was with both positive and difficult experiences at Church in his home ward and his local YSA branch and some experiences that he has had with his church leaders both present and past church leaders. Sean talks about how he navigates the difficult experiences and why he stays a member of the church.

Sean concludes with his plans to serve a mission and attending the temple and how the spirit is his constant companion.

Thank you, Sean, for being on the podcast. I was so moved hearing your story of courage and faith. You are brave. You are a good man and make this world a better place. Thank you for being on the podcast!

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.stansberryy

Instagram: https://instagram.com/fypsean

Twitter: twitter.com/fypsean

Richard Ostler books/bio/etc: www.papaostler.com

Facebook Group to support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143