My friend Javier “VJ” Aguilar (RM, from Mexico/Texas, Age 25, Current BYU Student) joins us to share his story. Javier talks about his journey to understand his sexual orientation and come out to family in a culture that is very different from the United States. Javier talks about the difficult conversations with his parents raised in a culture where this is compared to additions that can be “cured”. Javier—who has grace and loves his parents—talks about his journey to accept/love himself, find hope during deep depression, and find support.

Once Javier removed the shame and accepted himself, he talks about his desire to help others—from a deep place of love. He talks about leading the Rexburg Pride parade and also start a podcast. The podcast focus is queer LDS stories where English is a second language. Javier talks about their work to name the podcast—finally ending up with “One More Seat at the Table”. Love this name! Please listen/share this podcast and connect with Javier’s podcast (see show notes).

Thank you Javier to being on the podcast. You are brave and your work (along with your friends) is so needed in our community.

Links:

Javier’s Instagram: @vj_ag00

Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/un-lugar-m%C3%A1s-en-la-mesa/id1821754247

Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25J076HVloGCw7PADv10v5?si=DEm_xgz7SNq2V1zMXpFV4w

My friend Stephanie (early 50s, active LDS) joins us to bravely share her story:

Abuse survivor, early trauma

Attempted suicide survivor

Disfellowshipped

Understanding and solving addictions

Same-sex attraction

Journey being active, not active, and now active in the Church

Deep testimony of the Book of Mormon and God

Stephanie frames her life story in music albums she has produced:

“We Were Light Once Weren’t We”

“Whisper To The Trees”

“Still True”

“The Long Way Home”

The Mountain Moved (single)”

Stephanie is one of our bravest guests—bravely sharing her story to help others walking difficult roads—and giving us all better insights to help others. Thank you Stephanie for being on the podcast. You are awesome.

Links:

Aurora Driftworks Albums:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YsYnjjb1z6RkNqSQAkyJS?si=beygMf0gT0OyaFMCfHltOw

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/aurora-driftworks/1865623115

Aurora Driftworks on YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCJz02CqrcO0QfPKf4j_DZpA

**Note: In this episode, Emily talks about being blind. In her prior episode (877), Emily talked about being a Lesbian**

My friend Emily Groves (student at Boise State University, doubling in bio and computer science, active LDS) joins us to share her story.

This is a physical disability—not a intellection one

About her disability

Two approaches to disability (medical and social)

The treatment of disabled people (Pity, Honor, Incompetence)

The temple

Disability isolation

Disability vs sexual orientation

Cure culture

Tips of interacting with disabled people

Thank you Emily—I learned so much from you! I encourage everyone to listen and share this podcast to better support our disabled friends and family members. Honored to have you on the podcast, Emily. You are a remarkable person!

Links:

Emily’s e-mail: [email protected]

My friend Greg Price (writer, scientist, businessman, philanthropist—see bio at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Prince) joins us to talk about his book “Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences” released in 2019.

In this episode, Greg talks the history of the Church approach to homosexuality—going from the behavior model (it’s a choice) to *mostly* the biological model (it’s not a choice). Greg’s book documents when the Church started talking about this (1960’s), what was said, the impact, and how we have gradually moved to where we are today. Greg talks about these painful chapters (including when just identifying as gay would get your excommunicated and expelled for Church schools).

To understand the road our LGBTQ members and their families are walking, I believe it is important to understand where we have come from—which is sobering as we learn the reality of early days and the impact of LGBTQ members and their families. Further, I think it helps our minds and hearts be open to the need to continue to bring more understand and support—as I feel we are not at the finish line as we work to expand the boarders of Zion.

Episode Two will focus on the Church LGBTQ legal efforts (starting with Hawaii in the 1990s) to where we are today.

Thank you Greg for being on the podcast and all your efforts to bring more understanding and support for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and their families.

Links:

Greg’s Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P7Q8QZB

My friends Daniel Carter and Devan Jensen join us to share the story behind the beautiful new hymn “Long Ago, Within a Garden,” with text by Devan and music by Daniel, written in 1999 and added in February 2026 to Hymns—For Home and Church (no. 1210).

