My friend Jacob Troxel (who recorded this podcast three weeks after his successful mission in Canada Edmonton) joins us to bravely share his experiences as a gay Latter-day Saint and one of the first openly gay missionaries in the Church (which is noted on his Facebook profile). Jacob (who grew up in Camarillo) talks about realizing he might be different around age 12 and then came out to his Bishop and parents at age 16. Jacob talks about how he probably wouldn’t have stayed in the Church without the loving first response from his Bishop. Jacob talks about a powerful spiritual experience where his belief in God shifted from “having a testimony that He doesn’t love someone like me—to God is perfectly loving and loves me.” That is the anchor knowledge that has given Jacob peace as a gay Latter-day Saint and his burning desire to serve a mission so others could know that important gospel truth. Jacob takes us on his mission and shares the both the difficult experiences and the positive ones—ones where lives were changed. Jacob talks about the importance of proximity with stories of how companions did a “180” to full love, understand and support Jacob. These stories give me hope. Jacob also talks about how investigators and members concluded from Jacob’s example that “if there is room for Elder Troxel in the Church, maybe there is room for me.” Jacob is honest the positive experiences—made possible because he was open—and how those were matched by deeply wounding experiences which reminds me of Zechariah 13:6 “…. wounded in the house of my friends.” Jacob talks about boundaries, being honest with his pain, and finding grace for others. Jacob talks about his supportive parents as he makes his way forward. This is one of the best podcasts we’ve done as I was so moved listening to Jacob—a very mature soul. If you are considering a mission, on a mission or want to better support queer Latter-day Saints, this podcast will help you. Thank you, Jacob, for your serve in Canada and helping many feel the love of God and a home in our restored Church. Thank you for your courage to serve—you are a trailblazer for others who will walk this road. Thank you for helping us expanding the boarders of Zion so more feel welcome, understood, and needed in our Church and beyond. You have a great life ahead of you! Lists: Jacob’s e-mail: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacob.troxel.18 Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacobrtroxel/ Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-Day Saint FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143