The Moho Dilemma: A response to your questions

[LeeroyJ6]

please dont go on a mission

[latinoguy]

Smart and Cute , great combination

[macbrack04]

Handsome!!! get to my door NOW!!!!

[roadsideflowers]

You poor guy. You aren't recognizing that not being able to reveal who you are without being asked those stupid questions or being "respectful" is not a healthy way to live.

[tttravs]

I went on a mission from 2002-2004, and while it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life, I struggled greatly. I then went to BYU and came out in 2008, and have had a great experience being who I really am--but my heart aches everyday for what I had to give up for that.

[RunPheidippides]

But now that I am married with two young sons, my course of action is less clear. How do I reconcile authenticity with responsibility? I want to be true to myself, but I don't want to hurt my wife or sons.

I encourage you to struggle greatly with these questions before committing yourself. My faith has also faltered in part because of these irreconcilable convictions: that I have not chosen to be thus, but that God would have me not be who I have been created to be.

[246Alexandrea]

@RunPheidippides..... that God would have me not be who I have been created to be...beautiful statement:) keep it up, one day when you know yourself after the veil is lifted up i know that you would be grateful that you have chose the better part:)

[RunPheidippides]

Thanks for your honesty. What do you think of Ty Mansfield getting married? Wise decision or no? I am a gay man (age 50) married 15 years to a woman, and a strong Christian believer until a few years ago. If I had my whole life to live over again, I would *NOT* have married; I now believe that this action--even though I was open to my wife, who is a Christian, before we became engaged--was not fair to her or to me. (see next message)

[ginger56castro]

LDS are not Gay !You should never go on a mission you should fast and pray and talk to your bishop, you are only disgracing yourself and family. No church believes in this abomination none , why? because the answers all the same, check your scriptures .You either believe all or nothing, you can't pick and chose;then it's your religion, you make it. Just an observation???

[stankjawl]

@ginger56castro

Uhh, wrong. Even prophets have said that gay members can stay in good standing if they are willing to hold to the standards of the faith. While you don't have to condone homosexuality, you are far off base regarding your response to this video. It's a reality. Deal with it. This kid is clearly trying to hang on to his faith while coming to grips with what he feels is innate within him. You are wrong to attack with such insensitivity.

[stankjawl]

@ginger56castro

You are also wrong about "You either believe all or nothing". That is a foolish statement. It's ludicrous to its very core. Who are you to say what he believes? Many people believe most points of their faith but have issues with certain principles. This isn't uncommon. It is a silly assumption to make that everyone's testimony comes in one fell swoop with no reservation or concern. The people I taught as a missionary always had concerns that needed to be worked through.

[SFUofU]

David:

Been there, done that--including a mission. Please don't try to conform who you are to what the Church says you must be. Much like the Church's position on race, they will eventually have to address the fact that "normal" comprises a range of humanity--including persons who are born gay. Don't try to resolve this yourself, or the internal conflict will kill you. Do as I did and transfer out of BYU and see the world outside of Provo!!! Married 17 years in a committed gay relationship.

[Chris242tt]

I was kicked out of lds for being gay!

[N0vakDj]

Hey, I'm a gay Mormon too. Dude, you are really cute!

[locro73]

Religion is a modern way of slavery. From the beginning, the bible was manipulated and created to fit some 'men' needs and beliefs...and the world accepted it as 'the word of god'. GOD is infinite and not compressed on a book that creates controversy and hate. I am very happy to live my life the way I was created. I feel sad for those that need someone else to dictate their lives and how to live. "Jesus said: Split a piece of wood and I am there. Raise up the stone and ye shall find me there..."

[locro73]

I was born and raised into religion. I loved 'god' since I was a little kid. I wanted to be like 'jesus'. I almost became a priest. I stopped everything looking for the truth. I heard from every 'christian' religion on the planet. Only one got some questions answers. I served on a mission, returned and got married. I woke up. Got divorced and came out. I am happy. Have a partner and after 30 yrs of searching I can tell you what I found...(read next comment)

[dskar016]

I totaly commend you its hard to be religious and gay, i feel the same way you do, thank for posting this :)

[Jessilyn71]

I totally agree with everything you said. I'm glad you posted this :) I'm actually a lesbian and lds and from Utah. I moved to California about 9 months ago...Being gay in Utah is mostly just difficult when you're a teenager. You don't know how to deal with things and you can lose a lot of friends. But it's like that whenever you're in a state with a very religious background. Not just Utah and Mormons :) Some people really just don't understand. I feel torn between religion and my sexuality..

[ImLDSRU2]

I appreciate your sincere and honest discussion here. I find it to be a combination of things:

Thought Provoking

Encouraging

Challenging

Admirable

I am not gay -- not even close, but my heart is toward you and I wish I knew you personally so I could learn stuff from a gay person who I feel would not spin things.

[Longe]

Interesting video, but try & not use "ummm" every few words. It is very distracting.

[VoiceofArtfulmind]

Dear Poster,

Do you think you will live by Mormon doctrine sans the parts you disagree with, or will you use it as a template/background for your own code of morality to live by?

[gen6k]

church is useless, school already broke it. its a dead fetus.

[TayloreMishell]

Do you go to BYU? Sorry if you have answered this in a previous video/blog.

[n2thai]

A job well done. You have approached these issues with great thought.

[kuabci]

Don't you dare go on a mission. You don't believe this is the fulness of the Gospel?? How can you possibly teach it if you don't believe it? It's also not fair to your companion to worry about your possible attraction to him.

[Catereti]

Boo.

[freedom729]

Thank you for such a sincere and honest video. Watching it has given me an insight into a world I was ill informed about.

I have a similar, though less severe, problem. I was raised an Anglican of the stuffiest starched shirt variety, and have only been able to resolve the dichotomy of being gay and from that background by exiling myself from church. Your video has given me some hope that I might find a better balance.

Carry on your fight, David, and may god go with you.

[Vegasexcitement]

One of the reasons I left the LDS Church with great joy was the way the LDS Church treates others. In CA the LDS Church actively went against those that were noy bothering them and wanted to be married. This is politics and not even related to religion. The LDS should lose their tax free status. It is wrong to spread dirision, anger and cause problems like a nosey neighbor. Sorry SL, you are wrong and will go to hell for what you do.

Don, Las Vegas

[hellothere22222222]

Very well spoken. you have a blog?

[eldadevata]

So theyve change their rules regarding polygamy?

How ironic.

On one side all these religious organisations state that they are firm in their convictions, on the other side they change regulations such as this one from a day to another.

One day they will change their stand on gay issues, but their hypocrisy on numerous other issues will still be there.

[seaman93555]

I have been on a Mormon Mission in 1972 - 1975 and served in Southern California - I am also gay, though at the time I was ignorant there were other people, like me. While on my mission, I encountered at least one other missionary, who I am certain was gay. He kissed me one time on the lips and I shrank back in repulsion, since the Church has such different views than the way I feel. I am currently out and have been ex-communicated from the Church. I hope this helps.

[speculativeinsf]

What is your blog?

[mlg74]

Whether you can go on a mission or not, remember the Lord is merciful and loves you.

[PeterOrszagCallMe]

Will the church actually allow you to go on a mission? I was under the impression they wouldn't let you but I've been out of the church so long I don't know.