Lift + Love

Today we're featuring a special episode of the Lift+Love Podcast featuring Travis Stewart on the Gather Conference main stage in 2025, beginning with a brief introduction by Gather MC Steven Kapp Perry.

Travis Steward is a former mission president to the Texas, Houston Mission and has spent most of his career at the Provo Missionary Training Center working for the Missionary Department and Brigham Young University. As a gay member of the church, he and his wife, Margaret, have raised 6 awesome humans and now enjoy loving and supporting their 8 amazing grandkids. Travis has facilitated weekly gay men’s support groups for the past 10 years and has participated on several podcasts including “Questions from the Closet”; “Listen, Learn & Love”; and “Leading Saints”. When he is not out working in his garden, checking off travel destinations on his bucket list, or giving sugar to his grandkids, you will find him up at his sweet little cabin tidying up the forest. This presentation was given on the main stage of the 3rd annual Gather Conference 2025 and is relevant for a wide range of people - including LGBTQ+ folks and their non-LGBTQ+ relatives, friends, leaders, and allies. Gather Conference 2025 videos are free and available to the public, whether or not they attended the Gather Conference in person) and we invite you to share these uplifting presentations with your friends and loved ones. 

The video of this presentation available on our Gather Conference Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/1mjtBYA91js?si=aJ8APuTAANpk52EO

The Gather Conference (a Lift+Love event) is an annual conference held in Provo, Utah. Gather Conference is a Christ-centered gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Learn more about the upcoming Gather Conference here: www.liftandlove.org/gather

Lift+Love provides faith-affirming and identity-affirming support and resources for Latter-day Saint individuals and their families, friends, leaders, and allies. Learn more about the Lift+Love Foundation here: www.liftandlove.org/about

Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife here: https://www.finlayson-fife.com

Watch the video version of this presentation on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/cRSIBQZAw8s

Episode 88 - “Creativity in Adapting to Change” J. Kirk Richards on the Gather Conference Mainstage 2025

Acclaimed artist J. Kirk Richards gives an unforgettable presentation, "Creativity in Adapting to Change" on the main stage of the 3rd annual Gather Conference in 2025.

Kirk speaks on creativity and adapting to change, using early Latter-day Saint history to show how dancing shifted from condemned to a sanctioned, even ritualized practice. He shares personal pain around narrow church messaging about families and how his marriage partner Amy and their children chose not to participate in church, while he maintains connection through playing organ, serving on LDS arts and academic boards, and creating new family Sunday rituals. Citing 1 Corinthians 13, he frames love as creative and adaptive, and explains how his art has signaled safety and support for LGBTQIA+ loved ones and communities, expressing hope that courage, creativity, and love will expand belonging in the future.

00:00 Meet J Kirk Richards

01:26 Creativity And Change

01:58 Mormon Dancing History

06:40 Adaptation In Faith

07:21 Family And Belonging

09:45 Love As A Practice

11:01 Painting Rainbow Witness

13:03 Hopeful Future Vision

14:05 Closing Thanks

About J. Kirk Richards:

"J Kirk Richards is a visual artist known for his work, addressing inclusive and religious themes. He's painted works for Encircle, for Lift and Love, and for  Flourish Therapy, and his work has been published in diverse church magazines, including the Liahona. He was born and raised in Provo, Utah. He earned a bachelor in visual arts at BYU, and for the last 25 years has worked full-time as a studio artist. In 2020, Kirk started JKR gallery in Provo, a community art gallery that hosts monthly themed artworks by emerging artists. He also started an art academy that teaches professional art skills to adults of many ages. Kirk and his marriage partner Amy have four creative children. They live in the mountainside town of Woodland Hills, Utah. One of the things I admire most about Kirk is that he pays it forward, that he makes a place to feature other artists. And when your success is growing, that seems like the time to pour more and more energy into what you're doing... and he has somehow made time to pour more and more energy into paving the way for others"

Learn more about J. Kirk Richards here: https://www.jkirkrichards.com/index.html

The Gather Conference (a Lift+Love event) is an annual conference held in Provo, Utah. Gather Conference is a Christ-centered gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. The upcoming Gather Conference is November 13-14, 2026. Learn more about the Gather Conference here: www.gather-conference.com

Lift+Love provides faith-affirming and identity-affirming support and resources for Latter-day Saint individuals and their families, friends, leaders, and allies. Learn more about the Lift+Love Foundation here: www.liftandlove.org/about

An Undefended Heart - Bishop Karen P. Oliveto - Gather Conference 2025 - Lift+Love Podcast episode 87