Daniel, who worked in the Church Curriculum Department for 27 years before retiring in 2016, opens up about his personal journey. After coming out as gay, he made the decision to resign his membership—not out of anger, but as a step toward healing and “returning to love.” He shares moving insights about his path to self-acceptance, grace, peace, and his deep respect for others. Daniel is now married to his husband, Gale, and continues to express love for his Latter-day Saint roots and community.

Devan, an active Latter-day Saint who worked alongside Daniel, reflects on their friendship and creative collaboration.

They share their perspectives on the meaningful process of bringing this hymn to life.

Elder Gérald Caussé Plays the Piano and Speaks About New Hymn, in Versailles, February 2026 (see show notes).

The podcast then shifts as Daniel shares about his decision to resign his membership from the Church—and how that was not out of anger but his path to “heal and return to love.”

Daniel shares his love for his Latter-day Saint roots and his community.

Daniel talks about his journey to find love, self-acceptance, grace, peace, and respect for others—incredible moving insights.

Devan talks about his support for his friend and their work together to create this song.

This episode is really twofold:

The inspiring story of the creation of a new hymn that will bless many lives

Daniel’s deeply personal journey toward hope, acceptance, and peace—and their lasting friendship

Thank you, Daniel and Devan, for your music, your honesty, and your example of being peacemakers. Your story helps us stay connected as one human family.

Links:

Link to hymn: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/long-ago-within-a-garden?lang=eng

About the hymn: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/sacred-music-gospel-study-resource-pilot/1210-long-ago-within-a-garden?lang=eng

Elder Gérald Caussé: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Lvr2sFzDE

Daniel’s YouTube on “Psalms from the Ruins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnLqw5DBApQ&list=RDbnLqw5DBApQ&start_radio=1

Daniel's bio page: https://www.danielcartermusic.com/bio

Daniel’s earlier podcast (episode 299): https://soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-299-daniel-carter-lds-composer-and-music-department-employee-same-sex-marriage

Devan’s inspiration for the hymn: https://devanjensen.blogspot.com/2016/02/long-ago-within-garden.html

Devan’s earlier podcast (episode 446): https://soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-446-devan-jensen-latter-day-saint-media-and-publishing-association

Devan’s upcoming Latter-day Saints in Publishing, Media and the Arts conference (Oct 15-17, 2026): https://ldspma.org/2026-ldspma-conference/ (use discount LISTENLEARNLOVE26 for a 20% discount)

My friend Jeff Strong (married father of five, grandfather, former mission president, retired senior executive consumer goods) join us to talk about his new book. Jeff introduces his book with the story of his son Cale leaving the MTC and then leaving the Church—and Jeff’s desire to better understand.

Jeff’s book (with a forward from Steve Young) focuses on:

Conducting the largest LDS focused study on disaffiliation (20,000 respondents + interviews)

About 40% of those that were active in 2000 have left the church 25 years later

The “four patterns” that emerge from the data—super insightful

Importance of culture—needs to nourish and create belonging—and how we can do better

“It isn’t about lower standards; it’s about more love”

Framing of the tension—four areas

Powerful story of reconciliation with his son Cale

Jeff’s book is so needed in our community—bringing the data forward and then framing it a way that gives us tools and insights to do better. I encourage everyone to read and share this book—and consider what we can do better to create the culture/belonging that Jeff’s talks about in his book.

Thank you Jeff for writing this book and being on the podcast. You are making a huge difference for good in our community.

Links:

Jeff’s website: www.tornbyjeffstrong.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588509745251

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tornbyjeffstrong/

Steve Young’s Root talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpMJkBbTqB0

My friend Duane Jennings (gay, same-sex marriage, mid-60’s, RM from South Africa, Affirmation Leader for 15+ years, author “Stumbling Blocks and Stepping-Stones”) joins us to share his story including:

· Journey to understand and accept his sexuality

· Serving a mission

· Anger and asking God about his sexuality “Told it is OK”

· Got involved in Affirmation “Help people spiritually heal”

· Been with his husband for 20+ years.

· Friends most of the “September Six”—Lavina Fiending Anderson (died in Oct 2023) edited his book

· “Stumbling Blocks and Stepping-Stones” Vol 1 and Vol 2 maybe the most comprehensive analysis of all things LDS/LGBTQ through 2016

· How to get a copy of Duane’s book

Thank you Duane for being on the podcast and especially for all your work over a few decades to bring more understanding and support for our LGBTQ friends. You’ve made a huge difference for good. Honored to have you on the podcast. You are a good man.

Links:

Duane’s e-mail: [email protected].

Duane’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duane.jennings.2016

Duane’s Book Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatterdaySteppingStones/

My friend Eli McCann (lawyer, University of Utah Law School adjunct professor, Equality Utah and The Road Home board member, married to husband Skylar, father) joins us to talk about his new book published called “We’ve Thankful for the Moisture, A Gay Guy's Guide to Mormon Faith, Family and Fruit Preservation”

Thank you Eli for being on the podcast and sharing about your new book—which is a reflective book—along with some humor—on our unique Mormon culture. I encourage everyone to listen to Eli’s podcast and check out his book. Thank you to our friends at The Salt Lake Tribune and Signature Books for making this book possible.

Thank you Eli for all your good work in our community to build bridges and help others. Your work brings a smile to my face. You are a beautiful family.

Links:

Eli’s Book at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Were-Thankful-Moisture-Mormon-Preservation/dp/B0GLSLKYRM

My friend Josh Otani (Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Utah State University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Family Life from Brigham Young University; active LDS) joins us to talk about:

* How to build a healthier tools and perspectives about the sexual part of ourselves

* Untangling shame from our sexual part—not something that needs to be “covered up”

* It’s beautiful, inherent, and life giving

* Thoughts are part of our experience—be curious—not your identity

* Agency is after our thoughts—act within our value system

* Working through betrayal trauma (ourselves and our role to help others)

* Developing “safety and security” in a marriage comes at a price—the price of being vulnerable

* Discussion of how to create a culture of vulnerability

* Being a peacemaker—fresh perspective

This is a super powerful episode to talk sexual shame and how to develop better tools and perspectives to do better. I wish I had listened to a podcast like this a long time ago—before becoming a parent and in my church assignments. I could have done such a better job to help reduce shame and a much more positive perspective on their road to recovery.

Thank you Josh for being on the podcast. You are doing much good in our community. You give me hope.

Links:

For anyone who would like to connect, feel free to reach out or schedule a 20-minute consultation through the following:

Website: https://bigvalleytherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigvalleytherapy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@big.valley.therapy?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578825803249

Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/porn-addiction-betrayal-trauma-josh-otani-sandy-ut/1252682

If you’re a church leader, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like me to come speak with you personally or present to a group (youth, Elders Quorum, etc.).

My friends Andy and Stephanie (LDS parents of 4; living in Vancouver, Washington) join us to share their story. Andy starts with the talk he gave in Church using the line “other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation” from the Family Proclamation to talk about how to better love and support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. It is a powerful talk—one of the best I’ve heard on addressing this important topic—using church leader quotes, Christ teachings, and church resources. Andy received only positive feedback on the talk.

Stephanie and Andy then have a discussion around the process to write the talk and things they are doing to be allies in their circle of influence (including starting a local gathering group) to support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them.

If you are looking to talk about this subject (in church, family, etc) please listen to and share Andy’s talk. It will give you tools, insights, and church quotes to talk about this subject. And if you are LGBTQ, I believe Andy’s talk and the work Andy and Stephanie are doing will give you hope.

Thank you Andy and Stephanie for being on the podcast and all you are doing to create Zion. You give us all hope.

Links:

Lift and Love Gathering Groups: https://www.liftandlove.org/gatherings

Life and Love Gather Conference (Nov 2026): https://www.liftandlove.org/gather

Church Resources You May Not Know About Podcast with Barry Donakey, All Out in the Open S7 E48:

https://youtu.be/7Nqs3mk5ZyY?si=-DjlM449wWbSOX6K