Mormon Stories

[@erinrametta1]

This mother is absolutely amazing. These are the kind of mothers that we should hold with the highest respect, admiration, and support

[@ShimekRiverGirl]

What an intelligent, articulate woman. My teen kids and I left the church 14 years ago--we are happy and healthy. And I'm especially glad we left because one of my kids is bisexual. No place for them in the church. We are happier and healthier outside the church!

[@AlisaMichelle79]

I’ve watched a lot of these episodes and my heart broke when I watched her story. John, I’ll be forever grateful for all you do and for creating this platform for people to share their stories in a neutral space.

[@alanam9103]

I'm sorry she had to suffer so much! The truth has set her free!

[@krissee6961]

Donna, your beautiful son is absolutely a gift to be thankful for🙏💗

[@andreadiamond7115]

I love Donna! More Donna please!

[@tamicoudron760]

What a beautiful and kind soul ❤️

[@gigi1332]

"LOVED" the comment "I know they wouldn't lied to me " They lied about EVERYTHING!! And shattered thousands of lives by doing so!! 💔💔😪

[@juliealm4646]

What a beautiful soul Donnna! I send a virtual hug and am deeply touched by your authentic courage and voice.

[@saxyricks4731]

Donna, thanks to you and your son for sharing your wonderful story. The scriptures suggest to us that healings are common and predicated on individual faith and worthiness. The Catch 22 is that this sends the message that we aren't worthy of God's intercession. People struggle to understand this, and so do I- so do leaders of the Church. Yet they feel obligated to perpetuate the myth. Why?

[@Wasatch_Sasquatch]

saxy Ricks this interview’s so scripted and at an almost detectable rehearsed pace it progresses thru such tragic examples of faith in crisis, one after another, happening to a faithful women at every turn, it starts to become rather overtly melodramatic...it’s like an info-mercial. Take for example the story of her rainbow bracelet. First she wears it innocent of any knowledge it represents lbgtq sentiments (come on, really?) then a brash relative confronts her equally oblivious husband about what his wife’s bracelet means and suggests that they themselves ought to get the Stake Pres. involved for some disciplinary action toward their son who shouldn’t be living with them and bringing his friends over to their home. Then suddenly it jumps to she IS wearing it because she knows what it means after all because it is to support the unfair exclusion and plight of unjust treatment of her gay son that faces institutionalized bigotry in a church she blindly devoted herself to using copious relatable examples meant to relate to every common member’s experiences. It’s an anti-Mormon hit piece. I doubt they’re even using real examples of real people and they’re asking for donations. Beware, is all I got to say and be not deceived. All people are loved in the church and none are turned away as portrayed here.

[@kristinaanderson4160]

What could be more like God’s love than a mother’s love for her children? ❤️

[@annacrawford1113]

I agree. There's nothing like a mother's love.

[@ladyatlarge3844]

With a gay sister, the November policy was the final straw on the whole pile of straw for 4 of my parent's 5 children. I don't know how my parents can connect all the dots and keep believing, but they are the parents who just got back from serving their second full time mission for the church and then went to gay pride a few weeks ago with the rest of us. True believers on one hand and yet supporting their kids. My heart is open to them and the struggle they must have and the pain they must feel with their love and deep belief in the church and their kids who are no longer a part of it. I wish of course that the November policy had been their final straw too, but my own faith journey was traumatizing and painful and I truly don't want that for them.

[@naomistewart6252]

You can NOT support guy pride and Honor God. Bible says you can ONLY serve one GOD! GOD is a jealous God, He will Not tolerate evil, or be put second. His commandments are to be upheld and To serve NO OTHER gods is a very long commandment. Exodus 20. GOD does NOT change, He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

[@naomistewart6252]

Jesus says NO ONE is good! We are ALLL bad, evil, in our hearts. Which is WAY Christ HAD to die for us. To cover our sins so we have an advocate to the Father. Christ is the ONLY WAY

[@Ex-LDS]

Great woman!

[@andreadiamond7115]

Gonna say it again. A top 3 Mormon Story for this never-in. Donna is among Jeremy Runnells and Sandra Tanner (w/o the Christ stuff for me) as my favorite 3 podcasts here. I would love a follow up!

[@lauricewilde4038]

I freaking love you Donna!

[@ernest3286]

Thank you for sharing this 😭

[@kentthalman4459]

If apostles could cure gay people Todd would have healed his brother years ago.

[@johnboy8496]

For sure! They are all frauds and they know it. If he could have changed something wouldn't he? Like Jesus did. It's a completely different God. I feel so sorry for Mormons.