On the mainstage of the 3rd annual Gather Conference, a live recording of Aubrey & Tim Chaves’ interview with Bishop Karen P. Oliveto. Tim and Aubrey Chaves grew up near Salt Lake City, Utah — and went to both high school and middle school together. Tim served a mission in Montevideo, Uruguay, before earning his undergraduate degree from BYU and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is now an entrepreneur. Aubrey studied Elementary Education at Utah State and taught fourth grade before starting a cake decorating business. They are the parents of four children and serve on the executive board of _Faith Matters Foundation._ As co-hosts of the _Faith Matters_ podcast, Aubrey and Tim are passionate about creating honest, expansive, and thoughtful conversations around faith. Their LGBTQ+ allyship is at the heart of their commitment to cultivating spaces of deeper understanding, belonging, and love in their community. We are thrilled to welcome Bishop Karen Oliveto to Gather Conference! Through her life and writings, Bishop Oliveto offers grace-filled insights on how our shared commitment to following Jesus Christ can remain at the center of our relationships—even in the face of deep theological differences. Bishop Oliveto, now retired, served as a bishop of The United Methodist Church from 2016 to 2024, making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ bishop in the denomination. Previously, she was also the first woman to serve as senior pastor of one of the UMC’s 100 largest congregations. Her leadership and advocacy have earned national recognition. NBC named her one of 30 contemporary LGBTQ+ change-makers as part of their #Pride50 series, and the Center for American Progress recognized her as one of the Faith Leaders to Watch in 2021. She and her wife, Robin Ridenour, have been together for 25 years.   

Video version of this interview is available here: https://youtu.be/qK6UtFu7jb8

The Gather Conference (a Lift+Love event) is an annual conference held in Provo, Utah. Gather Conference is a Christ-centered gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Join us for Gather Conference 2026 November 13-14th in Provo, Utah. Learn more about the Gather Conference here: www.liftandlove.org/gather

Lift+Love provides faith-affirming and identity-affirming support and resources for Latter-day Saint individuals and their families, friends, leaders, and allies. Learn more about the Lift+Love Organization here: www.liftandlove.org/about

Understanding Trans Church Participation Policies (with David Smurthwaite) - Lift + Love Podcast episode 85

This special episode features our friend David Smurthwaite, who identifies as gender expansive and currently serves as the Director for Gather for Youth, the Gather Conference program for youth ages 14+.

David shares that after being released as a bishop and moving to France, he had space to process a long-repressed gender journey.

Along with episode hosts Allison Dayton and Darice Auston, David discusses the Church's transgender policies, including the handbook hyperlink and related PDF on the participation of individuals who identify as transgender, and the clarification defining gender as biological sex at birth and restrictions affecting names/pronouns, meeting and activity attendance, baptism approvals, overnight youth events, bathroom use, and adult callings and temple participation. They highlight the emotional and logistical burden on individuals and families, note some leaders’ “creative inclusivity” through seeking spiritual guidance, and express hope for more compassionate, flexible policies.

00:00 Gather Conference Invite & Podcast Mission Intro

00:44 Meet David Smurthwaite

01:23 Gender Expansive Identity

02:00 Coming Out After Bishop

04:46 Handbook Trans Link

06:24 Policy Changes Overview

10:12 Individual Impact Costs

14:04 Primary Kids Effects

17:51 Youth Restrictions FSY

20:34 Adult Limits Bathrooms

23:19 Aligning With God

26:32 Creative Local Inclusion

31:22 Hopeful Closing

Links to materials references in this episode: 

"Church Participation of Individuals Who Identify as Transgender GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR LOCAL LEADERS - This document supplements the policy in General Handbook, 38.6.23, 'Individuals Who Identify as Transgender.' Its purpose is to help local leaders counsel with individuals and their families about certain aspects of Church participation. here

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE HERE: https://youtu.be/x4k7H2J3WmE

If you are LGBTQIA+ or love someone who is, please consider joining us this November for the 4th annual Gather Conference in Provo, Utah. The conference is November 13-14th, 2026 with an optional opening social on November 12th. Gather is the largest ever Christ-centered conference for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Adult and youth programs are available. This conference is for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth AND parents, spouses, other relatives, friends, allies, and leaders. Learn more at www.liftandlove.org/gather

"Beloved and Whole - Scripture, Eunuchs, and Belonging" A Conversation with Jared Lambert - Lift+Love Podcast Episode 84

Episode hosts Allison Dayton and Darice Auston talk with Jared Lambert, a scripture scholar and historical linguist and founder of Veiled Roots.

They discuss eunuchs in scripture as a lens for inclusion of marginalized people in faith communities. They discuss Isaiah’s teaching that eunuchs and foreigners belong in God’s house, the Ethiopian eunuch’s baptism in Acts 8, and Jesus’ remarks on eunuchs in Matthew 19, emphasizing the absence of condemnation and repeated patterns of inclusion. Allison shares a personal story connecting the term “eunuch” with her gay brother, leading to a lifetime of study. Jared discusses biblical references in Isaiah 56, Acts 8, and Matthew 19, notes the lack of condemnation of gender-nonconforming eunuchs in early Christian contexts, and critiques anachronistic readings. He introduces the Hebrew concept of “shema” as participatory revelation requiring individual and communal response, encouraging listeners to study and seek personal revelation.

01:23 Meet Jared Lambert

02:04 A Eunuch Story

04:46 Defining Eunuchs

06:01 Eunuchs in Scripture

07:23 Galli Priests Context

11:17 Matthew 19 Eunuchs

19:45 Shema and Revelation

23:09 Ancient Gender Categories

26:19 Isaiah 56 Inclusion

30:12 Modern Policy Tensions

30:57 Theophonic Trajectory

35:44 Social Media vs Community

36:58 Study and Personal Shema

Jared Lambert’s bio: Jared is a scripture scholar and linguist whose research focuses on the Hebrew Bible through historical linguistics, onomastics, and ancient Near Eastern cultural context. His work explores how language, temple structure, and narrative patterns reveal deeper theological architecture within the text, particularly around concepts of divine authority, priesthood, and relational understandings of the divine. He is a PhD candidate in History at Liberty University and holds degrees in History, International Affairs, Middle Eastern Studies, and Communications from the University of Utah and BYU–Idaho. Jared also trained as a linguist in the U.S. Army at the Defense Language Institute, where he specialized in Persian-Farsi and later served in multilingual analytical roles. He previously worked as a Supervising Linguist in the Sacred Materials Department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, overseeing translation teams across global regions. He is the founder of Veiled Roots, a teaching platform and learning community dedicated to helping people return to scripture with greater depth, context, and clarity through ancient language and pattern-based study.

Website:

https://veiledroots.com

Course:

https://veiledroots.com/28-week-course/

Come Follow Me Membership: 

https://veiledroots.com/comefollowme/

Instagram: 

@jrichardlambert

https://www.instagram.com/jrichardlambert/

Youtube: 

@JRichardLambert 

https://www.youtube.com/@JRichardLambert

TikTok:

@jrichardlambert 

https://www.tiktok.com/@jrichardlambert

Facebook: 

JRichardLambert

https://www.facebook.com/jrichardlambert

The Lift+Love team invites you to join us for Gather Conference 2026 - the world's largest EVER Christ-centered conference for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and their relatives, friends, allies, and leaders. This year's conference takes place in Provo Utah November 13-14th (plus an opening social on November 12th). We have programming for adults and youth (14+). Learn more and register at www.liftandlove.org/gather

Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife here: https://www.finlayson-fife.com

Learn more about Lift and Love on our website here: www.liftandlove.org

**CONTENT - mention of temple recommend interview, mention of temple endowment, mention of young adult dealing with depression related to suppressed homosexuality, brief general mention of the false belief that some people have that it's better to die sooner so that they can be "healed". If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, or is considering harming themself or someone else, please do not wait to get help. Contact 9-8-8 or 9-1-1 immediately.**

Well With My Soul - "Love is Bigger Than Fear" with Amie Steele Lift+Love Podcast  Episode 82

Amie Steele, author of the Substack “Well With My Soul,” joins episode hosts Allison Dayton and Darice Auston to discuss her family’s journey after her son Hunter disclosed he was gay following depression and therapy, and later her younger son Presley also came out, encouraged by how the family responded to Hunter. They talk about the common silence after coming out, the harm of shame, secrecy, and church messages that can damage mental and spiritual health, and the need for parents to open affirming conversations early. Amie describes how trying to fit her sons into a “perfect plan” led to painful questions about eternal families, and why she began writing to help others understand faith journeys aren’t simplistic. She shares a profound spiritual confirmation while Hunter and Jake looked at rings and recounts a stake president telling her she couldn’t receive inspiration outside church teachings, strengthening her resolve not to outsource parental stewardship; she notes ward members have often been supportive and celebrates Hunter and Jake’s flourishing marriage.

00:00 Meet Amie Steele

01:45 Hunter Comes Out

03:21 Opening The Conversation

04:12 Presley Shares Too

05:07 Creating Safe Space

08:12 Shame And Spiritual Harm

10:35 Faith Questions Emerge

14:15 Searching For Answers

17:42 Motherhood And Purpose

23:07 Journey Beyond Fear

26:40 Ring Store Revelation

28:09 Honesty With Leaders

31:34 Stewardship And Courage

35:38 Flourishing And Closing

Find Amie’s substack here: https://amiesteele.substack.com/

Find information about the Sanctuary documentary here: https://sanctuarydoc.com/

Learn more about Lift and Love on our website here: www.liftandlove.org

Divine Seeking - Declaration of Divinity Part 6 - Lift+Love Podcast Episode 81 

In this final episode of the 6-part Declaration of Divinity series, hosts Allison Dayton and Jenie Hunter  talk about divine seeking, asking for greater knowledge about the Lord's plan for his LGBTQ children.

Before we jump in, we want to remind you that registration is now open for the fourth annual Gather Conference, the world's largest Christ-centered conference for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them, that will take place in Provo, Utah, this November.

Learn more about the 4th annual Gather Conference and get your early bird registration discount code on our website www.liftandlove.org/gather. Early bird registration discount codes valid through August 15th, 2026