In this episode of At Last She Said It, Meghan talks about concepts that have helped her to build healthy relationships and respect others’ growth.

Meghan Decker joins us this week to share ways to support LGBTQ youth.  She dives into some of the research and statistics but also shares her own life experiences and wisdom.

This is a fireside I spoke at with Becky and Scott Mackintosh. They had such a great message for family and friends of LGBTQ folks. I talked about creating safety and belonging spaces for our LGBTQ loved ones and ward members. It would be a good video to share with others who are struggling to understand how to support LGBTQ/LDS loved ones and friends.

In this podcast I return to talk with Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird about creating safe places of belonging for LGBTQ family, friends, and ward members.

“Overall, Tender Leaves of Hope: Finding Belonging as LGBTQ Latter-day Saint Women is a fine addition to the growing body of work about LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. Noteworthy for its focus on LGBTQ Latter-day Saint women, and the expansive, humble ideas at its core, Tender Leaves of Hope is ideal for LGBTQ Latter-day Saint women still learning about and coming to terms with their sexuality and latter-day saints more broadly that want to have a better understanding of some piece of the LGBTQ Latter-day Saint woman experience.”

Did you miss the event? Watch a recording of the evening on April 12th, including presentations by Ben Schilaty, Becky Mackintosh, Richard Ostler, and Meghan Decker, with Steve Kapp Perry as MC.

Meghan shares her faith journey, including her efforts to integrate her sexual orientation with her commitment to her family and religion.

“In this episode, we interview Meghan Decker (she/her). Some topics we cover include:

• The changing church teachings about LGBTQ individuals (as highlighted by the document she helped create)

• Removing the narrow expectations we have about what God would or could say

• The vital need to dispel shame and how connection and being seen are the antidote to shame”

“Meghan, who is the mother of a queer daughter in a same-sex marriage, shares gospel parenting principles to support LGBTQ children as they make their way forward and to learn to ‘let go of my agenda for my child.’ Meghan also has wonderful and practical insights to help LGBTQ Latter-day Saints feel welcome and a sense of belonging in our congregations.” ~Richard Ostler

This brief video is a gentle but powerful invitation to be curious, to listen for answers to questions, and to hear stories that open our minds to experiences beyond our own. I hope you accept the offer to explore episodes of Questions From the Closet that pique your interest.

On this podcast with Richard Ostler I discuss my life and marriage, SSA children, advice for a straight spouse, faith challenges, the new book and the amazing women who contributed to it.

“When is it too late to come out?” I loved joining Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird on their podcast Questions from the Closet. Making the decision to come out, mixed orientation marriage, sexual fluidity, shame, and faith are discussed in depth.

In this North Star fireside for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints, I share my perspective on finding peace in Christ during tumultuous times.

One of the common struggles for family members and friends of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints is finding the balance between loving the person and “condoning” behavior which is not aligned with the standards of the church. In “Is Loving Condoning? Responding to Our LGBTQ Brothers and Sisters,” I explore our responsibility to those loved ones.

“Enduring” sounds grim and passive. But “enduring" is actually an active process of growth, progression, and even joy. In this LDS Living article, I offer suggestions on how to thrive, not just survive, as you endure to the end.

“I was scared that if the Bishop found out I was depressed, I would be excommunicated.”

It was stories like these that prompted me and my friend Betsy Chatlin, a therapist, to collaborate on Reaching for Hope: An LDS Perspective on Recovering from Depression.

Over Thanksgiving we visited one of my daughters and I took her and her children to see the movie. The experience was mind-blowing. I didn’t feel as if I were in a children’s movie; I was in a 12-Step meeting, with all of the wisdom and perspective and surrender to a trusted Higher Power that I have come to love in my 12-Step meetings. May I show you what I found?

Anger has a terrible reputation in our culture. But is it deserved? Or is there a role for anger as one of the emotions that can teach us and bring us into a state of wholeness? If we tease anger apart from its unsavory companions, contention and fury, we can give ourselves permission to enjoy anger’s benefits while avoiding its potential damage.

Is my worth based on my works?

I lay in bed at the end of the day doing an inventory. I took my mom and dad to the doctor; I supported a friend who is having a hard time; I donated blood; I made my husband’s favorite dinner; I took a meal to a friend who just had surgery. Yes, it’s ok—I mattered today. But I have to start over tomorrow.

Am I alone in doing this kind of devilish inventory at the end of each day?

God knew I was hurting in that moment, and He gave me sweet reassurance and comfort. As I told my friend about this experience, she told me “God was saying to you ‘This is Me. I am seeing you.’”