[@lauricewilde4038]

Good point

[@Caremuffin7]

11 minute mark... Talking about how they can't respond to every request to heal being gay. Is this an eternal salvation for a soul or not?the fact that they won't even try to heal these people shows their disbelief even as apostles. This is so heartbreaking. The level of her emotion is so immense.

[@mkcinc23]

Love your story. I have several questions about the church like a lot people. I have a brother that takes things wrong leaders and even members in the church say all the time. (short version) One example he reads older church talks. He read a talk from Spencer Kimble on birth control. He feels it's a sin. It drives me crazy he would still take that as doctrine in 2019. I honestly feel things get taken wrong all the time. (My opinion) I have to say I disagree on how the church would ask you to shun your son. I get why you would feel that way. I'm with a lot of people on the fact church has botched this subject. John's Ted talks changed my view on this. It was pretty powerful! Everyone should take time and listen to it. Including the leaders of the church.

[@kentthalman4459]

No doubt that current Church leaders constantly dismiss comments made by past ones. This is an important because members need to keep in mind how temporary current opinions are, even ones claimed to be received by revelation.

[@catchyadreams]

What a beautiful soul. This is totally heart rending. Where is the LDS church heading ?

[@rony6472Chile]

Hola. I'm from south America and I have a question. She said there was a book that she did not want to read because some LDS members had left the church after reading it. What's this book name? Minute 41-43 on the video. Thanks.

[@dicebagdaryl]

Deprogramming takes years. More power to you. :)

[@caylencraven9040]

Does anybody know what seminary video she was talking about?

[@catchyadreams]

So Sad, Apostle HollAnd would not pray / bless Michael and it seems that the local leaders did not either on his behalf. Is this a dead prophet society ?

[@pollywinkle2451]

So did she quit the church? The feeling the book of Mormon is true is a witness from the Holy Ghost, not just a feeling. Is the church true despite withholding the blacks from the priesthood for years? Yes. Is the church true despite the polygamy time? Yes. is the church true despite saying no marriage for gays? Yes. One question or misunderstanding does not make the 90% that we know is true , not true. I have a friend whose divorced gay daughter married another divorced woman. They are such good people and so happy and good mothers. My friend says there has to be a special place in heaven for gays. Maybe the lowest part of the celestial kingdom? Who knows right now? My wonderful granddaughter who also suffers from extreme depression and anxiety married her girlfriend. Her bishop and past bishop asked to be there at the wedding. There was so much love there for them that you could feel it. They both have testimonies, they both go to church, they are not excommunicated for getting married to the same sex. The answers will come.

[@allmychis]

Donna Showalter. You may never see this post. I appreciate your story. I’m a convert to the church through extensive study in Near Death and After Death experiences. Despite the churches flaws I could not any other church that has more knowledge of the “truth” than the LDS....but there are things they don’t know YET. I was raised very conservative non denominational Christian so I was taught that “gay and Christian” did not work together. It’s especially worse in some Christian circles believe it or not because it is just a “Heaven or Hell” doctrine which is terrible to think about. There are “levels” in the spirit world that are hard to explain in human terms. I want you to know as a latter day saint that has knowledge of the spirit world that you son is special and has a unique purpose to teach all of us. I very much recommend the book “CROSSING OVER AND COMING HOME”....the near death experiences from those that identify as gay and have died. You will realize that God has a plan and it’s amazing. The church will be revealed the full truth in time. It takes people like your son to fulfill his mission to teach us all. I’m sorry for your struggle and I wish you the best.

[@danaleedavis9144]

I am so sorry that her feelings were hurt. But I agree with the aspect that was brought up. He can't respond to every inquiry. He doesn't have enough time. Her husband held the priesthood. He could have given his own son a blessing. Elder Holland knows that.

[@susanjoyce8053]

Maybe the prophet or elder, knew he didn’t have power to heal. Maybe your child does have an angel.

[@carlosbyu100]

True prophets of God are fallible. Only the Pope is infallible (chuckling). Also what the true prophets speak is not the word of God until the Holy Ghost testifies to your soul that it is the word of God. So, Donna never got this right in the first place.

[@naomistewart6252]

I know several people who Jesus Christ has delivered from a reprobate mind. God's word says if those people refuse to listen to HIM, He will give them over to a reprobate mind and belive a lie, let them be damned for Hell.

[@naomistewart6252]

It's because it's a false religion. It is NOT the way to Heaven. There's ONLY 1(ONE) Way, 1 TRUTH, but people refuse to hear, believe in HIS Name, Word, way! JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN