tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post4341539175497243629..comments2023-12-31T05:01:58.031-06:00Comments on Young Stranger: Why I Am Running for President of AffirmationJohn Gustav-Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03557940681381951271noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-80033253978835488382015-08-22T14:40:38.535-05:002015-08-22T14:40:38.535-05:00I have always been impressed with your writing and...I have always been impressed with your writing and now I am excited to see your leadership!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11814495288142840602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-85313045335183592862015-08-20T00:33:52.016-05:002015-08-20T00:33:52.016-05:00I wish to offer my full support to you, John.
As...I wish to offer my full support to you, John. <br /><br />As others have already stated, you are the humble visionary, follower of the Savior, and giver of kind compassion to all that an organization such as Affirmation needs. I do not belong to Affirmation, not sure how to join, not sure I'd be a member even if I knew how to join. I just know that knowing you as I do, having had my life blessed so richly because of my friendship with you, that you are the right human being for president, right now. Best of luck. I love you, DuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-17354877693863112152015-08-20T00:04:15.669-05:002015-08-20T00:04:15.669-05:00Edward - Earlier this evening I had a meeting with...Edward - Earlier this evening I had a meeting with my bishop. We meet on a regular basis to talk about my journey of faith as a gay Mormon. He considers my regular attendance, my care for my husband, my testimony of Christ and of the Church, my service in the LGBT community, and my efforts to live as much of the Gospel as I can as faithful. I don't think it's a stretch to use the term faithful in this way!John Gustav-Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03557940681381951271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-7701861134021415092015-08-19T15:16:04.383-05:002015-08-19T15:16:04.383-05:00Thanks for the clarification John. I guess I got c...Thanks for the clarification John. I guess I got caught on the word "faithful". In the Mormon context being faithful usually does not include people living unorthodox lives, such as being in a same-sex marriage (which is where I am). I suspect that in this instance you yourself are intending a much broader meaning for the word, but you have to admit that for most Mormons "faithful" is a code word for temple recommend-carrying members who toe the Church line without question. If the word faithful were not in that sentence it might feel more inclusive for those who follow unorthodox paths that the institutional Church would frown upon, and would certainly not deem to be faithful. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14364484623565981392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-7663829036074146722015-08-19T14:38:44.940-05:002015-08-19T14:38:44.940-05:00Edward, the difference is that Affirmation doesn&#...Edward, the difference is that Affirmation doesn't prescribe any one way to find one's way forward, and doesn't exclude individuals in same-sex relationships.John Gustav-Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03557940681381951271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-58135865461457607332015-08-19T14:02:25.241-05:002015-08-19T14:02:25.241-05:00Affirmation would be lucky to have someone as thou...Affirmation would be lucky to have someone as thoughtful and articulate as you at its head. But if the first mission of Affirmation is "supporting LGBT individuals in finding faithful ways forward as Latter-day Saints" how is that really any different from North Star?If you think there is a real difference between the two organizations, I would be interested to know what specific mission Affirmation has that North Star cannot or does not fulfill. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14364484623565981392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018387523779914474.post-24563965793927074832015-08-19T11:43:20.013-05:002015-08-19T11:43:20.013-05:00John, you are exactly the humble, visionary indivi...John, you are exactly the humble, visionary individual that Affirmation needs at this time. My prayers are with you. I will always hold dear to my heart the memory of sitting behind you in the Choir at the testimony meeting at the conference last year and, with arms embracing those to either side of you, watching you, an excommunicated Mormon, singing with great feeling "The Spirit of God." Thank you for being such an example to me and so many others. REDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09704304983271890282noreply@blogger.com