Temple time! I must be honest because I know some of you will relate. For a few months, I didn’t go. Why? I didn’t feel worthy-NOT because I did anything wrong or that I wasn’t worthy. It was more self-doubt, listening to others, or thinking 🤔 because I am gay, that I shouldn’t be a full temple recommend holder. 🤷🏻♂️How wrong could I be? When I enter the temple this past week. I’ve been hugged by dozens, welcomed with open arms, and greeted by so many who said: “Dennis we love you.” ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
If you were questioning your worthiness, or if it’s been a long time since you’ve been, know you’re not alone. Then it’s time for you to attend the “House of the Lord.” Bring honor to your Ancestry.
👉Most important lesson; “don’t let fear or the adversary dictate your feelings of self-worth.” 🙏🏻
Huge thank YOU!2500 followers, WOW 😳 If you would’ve told me a year ago this was going to happen, I would’ve said; Your Nut? 🥜 Now for the truth;I have denied media requests, interviews, television shows, newspapers, etc. Because I don’t wanna be sensationalized, misquoted, or have our church miss represented.Yes, has this hurt the success or sale of my book? Of course! That’s not why I wrote it. That’s not why I put my raw emotion, past, and transformation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I did not join this church to be known as the gay convert, an author, devotional, and fireside 🔈 speaker, etc.
I joined because I developed a true and strong 💪🏼 testimony into the Church Of Jesus Christ.
Family Search, owned by the LDS Church, adds same-sex couples to its database
The site, which is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced last week that FamilySearch.org Family Tree now provides the ability for users to document same-sex family relationships.
This is huge as the church wants no family to go unnoticed.
Can You Be Gay and Mormon?
Dennis Schleicher, author of the book “Is He Nuts? Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Talks with Cedar Fort Publishing & Media.
We talked about The Book of Mormon, the pioneers, his life as an LGBTQ member, and his faith in Jesus Christ.
Becky Mackintosh and Dennis Schleicher at Deseret Books
Let’s All Love Boldly – Embracing Your LGBTQ Friends
Others outside our church feel I don’t fit the mold to be a full temple holder. Others assume I don’t deserve holding a calling working with missionaries. Others believe I am not going to last-leave our church.
I’m exhausted with people questioning my worth, I’m exhausted justifying to others that I am worthy to be a full temple holder. I’m exhausted with people who have left our church constantly questioning my motives. Questioning why would you join the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? My answer is simple; I couldn’t imagine living without this gospel.
We all deserve the full blessings that one receives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We must leave judgment for our Savior. Becky Mackintosh shares a much-needed journey of teaching others how we all can Love Boldly, love like Christ. After all, we could learn more about loving everyone. “Love Boldly Embracing Your LGBTQ Loved Ones and Your Faith.”
When you think about the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a few things typically come to mind. Members of the LDS faith send out their young men and young men to do missionary work around the world. They read a book called The Book of Mormon that was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. What the LDS faith is also known for very heavily is the travels and struggles of the pioneers.
The pioneers were latter-day saints who were constantly mocked and driven from their homes throughout various states. Because of this constant persecution, these pioneers traveled to the west side of the American continent.
When we talked with Dennis Schleicher about his book Is He Nuts? Why A Gay Man Would Join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he talked about his special connection to the pioneers.
In his early days of learning about the LDS faith, Dennis was introduced to the history of the pioneers and their struggles and persecution. Their experiences brought him to tears because he could relate to the persecution he had gone through in his life for being a member of the LGBTQ community.
Watch this short video to hear Dennis’s words on this experience, and don’t forget to check out “Is He Nuts” at Deseret Books, Amazon Audible Audiobook, and all other booksellers!
Sister Missionaries Who Prayed for a Walk-in Sister Esplin and Tumlinson
My mom wrinkled her nose. “They are all going to hell. This is so disgusting.”
I looked over at her and stopped myself from rolling my eyes. “Really? You think that’s disgusting?”
“Yes, I do. They’re going to hell. It’s in the Bible.” She stopped and stared hard at me. “You’re gay, aren’t you.”
It was a statement, not a question. I hesitated, but I had nothing else to say.
“Yes.” “I knew it!” she burst out. “I always knew it! Your father is going to be livid when he gets home!” I wasn’t there when he got home.
My mother wasn’t the only person to figure it out.
Two weeks later, Dennis was attacked by 5 boys at his school.
Through those experiences and so many others, Dennis was determined. “In so many ways, I decided to be a survivor, not a victim, and to use the journey of my life as a source of inspiration to help others in similar situations.”
In 2014, Dennis, who had grown up a member of the Congregational church, was church hopping. It also happened to be the year that he met members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) for the first time. In his own words, Dennis says:
I had never met a member of the Church except for the poor missionaries who had my door repeatedly slammed in their faces. So I was shocked that my sexual identity didn’t seem to bother these Mormons I worked with.
From that point on, Dennis learned more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He visited the Sacred Grove with friends, attended sacrament meeting, met with the missionaries, and studied the Book of Mormon.
