Episode 742: Scott Grover, Gay British Latter-day Saint, Left Church for 18 Years, Returned

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 839 Ratings

🗓️ 8 March 2024

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

My friend Scott Gover (late 40’s, lives north of London, left church in his 20’s, returned 18 years later, active for last 11 years) joins us to share his story. Scott starts with his growing up years having a deep testimony of the Church and also realizing his was gay. After many unanswered prayers to change his sexual orientation, Scott concluded “I was so evil, that I was beyond God’s love and the atonement” and was going to end up somewhere between “outer darkness and the telestial kingdom.” It’s heartbreaking to hear Scott’s conclusions—which are logical conclusions for a closeted gay Latter-day Saint. Scott talks about eventually leaving the Church for 18 years—even with a testimony of the Church all those years. Scott talks talking to Elder Murdock and Cuche and deeply spiritual experience including Elder Murdock’s testimony that led Scott back into the Church. Scott talks about a disciplinary council (positive experience) that returned him to full fellowship, a Stake that put him to work (Elder Quorum President, High Councilor, etc), and a loving a supportive Ward family including his lifelong friend Lillian. It is a beautiful story of belonging and creating Zion. Scott talks about living “without all the answers” for queer people in the Church and his hope for more light and understanding. Scott talks about his Stake Conference talk (see show notes) being led by the Spirit to talk about being a gay Latter-day Saint—and all the positive/supportive comments he received. I was so moved listening to Scott. His spiritual maturity, his ability to survive his early years, his journey out and then back into the Church, his support system, and all the good he is going to help others feel God’s love and the healing powerful of the Atonement. Scott is helping expand the boarders of Zion and bring more hope, unity, and healing." Links: Stake Conference Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsM3SvNqFTs&t=3660s E-mail: [email protected] Blog: http://www.thebookofgrover.co.uk/ Facebook Group to Support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome listeners to another episode of Listen, Learn, and Love, hosted by Richard Osler.
0:10.0	On today's podcast, we have my new friend, a gay Latter-day Saints, zooming in from England.
0:18.0	Scott Grover, welcome to the podcast, Scott.
0:23.5	Thank you. Welcome for having me. Thank you for the invite.
0:29.2	We have a Facebook group listeners called Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.
0:37.1	There's about 4,000 in that group, and we'll put in the show notes, the Facebook group, if you want to join.
0:44.6	But one day I was reading the comments, and this guy named Scott Grover, who I didn't know, made this incredibly thoughtful, mature comment.
0:46.9	And I just reached out to him.
0:50.4	I said, Scott, you know, would you share your story as a gay Latter-day Saint? And on the podcast, and he said, sure.
0:53.4	And since then, I've learned a little bit more about
0:56.2	Scott. He was born a member of the church. He realized he was attracted to men in his teenage
1:02.3	years. He left the church for about 18 years. He came back to the church. He's been in the church
1:07.8	for 11 years. He gave a talk in his state conference. He probably will talk about that. We'll link to been in the church for 11 years. He gave a talk in his state conference.
1:11.7	He probably will talk about that.
1:13.8	We'll link to it in the show notes about his journey as a gay Latterty saint.
1:18.7	It was really brave.
1:19.6	It was really vulnerable.
1:20.9	It really helps us create Zion.
1:23.8	We'll link to that.
1:24.9	And the show notes, as I mentioned, we'll also link to his blog and the show notes.
1:29.7	But just a really thoughtful Latter-day Saint who's been on this road for a long time
1:34.3	and I'm really honored to have him in the podcast.
	...

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