Was I the Only Gay Convert to the LDS Church?

Did you think I was the only gay convert? Do you think I am the only LGBTQ active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

NOT. Hundreds of gay converts and thousands of LGBTQ full temple recommend holders do exist.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

You can be gay like me and be an active member of our Church.

“It’s called agency.”

Meet Derek Knox from Boston. He joined our Church as an openly gay member one week after the November 2015 announcement. He had faith and a strong testimony into our gospel.

Jesus Christ love’s all. He loves you, your neighbor, your friends, your coworkers, and your family.

And, I LOVE you…

Dennis Schleicher Best selling author of Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ 

Follow Dennis on Instagram @DenSchleicher

Judging Someone’s Worthiness! Are you a Real Member of the Church Of Jesus Christ?

Judging Someone’s Worthiness! Are you a real member? OH-My-GOsh, have I cried. Have I screamed at God? Have I asked, why? 

Dennis Schleicher – Manti Temple, Utah

Yesterday I posted a comment on Strive To Be. Sharing my testimony about Come Follow Me. Someone replied; “are you actually a member of the church? All honesty, I am really just curious because a lot of what you post really goes against what the church believes in.” 

Are my post really that bad? There is still a lot of room for growth in our Church. The mindset amongst church members and hopefully what I am posting is helping with that. Every time YOU share one of my posts asking your friends and family to follow me, I am forever grateful.

I find that people are quick to accuse when they have the Church, mapped out in their mind that it should only be a certain way. Their hearts and minds are not open to change. (This is ironic because this Church changes and only becomes better because of revelation). 

They forget that this church includes everyone, and everyone is on a different level in their own personal spiritual journey. We all learn and teach differently. People forget there are converts from all backgrounds, from all over the world.

First, it sounded sincere, then it says, “goes against the church”! I’d say we got a lot of work to do!! Ugh! Almost appears that they go to church, and don’t learn while at church or listen to general conference. And by listen I’m talking about listening with the heart.  

It’s bad enough I receive hateful comments from anti-church non-members. I receive death threats from those who have left our church. Now, from our members? This is new to me. 

Many times I hear, this Church needs you and your voice. You are making a difference. Well, I NEED this CHURCH… I need our Gospel. And we need more LGBTQ’s attending church. Filling our wards with charity and the pure love of Christ. Wouldn’t you agree? 

I can testify, more people need our church. More people need our Savior, Jesus Christ. No one should judge. No one should question anyone’s worthiness to be a member. It is between our bishop and stake presidency.

We have to leave judgment to the Savior.

Love, Dennis

Follow Dennis on Instagram @DenSchleicher 

First This Gay Man Wanted to Protest the Mormon Church-Now He’s a Member

First This Gay Man Wanted to Protest the Church-Now He’s a Member. He steals the Book of Mormon. Who is Dennis? 

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; 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. I refused to attend any church for many, many years.

Latter-day Saints taught me; 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. Having received First Presidency approval to have my endowment early, is a constant reminder, He knows all of us by name. #SpreadLove

I serve as an Elders Quorum First Counselor, Ward Mission Leader. Assisting Church leaders, Mission Presidents, sisters, and elders to better understand how to work and deal with the LGBTQ community, creating a better understanding amongst all people.

I pray that my story, Instagram post, etc. Strengthens your faith in our church and in our savior, Jesus Christ. As I post scripture study, thoughts, and my life journey. As we all @strivetobe 💗 & @comeuntochrist

Love, Dennis -Best-selling author of “Is He Nuts? Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of The Church Of Jesus Christ.” @deseretbook @cedarfort & @seagullbook

To find out more follow Dennis on Instagram at @DenSchleicher

Order his book, on Amazon “Is He Nuts?”

☎️To speak directly with a missionary, call 1-888-573-6600 24/7

LDS Missionaries React to a Gay Convert Joining the Church of Jesus Christ

First This Gay Man Wanted to Protest the Church-Now He’s a Member. It all started when he steals the Book of Mormon. Dennis Schleicher serve as an Elders Quorum First Counselor, Ward Mission Leader. Assisting Church leaders, General Authorities, Mission Presidents, sisters, and elders to better understand how to work and deal with the LGBTQ community, creating a better understanding amongst all people.