I had been studying the Book of Mormon for only thirty days. I didn’t understand everything, nor did I need to. It’s not a book you read one time—you read and ponder it every day, and through constant scripture study you will gain further knowledge and insight.
Roadblocks, challenges, trials, tribulations—whatever you want to call them, we’re all going to have them. It’s a fact of life. It’s what we do when we’re faced with them that matters. We can give up and be defeated. Or we can use them to grow and become stronger. I believe and know in my heart that God is there for every one of us.
Dennis now serves as a ward mission leader, assisting sisters and elders throughout New England to better understand how to work with the LGBTQ community, creating a better understating amongst all people.
To contact Dennis or schedule him for a speaking engagement, visit his website (dennisschleicher.net/contact). Purchase his book, Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ, at Deseret Books.
Reviews for Is He Nuts?
“As an active Latter-day Saint mother of an openly gay son, I was moved by Dennis’s story and the pure love of Christ. A must-read for all who are seeking to walk in the shoes of another.” ~ Becky Mackintsoh
“I devoured this book the day after it arrived. I am now passing it on to my teenage children to read.”
“His experiences and testimony are truly a light in this world and I believe his story will help many both in the LDS church and out of it.”
“This book is revolutionary, groundbreaking, transformative and much needed for anyone looking for a great story.”
Nancy Ayre September Shoutout for Dennis Schleicher
September Shoutout by Nancy Ayry – Every day in the month of September I would like to give a shoutout to one person that I see is making a positive difference in the world. 🌎 ❤️
Dennis Schleicher – he is everyone’s best friend. You can’t help but love him the minute you connect with him. He’s full of enthusiasm and love, kindness and sincerity. Dennis is a writer, lifestyle reporter, crisis counselor, network marketer, and motivational speaker.
When Dennis was a teenager in the 1980’s, he was brutally attacked by several boys in the men’s room at school because they figured he was gay. They took turns punching his face, jaw, and stomach and calling him a “f****** f***** that should not be allowed to live.” The school administration oddly took the side of the attackers. Shortly after the attack, the media began to contact Dennis and he appeared on seven talk shows, including Larry King Live, and Sally Jessy Raphael. in 1990, Dennis testified in court to help pass a hate crimes bill that included minorities and LGBT individuals.
“Dennis’ life has not been easy. The growing realization that he was gay coupled with his parents’ use of religion to justify abuse and neglect led Dennis to have a very complicated relationship with love, God, and organized religion. After suffering from the violent attack, forced institutionalization, and heartbreak after heartbreak, Dennis was desperate for love and acceptance – he just didn’t know where to find it.”
“After years of searching, Dennis unexpectedly discovered a new family in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his book, “Is He Nuts? Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ” he shares the story of how he, a gay man, found his home in the church.”
Dennis now serves as a ward mission leader, assisting sisters and elders throughout New England to better understand how to work and deal with the LGBTQ community, creating a better understanding amongst all people.
In his book Dennis explains, “I am many things. I am a people person, a talker, a networker. I am a gay man, a survivor of a hate crime, an advocate for the LGBT community. I am a friend, a hugger, a Christian who has always believe in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am a son, a brother, a cousin. All of this and more collectively defines who and what I am.” ( ”Is He Nuts?” Cedar Fort Publishing, Schleicher)
Dennis teaches me how to love and how to forgive. He teaches me that there are new starts. He teaches me that sometimes you’ll do things you NEVER thought you’d do! And he shows me what true ministering is. In his own words, “Turn up the Love!”
I never in my 40+ years expected joining the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, serving as a Ward Mission Leader, being a full temple recommend holder and writing a best-seller. 😮
I spent this past week experiencing Education Week at @brighamyounguniversity and I LOVED it! It was amazing! If you have never attended this incredible event, I invite you to put it on your calendar for August 2020!
At first, I was hesitant to attend because I imagined it being college courses to learn
Dennis Schleicher – BYU – Author
math, business, science, etc. I had no clue that It was a week full of gospel learning that has strengthened my testimony of the @churchofjesuschrist. I would like to share my TOP 5️⃣ . this week:
1️⃣ It serves me to serve you. It serves you to serve others.
2️⃣ Do not ever be afraid of asking God for help. Do not feel guilty asking for the smallest of things, or even the biggest of things.
3️⃣ Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have done their part, so now we need to do our part of preparing to receive their blessings. We fulfill our part by reading the scriptures and by studying the gospel.
4️⃣ You would never judge anyone else if you only knew their life story.
5️⃣ We need to always consider ourselves as students. There are “teachers” all around us, who help us to learn and grow.
e honest because I know some of you will relate. For a few months, I didn’t go. Why? I didn’t feel worthy-NOT because I did anything wrong or that I wasn’t worthy. It was more self-doubt, listening to others, or thinking 🤔 because I am gay, that I shouldn’t be a full temple recommend holder. 🤷🏻♂️How wrong could I be? When I enter the temple this past week. I’ve been hugged by dozens, welcomed with open arms, and greeted by so many who said: “Dennis we love you.” ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
