Hi, I'm Dave

[atomikwrek]

Hey everyone...my name is Dave. I'm gay and also a member of 2 different restoration movement churches, LDS and RLDS (Community of Christ). I'm looking forward to getting to know others and make some new friends. I love sharing experiences with others and engaging in critical and/or uplifting dialogue. Some other LDS or former LDS may have questions concerning my church membership and they are welcome to ask questions as well as anyone else.

Dave

[u-dog]

Hey everyone...my name is Dave. I'm gay and also a member of 2 different restoration movement churches, LDS and RLDS (Community of Christ). I'm looking forward to getting to know others and make some new friends. I love sharing experiences with others and engaging in critical and/or uplifting dialogue. Some other LDS or former LDS may have questions concerning my church membership and they are welcome to ask questions as well as anyone else.

Dave


Hi Dave,

I'm Dave also. Welcome to the forums. We are a pretty open and accepting group of people, feel free to join in the conversations. Can you tell us non-Mormons what RLDS stands for and what Community of Christ is and what "restoration movement" means? And how does your being a gay man fit into all of those catagories? I understand that there are out gay Mormons who feel that in order to be faithful they must be celibate. Does that describe you? or is your understanding different than that? We look forward to learning more about you (only as much as you are comfortable sharing of course!)

Dave aka U-dog

[dsdrane]

I'm a Dave also...but prefer David. I think it has something to do with David Niven...or the Duke of Windsor...I'm not really sure.

Anyhoo, yes, please do tell us more about yourself.

And welcome!

[Zerbie]

Hi Dave,

Well, unlike the two gentlemen who posted above me, my name is not David - but - it was going to be if I had been born a guy. That was the name my parents had picked out for me, so that means we have 4 David's posting here so far, 3 literal Davids and one Honorary, or Almost.

:rofl:

Joking aside. I know a number of Mormons, but not really any out gay Mormons who still go to church. As I understand, that is not allowed? I have No idea what RLDS means. What is it?

[Unmasked]

My friend Laura is...well...I'm not sure what she is. I know she has had relationships with women, but she's extremely anti-social, and she hates the church. She was seduced by a Mormon missionary and then dumped after she converted. Now she's there and doesn't know how to get out of the church without having people breathing down her neck. She still goes, but it's out of a sense of obligation.

Anyhow, nice to have you here!

[paul]

I'm a Dave also...but prefer David. I think it has something to do with David Niven...or the Duke of Windsor...I'm not really sure.

Anyhoo, yes, please do tell us more about yourself.

And welcome!

giggle. From now on, I'm going to read everything you write with a Brittish accent just to enhace the image.

Okay Dave 1,

Welcome :wave:.

I to look forward to getting to know you and about your beliefs. Ditto all of Dave 2's questions. Add to that, how are you received among other Mormons?
paul

[atomikwrek]

Hi Dave,

I'm Dave also. Welcome to the forums. We are a pretty open and accepting group of people, feel free to join in the conversations. Can you tell us non-Mormons what RLDS stands for and what Community of Christ is and what "restoration movement" means? And how does your being a gay man fit into all of those catagories? I understand that there are out gay Mormons who feel that in order to be faithful they must be celibate. Does that describe you? or is your understanding different than that? We look forward to learning more about you (only as much as you are comfortable sharing of course!)

Dave aka U-dog

RLDS stands for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It second largest church that has claims to being the church that Joseph Smith started. In 2001, the RLDS church changed its name to the Community of Christ. The restoration movement is the movement started by Joseph Smith that reclaims the need for a prophet and apostles and quorums of the seventy.

As most know, being gay and Mormon is somewhat of a big "No-No". However, in the RLDS (Community of Christ) there is more tolerance and acceptance. The RLDS even have an organization called GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance). I know it doesn't seem 'all inclusive' but it is.

I joined the RLDS church a few years back because they taught principles that I believed in and accepted me for who I am.

However, there still seems to be a dark cloud over my head concerning the LDS church (Mormon). Members of the church don't seem to understand that this is the path I have chosen. They still try to indoctrinate their 'truth' into my skull. Don't get me wrong...I still love each and every one of them. They are part of my heritage.

If you have anymore questions, just ask.

Dave

[u-dog]

RLDS stands for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It second largest church that has claims to being the church that Joseph Smith started. In 2001, the RLDS church changed its name to the Community of Christ. The restoration movement is the movement started by Joseph Smith that reclaims the need for a prophet and apostles and quorums of the seventy.