Dennis is the best-selling author of “Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ.” As an in-demand public speaker, specializing in church FHE’s and  devotionals. With so many convert baptisms, all over the world, he now stoped counting.

Love, Dennis

Follow Dennis on Instagram @DenSchleicher

☎️To speak directly with a missionary, call 1-888-573-6600 – 24/7

#GiveThanks

#LightTheWorld

How do You Know Faith and Prayer are Real?

Gay Latter-day Saint Dennis with the missionaries

How do You Know Faith is Real❓I testify that the rewards are worth the effort! 🤔Remember the pattern;

1️⃣Hear the word of God, spoken and written by His servants; 2️⃣Let that word sink deep into your heart; 3️⃣Hunger in your soul for righteousness; 4️⃣Obediently follow gospel laws… and 5️⃣Raise your voice 🗣in mighty 🙏🏻 prayer… Asking in faith to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I promise that if you do these things sincerely and unceasingly, . … ‘knock, and it shall be opened unto you’ [ Matthew 7:6]

What are some examples you’ve witnessed that faith is real❓

Love, Dennis Schleicher

What is Pride? – I’m Not Talking about Gay Pride

I feel the need to talk about pride. And I am not talking about gay pride or marching in the streets. What is pride? The central feature of pride is enmity–enmity toward God-Him and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.’ It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us. Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God. The proud pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against his mighty works. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God.

Pride is a misunderstood term. Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, boastfulness, conceit, or haughtiness. The wrong pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence in the world.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, says;

“Humility directs our attention and love toward others and to Heavenly Father’s purposes… The moment we stop obsessing with ourselves and lose ourselves in service, our pride diminishes and begins to die.” 

How has pride got in the way you would help others❓

 

Why Would a Gay 🏳️‍🌈 Man Become a Latter-day Saint Mormon?

Who is Dennis? Why Would a Gay 🏳️‍🌈Man Become a Latter-day Saint?
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-God rejected me. And was going to hell-merely for my sexual orientation. I needed to change my entire persona-become straight.

This left such a bad taste in my mouth about organized religion in general. 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.

I am “Elders Quorum First Counselor, Ward Mission Leader,” with only 11 convert baptisms. Fireside and devotional speaker, who is humbly grateful to be a full temple recommend holder.
Working as an LDS Literary Agent 🖊 representing authors. 📚

 

Latter Day Saints Missionaries Wished I Dressed Gayer

Why did Dennis wear a rainbow 🌈 bow tie to sacrament today? I’ve learned never to ignore the promptings from the Holy Ghost. I had another outfit all prepared, I kept getting this nagging feeling. Where that 🏳️‍🌈 rainbow. Come to find out, many people needed to see it. Several came up to me saying: “They were praying for answers, and my bow tie was the answer they were seeking.” Thanked me for acting on my prompting. 🤷🏻‍♂️Who knew a gay rainbow tie would have such an impact.
🗣Some history about this bowtie. A leader in our church bought this for me, as our missionaries wished I dressed gayer 🤣 when teaching lessons. LOL, love this. 📣 That leader did not ignore the promptings from our Heavenly Father. Why should we?
👉When have you felt promptings from the Holy Ghost❓
👉Have you ever ignored those promptings❓

Pioneers, Mormons, and the LGBTQ Community

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!

Mormon and Gay Convert – Is He Nuts?

On Cedar Fort Publishing & Media’s Website

Why would a gay man become Mormon? 

On October 11th, 1989, Dennis was watching the Oprah Winfrey Show with his mother. The show that day was about members of the LGBT community

and coming out. Dennis writes about this moment in his book, Is He Nuts? Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ.

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.

On August 19, 2017, Dennis was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. On that day, he was officially Mormon and gay.

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.”