The Inner Ramblings of Lauren

This weekend I went to the Affirmation Conference in Provo, Utah. Before I get into sharing my experience, I will say that I was incredibly fortunate to see and meet some truly remarkable people. People like Troy Williams, Tom Christofferson, Jana Reiss, Peter Moosman, Jen Blair, Jodie Palmer, Blaire Ostler, Drew Ostler, Amanda Farr, Lindsay Hansen Park, Mica Nicole, John Bonner, Laura Skaggs Dulin, Augustus Crosby, Jason Michael Walker, Michael Klein, Heather Deklerk Kester and her brave daughter Savannah and so many more. For all that you do and contribute, I see you and I truly thank you. I’ve been debating how to share my experience, so let’s just start at the very beginning, because it’s a very good place to start. I went in to this conference a little nervous, but cautiously optimistic. I know a couple people who are involved with Affirmation and was told by friends that it would be really good for me. So, I took those things into consideration and went. Saturday morning s...

Every time I think that the LDS church is making progress or taking a step in the right direction, they do something to undo the “good” that was previously seen.  Just last week, The Mormon Channel on YouTube released “The Mackintosh's Story - A Son Comes Out and a Family Loves” ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1bgooicLEE&app=desktop ). While I have my own issues with that video, like Sister Mackintosh commenting that she should be in the corner crying, but she gave her hurt to the Savior, so everything is ok, when she shouldn’t be crying at all. She shouldn’t be sad that her son is gay. She should celebrate with him and be happy that he is alive and happy and living his truth. I truly believe that being gay is a spiritual blessing. I believe that my existence and my life since I came out has taught people around me patience and understanding, and opened them up to a world they previously dismissed. But alas, I digress… Today, the article "The War Goes On" ...