167: Weston Smith | Gay Mormon Missionary: Survivor

167: Weston Smith | Gay Mormon Missionary: Survivor

Weston Smith came out as gay while his dad was serving as a bishop in the Mormon church. His parents were understanding, but navigating life a gay Mormon teen, trying to better understand your sexuality, and remain the "best" Mormon possible is often a recipe for disaster.

Weston was no stranger to the turmoil that often comes from being gay and Mormon—a situation, for Wes, that led to serious suicidal ideation. He ultimately decided to serve a mission as an "out" gay Mormon, but even in the mission field the suicidal thoughts persisted. It was there, on his mission, that he resolved to leave the church and live an authentic, happy life.

After leaving his mission early and finding complete familial support, Weston has thrived. He recently published a memoir titled, "This Body of Water", detailing his journey and what the future looks like for him.

A copy of Weston's book is available at WestonSmithBooks.com.

Weston's father, Evan, shared his individual story with LatterGayStories as episode 166 on this podcast.

#LatterGayStories #ThisBodyofWater #WestonSmith #Love #Honesty

Episoder(97)

151: Cole and Kent | Our Real-Life Gay Mormon Love Story

151: Cole and Kent | Our Real-Life Gay Mormon Love Story

They're back! Cole Rasmussen (episode 145) and Kent Carollo (episode 142) sit down together—as a couple to share their story of dating, connection, and engagement.    Where do gay Latter-day Sai...

10 Nov 20211h 21min

150: Mormon Parents of a Gay Child: When Dogma Collides with Ignorance

150: Mormon Parents of a Gay Child: When Dogma Collides with Ignorance

There isn't a manual or Sunday school lesson that teaches us how to prepare for our child's coming out experience. For parents (especially Mormon ones,) you often feel wholly unprepared for the news. ...

22 Sep 20211h 16min

149: James Kent | Aloha to Authenticity and Love

149: James Kent | Aloha to Authenticity and Love

In this special outdoor episode, we sit down with James Kent in the beautiful Iao Valley on the island of Maui, Hawaii. James shares a stunning history of Hawai'i including the native Hawai'ian's resp...

8 Sep 20211h 10min

148: Tommy Francesco | The Kiss That Kicked Me Out of BYU

148: Tommy Francesco | The Kiss That Kicked Me Out of BYU

As a convert to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tommy Francesco wanted to do what was right. He studied with the missionaries, joined the church, obeyed the word of wisdom, served a m...

27 Aug 20211h 24min

147: Brandon Spevak | Rearranging Everything That Was Comfortable in My Life

147: Brandon Spevak | Rearranging Everything That Was Comfortable in My Life

Brandon Spevak's life was familiar to many Latter-day Saints. He served in leadership callings, he married his wife in the temple, and together they started to raise their young family. In the midst o...

11 Aug 20211h 14min

146: Tate and Kara: Mixed Orientation Marriage

146: Tate and Kara: Mixed Orientation Marriage

Over the last six decades, Latter-day Saint leaders encouraged mixed orientation marriages as the only best option available to gay Mormons. Many gay Latter-day Saints used these types of marriages to...

28 Jul 20211h 4min

145: Cole Rasmussen | Reconciling My Faith By Accepting My Sexuality

145: Cole Rasmussen | Reconciling My Faith By Accepting My Sexuality

In an office at the Church Office Building—overlooking the angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake Temple, Cole received a blessing from Elder Cook. In that blessing Cole was promised that he would be able to...

8 Jul 20211h 6min

143: Love: From Our Perspective | Fathers of Gay Sons

143: Love: From Our Perspective | Fathers of Gay Sons

Let's face it, no parent expects (or can adequately prepare) for their child to come out. With few social and religious resources available to help parents navigate this journey, where do you turn whe...

21 Jun 20211h 11min

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