Episode 687: Braden Duncan, Gay Latter-day Saint

My friend Braden Duncan (married father of 4, Active LDS, Therapist, Lives in Arkansas, age 40) joins us the share his remarkable story. Braden talks about growing up in Midway Utah and coming out to his Bishop (good experience and the good advice he received). Braden then talks about the “wise counsel” he wishes he been given before entering into his mixed-orientation marriage to his wife Jessi. He talks about how not talking about it before they married took away Jessi’s right to make a more informed decision. Braden and Jessi are now working hard to increase the strength and health of their marriage. Braden talks about his OCD and how this was more of a coping mechanism to have control while not addressing to the core which was his sexuality. In one of the most moving segments of any podcast, Braden shares what he has learned about the character of God and Jesus and their “passionate love”, “complete trust, and “underserved forgiveness”. The God that Braden describes is the God that I believe in—the God that loves us and wants us to feel hope, peace, and their grace. This isn’t theoretical for Braden—but personal from the hard work done to know and worship this God. Bradon also talks about the loss of their son Ben to leukemia and how he is learning to “hold onto your faith in a new way” and what we can do to better support families dealing with death. This is a powerful podcast that will help all Latter-day Saints. Thank you Bradon for your courage to share your story. You are brave. You are a good man! Links: Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143 Richard Ostler Book: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: Deseret Book: deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints?variant_id=189035-paperback Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462135773 Index of Podcasts: listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts