Day of Blessings That Never Stops

Day of Blessings That Never Stops
First thing this morning, my father was scheduled for a knee replacement. I was feeling nervous. All I could do was pray and give it to God.
Today is P–Day for Missionaries, which means they are given nine hours a week that they’re allowed to fill their private time i.e. grocery shopping, laundry, emailing their parents and so on. The Manchester Sister’s had asked me if I would do a home teaching at 12 PM with someone looking into our church. WOW, talk about dedication. After that was over, I had to go to the hospital to sit with my mom and wait for my father’s surgery to be completed.
Excruciating, as it took longer than expected. Again all I could do was just pray and give it to God.

Nothing like a priesthood blessing when you’re in the hospital or feeling sick.

After texting the Hartford Elders “Spanish speaking missionaries,” to assist in offering my father a blessing after his surgery, they arrived at the hospital around 7 PM. I asked one elder if he would seal the oil, and the other to provide the blessing as I felt compelled they needed to do this and I would just partake in the laying of the hands.
WOW!!! The Holy Ghost never lets you down, as the presence was felt throughout the entire room. I could not believe right in front of my very own eyes for the first time my father was allowing “The Mormons,” to perform a blessing. Dad was so polite afterward, he thanked everyone for the blessing.
I didn’t realize the elders were without a car and I had asked politely if I could give them a ride to their next appointment for 8 PM. This goes against my rules, (avoid the appearance of evil) unless I have another senior elder present. Well, I just blurted out; You know I’ll do anything for you guys.
Everything happens for a reason. When I was dropping them off at their appointment, I realized they were going to have to walk home afterward. 4 miles in the frigid cold. I asked if they wanted me to stay for the lesson and they said sure we really could use you.
They shared that the three people we were teaching were baptized into the church three years ago and had stopped attending church quite some time ago. They were all teenagers, their mother was not a member, but their grandmother was.
They offered a prayer in my car prior to walking into the house. During that prayer, I started to feel the promptings to bring up missionary work. When meeting with the elders, I offered an opening prayer, again I was prompted to talk about some of the blessings the elders have received serving as full-time missionaries. I asked the three of them; “have you ever considered going on a mission?” That was it! I had hit the nail on the head. At first, they were a little hesitant and then the
entire conversation turned to how amazing it would be for them to serve as full-time missionaries when two of them graduate school in June.
Driving the Elders back to their apartment just before curfew, they couldn’t believe how powerful the message was felt by all. This goes to show when you have faith and rely on the Holy Ghost, anything is possible, anything can happen.   

Just Pray, Don’t Give Up, and #Love all,

~ Dennis Schleicher

I’m A Gay Mormon LGBTQ Convert – WHAT? That’s what they say!

Who feels nothing but love from the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I’m A Gay Mormon Convert – WHAT? That’s what they say!

Yep, who knew? On Aug 19th, 2017 I chose to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an openly gay convert. Am I nuts? 

Why What, How could you do that to the LGBT community? 

This is the story of my search for God’s love in my life, and how I found it with and through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Despite a reputation that says otherwise, members of The #ChurchOfJesusChrist of #Latter-daySaints or #LDS, they do in fact love and accept all people just as Christ would, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

I am an openly gay man who feels nothing but love from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was told my entire life that God rejected me and I was going to Hell merely for my sexual orientation. I needed to change my entire persona and become straight. This left such a bad taste in my mouth about organized religion in general, that I refused to attend any church, for many, many years.

It was Latter-day Saints who taught me that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children, regardless of their sexual orientation. We are all children of God, and we should leave judgment to the Savior. It is not our place. We are asked only to love. #TurnUpTheLove 

My goals in writing this blog are to convey that we need more love in this world, more acceptance of all, and we need more happiness. I challenge you to choose love, no matter what race, nationality, whether you’re heterosexual, or someone like myself, who is 100% gay and a member of the LGBT+ Community and also a full temple recommend holder in good standing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’m serving as a Ward Mission Leader helping sisters and elder missionaries all over the world sharing the gospel of Christ as he does love each and every one of us despite our imperfections, as no one’s perfect. 

I’m not nuts or crazy for joining the church. After all, isn’t everyone a little nuts? Choose love, choose kindness, and most importantly, we all need to #TurnUpTheLove. 

Just Pray,

Love, Dennis Schleicher

Gay Man Become Mormon? by Dennis Schleicher