As most know, being gay and Mormon is somewhat of a big "No-No". However, in the RLDS (Community of Christ) there is more tolerance and acceptance. The RLDS even have an organization called GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance). I know it doesn't seem 'all inclusive' but it is.

I joined the RLDS church a few years back because they taught principles that I believed in and accepted me for who I am.

However, there still seems to be a dark cloud over my head concerning the LDS church (Mormon). Members of the church don't seem to understand that this is the path I have chosen. They still try to indoctrinate their 'truth' into my skull. Don't get me wrong...I still love each and every one of them. They are part of my heritage.

If you have anymore questions, just ask.

Dave


Where does the church's position leave you as a gay man? Do you feel entitled in your own heart to find another man and share your life and body with him? Or do you feel an obligation to remain celibate? If this is too personal... just tell me to mind my own business!;)

[scrupulous_stoic]

However, there still seems to be a dark cloud over my head concerning the LDS church (Mormon). Members of the church don't seem to understand that this is the path I have chosen. They still try to indoctrinate their 'truth' into my skull. Don't get me wrong...I still love each and every one of them. They are part of my heritage.


My parents are Mormon, as well as most of their friends, so I know exactly what you mean.

Welcome! My name is Bennett!

[Gennee]

Welcome to soulforce, Dave.

Gennee

:wave:

[antiochian]

howdy! my name isn"t dave :( it"s jeff and my computer keyboard is being weird at the moment and not letting me type in periods and commas the main difference between rlds or coc and lds is that the former believed the church leadership should fall on one of smith"s blood relatives after his death where the lds gave leadership to brigham young is that not so? thats great that the rlds accept glbtq folks another alternative for those of us who are fed up with homophobic churches! welcome!

[atomikwrek]

howdy! my name isn"t dave :( it"s jeff and my computer keyboard is being weird at the moment and not letting me type in periods and commas the main difference between rlds or coc and lds is that the former believed the church leadership should fall on one of smith"s blood relatives after his death where the lds gave leadership to brigham young is that not so? thats great that the rlds accept glbtq folks another alternative for those of us who are fed up with homophobic churches! welcome!

Antiochian:You are right. The RLDS church believes that Joseph Smith gave his son Joseph Smith III a blessing of designation to be the leader of the church. The LDS chose Brigham Young.

U-Dog: I choose to share my life and body with another person so long as we are fully committed to each other. I have never had a promiscuous stage and I don't intend to do so.

I'm starting to get a little bit older (I'm only 24) and it's time to start thinking about more serious things (other than school) like finally engaging in a relationship. I have never dated a guy before. Thank God for uncharted territory. :D

Dave

[u-dog]

Antiochian:You are right. The RLDS church believes that Joseph Smith gave his son Joseph Smith III a blessing of designation to be the leader of the church. The LDS chose Brigham Young.

U-Dog: I choose to share my life and body with another person so long as we are fully committed to each other. I have never had a promiscuous stage and I don't intend to do so.

I'm starting to get a little bit older (I'm only 24) and it's time to start thinking about more serious things (other than school) like finally engaging in a relationship. I have never dated a guy before. Thank God for uncharted territory. :D

Dave

Blessings on the beginning of your journey!

[Vanessa White]

Hey Dave: Welcome to the forums. I know very little about the Mormon faith, yet it sounds like you have found some level of support in the Community of Christ. Embarking on the journey of relationship is exciting, frustrating, overwhelming, and freeing, as well as a hundred other things. It is all well worth it. My partner and I are together for almost 12 years. We have had our struggles, but we are bonded for life, I believe.

So glad you found us here. :love::love:

[atomikwrek]

Thank you everyone for your support and fellowship. I expect great things from involving myself with this group. Much Love!

Dave:love:

[Zerbie]

Best wishes to you Dave.

I know several Mormons, and though I haven't asked deep and probing questions about their faith I have some sense of the difficulty around being both gay and Mormon. It sounds like you have already found peace within yourself (that's the only aspect of it you're directly responsible for, really), and a balanced perspective - already as a young man. That's really terrific!You sound like you're in a good healthy place right now, and ready to embrace the future. Makes me happy to hear of it. :)

[Jennifer5]

Welcome DAVE! :)