Episode 469: Joseph Stith, Gay Latter-day Saint, Married Father of Two, Former Bishop

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 839 Ratings

🗓️ 22 October 2021

⏱️ 66 minutes

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Summary

My friend Joseph Stith (active LDS, Convert, Former Marine, RM from Houston, Former President of Northstar, early 60s) shares his story as a gay Latter-day Saint. Joseph talks about his healing journey with his Savior that first started with a desire to change his sexual orientation and later changed to accepting his sexual orientation. Joseph shares knowing he was gay while serving in the military and throughout his mission, his marriage and during his service as a Bishop. Joseph shares the deeply spiritual road resulting in eventually fully coming out to himself and then his dear wife. It is a deeply moving and powerful story centered on the Savior and the Temple that ultimately strengthened his marriage and his discipleship. If you are a LGBTQ Latter-day Saint or someone wanting to better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints, I believe you will enjoy this podcast. Joseph, having traveled this road for decades, has the long-view to help others new to this road. Thank you Joseph for being on the podcast and your unique life mission to bring hope and healing to others. Honored to have you on the podcast. ** Please Check Out My Book At: ** Deseret Book: www.deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome listeners to another episode of Listen, Learn, and Love, hosted by Richard Osler.
0:09.6	In my home for today's podcast is my friend Joseph Stiff.
0:13.5	Welcome to the podcast, Joseph.
0:15.2	Thank you, Richard.
0:16.5	Will you spell your last name and say it for us so we get it right?
0:20.4	It's Stith, S-T-I-T i t h just like smith but the m is a t
0:24.0	that is a very simple way to understand your name listeners joseph is somebody i i got to know virtually
0:31.6	in about 2016 five years ago when i stepped in this space and Joseph just sent me nice messages in my Facebook
0:38.8	posts and was very encouraging to me.
0:41.0	And this is the first time we have met.
0:44.1	And I'm so honored to have Joseph on the podcast.
0:47.2	By way of background, Joseph is a gay Latter-day Saint, active in the church, a married
0:52.4	father of two and four grandchildren. Joseph's been
0:56.1	married 37 years. Joseph, if I may have mentioned, is a gay Latter-day Saint, is going to share
1:01.5	his story. He's a former U.S. Marine and a drill instructor. Thank you for your service to our country,
1:08.7	Joseph. My honor. Joseph is a former bishop and has served in other callings.
1:14.2	He's a return missionary from Houston, Texas.
1:16.6	We have a soft spot in our home for Houston, Texas.
1:19.5	I married a woman from Houston, Texas, and we love that part of the world.
1:23.8	Joseph, his former president of North Star in 2017, 2018, has done wonderful work and I'm deeply
1:30.0	supportive of North Star.
1:32.7	My impression of this podcast and I think our joint prayer is that Joseph is being in his mid-60s
	...

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