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Ellen Features BYU Valedictorian Whose Message Went Viral

Latter-day Saint Matt Easton's powerful valedictorian speech has been shared across the nation, and he recently appeared on Ellen to share more of his remarkable story.

Latter-day Saint Life

4 Valuable Resources for Latter-day Saints Experiencing Same-Sex Attraction

By LDS Living

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn’t always easy—especially if you or a loved one identify as LGBTQ or experience same-sex attraction. The Church's official website, mormonandgay.lds.org, is a great place to start. In addition, here are four valuable resources for Latter-day Saints who are personally experiencing same-sex attraction, or for those who need help knowing how to support someone close to them who is. These books, written by gospel scholars and individuals who experience it personally, are meant to provide hope, help you move forward with faith, and help you understand God’s unconditional love for you as you figure out your individual path in the gospel with His help.

Latter-day Saint Life

Gay Latter-day Saint Shares Heartfelt Message All Members Need to Read: "It Gets Better"

By Tom Christofferson

The following is an excerpt from That We May Be One, A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith & Family by Tom Christofferson.

Latter-day Saint Life

One Gay Man's Powerful Journey Away from the Church and Back Again (+ Important Insights for Families and Ward Members)

By Jamie Armstrong

Editor’s Note: LGBTQ issues are sensitive and complex. The following article is about one man’s journey and is not in any way meant to suggest that his experience is the right experience for others. We thank Tom Christofferson for graciously sharing his story in an effort to foster greater understanding and a more open dialogue about LGBTQ issues in the Church.

June LDS Living Book Club: Join Ben Schilaty, a gay BYU Honor Code administrator, for ‘A Walk in My Shoes’

In 2017, President M. Russell Ballard counseled, “We need to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly, we must do better than we have done in the past so that all members feel they have a spiritual home where their brothers and sisters love them and where they have a place to worship and serve the Lord” (BYU Devotional, November 14, 2017).

Embracing the man behind the mask: How being Cosmo the Cougar led one man to accept God's will—and himself

By Danielle Christensen

Charlie Bird rotated his body in a perfect flip. It was the type of movement that was so familiar, the execution was more than just muscle memory now—it was a part of him. The man who had performed as Brigham Young University’s mascot, Cosmo the Cougar, and who had danced in ESPN’s 2017 College Football Awards, was simply doing what he had always done, defying gravity and soaring through the air.

Latter-day Saint Life

How the New U.S. Civil Rights Report Contradicts What Church Leaders Have Been Saying

The following is an opinion piece written by the editorial staff at the Deseret News.

Famous Latter-day Saints

Watch: Dave Checketts Opens Mission President Call, His Family's Reaction is Priceless

By LDS Living

Thanks to the Deseret News for making us aware of this video.

Join us for our August LDS Living Book Club Pick: ‘Without the Mask’

In February 2019, Charlie Bird wrote a guest opinion piece for Deseret News in which he revealed two parts of his identity: he was the Cosmo the Cougar who starred in viral dance videos with Brigham Young University’s Cougarettes, and he was gay.

Latter-day Saint Life

Muslims and Mormons Worship and Fast Together Following Orlando Shooting

On Sunday, June 26, 2016, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those of the Long Beach mosque held an interfaith service, according to the Long Beach Post. This service was held just two weeks after the Orlando shooting where 49 were killed.