Sure-Fire Ways to Identify a Member in our Church

Dennis Schleicher and Becky Mackintosh

Sure-Fire Ways to identify a Member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gaydar is that the ability of LGBT’s to intuitively recognize each other. Mormons seem to possess the same instinct (of detecting other Mormons, not homosexuals. Although gay members may have both powers. They’re like superheroes). 

Member Radar, Member-Dar, and Mo-Dar are differing terms that describe this skill.

My Member-Dar seems to be pretty dang spot on. 

I’m just about sure after I realized I had it. 

And it’s developed into a well-oiled machine of discerning efficiency. 

Unlike Gaydar, Mo-Dar can not be purchased with money. 

But don’t worry, here are some recommendations on developing your own clairvoyance connection to the hypostasis.

Vocabulary – We use odd phrases in everyday language like “fiber of my being,” “nourish and strengthen”, “tender mercies,” etc. 

We’ll drop “the Adversary” like he’s a man that lives down the road. 

Don’t forget substitute swear words (SSWs) like fetch, flip, shoot, crap, gosh, geez, dang, darn, and heck, to call just some. 

Acronyms galore: SSWs, CTR, BOM, BOA, TBM, NOM, DH (this one contains a dual meaning), MMM (also dual–crap!).

Tips or Moves to use:

–Phrase-drop: Use phrases like “Zion”, “Funeral Potatoes”, “Studio C”, “Doctor Who”, “BYU”, “CTR”, “Jello Salad”, or “Temple Square”, even “Called to serve”. 

Wanna get a true reaction? 

Slide the easy name “Jeffery R Holland” into a conversation. 

Yeah…that’ll turn some heads.

Loving My Friends as They Are

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Sister Lloyd, me & Sister Johnson

I remember the nervousness that overcame me not long after I felt the impression to seek out and listen to the Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They talk a lot about “being in the world, but not of the world,” but all of my friends were “of the world,” none of my family were members of The Church (except my granddaughters) and most of my friends had “alternative lifestyles.” When I decided I wanted and needed to be Baptized, I prayed constantly about the situation with my friends. How could I tell my friends I was now a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, would they want to be my friends anymore? Did that matter?

During my repentance process in the weeks before my Baptism, I was relatively quiet on Facebook, a social media outlet where I had spent an inordinate amount of time during the previous 5 years accumulating an audience for my writing. At times I had been known to make a spectacle out of myself, becoming rather dramatic about loves and losses and pain and pleasures. I had been known for “letting it all hang out.” How could I reconcile my previous behavior with the life I wanted, no, needed to create and begin to live? I prayed more.

The answers came gradually, but they came. I was impressed to read “The Articles of Faith.” They all rang so true in my heart that not only did my “bosom begin to burn” but I also wept with joy several times. Then I came to the 11th:

“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

The second part of that statement, “and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may [emphasis added]” caused me to completely lose my cool. I broke down and cried loudly; I bawled. Why? Because it was an answer to my prayers. There was NOTHING in the church Doctrine that said I had to exclude those who worshiped differently from myself from my life, ABSOLUTELY the opposite!!!

Articles of Faith Library Copy

Relief filled my soul. But what about all of the people who followed my social media? Now that I no longer practiced alternative beliefs, should I even be “out there” in the public? What about all of my photos and the things I posted?

As I began to hint about my baptism on social media some people I thought were my friends were quick to delete me from their connections, I cried but continued to pray about it. I didn’t want to lose friends, but those people who had “unfriended” me weren’t acting like friends. My prayers to my Heavenly Father continued, so did my tears.

I deleted hundreds of photos of myself that embarrassed me from my social media accounts and  I prayed to know if I should continue with an online presence. After all, it would have been easier just to delete the accounts.

The impression I felt from the Holy Ghost was persistent: I needed to be LOUDER about my conversion than I was my sins.

I was at a loss how to accomplish that. The year before my Baptism was quite humiliating as I looked back upon my own inequity to others in addition to myself. I continued to pray and study my scriptures.

Then came the answer: Start a blog about your conversion to The Church. Share your feelings about God and your faith and be honest with those who follow you. 

My unease continued even after I started the FIRST iteration of Slightely Mormon on Blogger. Then, in June 2013, came a directive in video conference form to ALL the Missionaries and the Missionary Members of The Church. This was the answer I had been awaiting. It was a confirmation of the personal revelation I had received from the Holy Spirit.

In a few weeks, it will have been 4 years since I sought out Missionaries to receive the lessons leading to my Baptism. In the subsequent years I have “cleaned up my act” on Facebook and other social media outlets, but I am louder than ever! I want the world (including my friends) to know HOW being a Mormon has changed my life!

In the last six years, I have worked hard not to alienate my friends and family. It’s difficult to convey to them how much I love ALL of them and I respect what they chose to believe in, all of that is part of them and I love them. img_20170204_093448_445.jpg

I had an opportunity to travel with a very dear friend of mine recently. Cub, as he likes to be called, is a professional photographer and acted as my assistant on a recent trip. In our travels across the country, we incurred our number of odd looks at us, but he helped me to see my world through different eyes. I saw judgment from my fellow church members when they watched him light a cigarette, I felt their stares and disapproval in both of our directions. That made me incredibly sad.

We visited the Ft. Lauderdale Temple towards the end of our time together. I asked Cub to take some photos of me when I was done with my session; he enthusiastically complied. When we were finished with our pictures another temple patron asked him to take her photo. Cub graciously agreed to do so.

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The first share on Instagram

While he was doing that act of service, I took a few snapshots myself for social media. I shared it first on Instagram as “Cubby doing service at the Temple,” then, after talking it over with Cub, I shared it again on my Facebook page and to a group called Facebook group focusing on members of The Church with an additional introduction:

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The second photo, captioned for Facebook

For a while, I almost felt like I was exploiting my friend and his service. Although he had given his consent for both photos to be shared on the internet inclusive of my comment about his lifestyle, he had not asked for the photo to be taken.

While Cub probably wished I had allowed him to continue his nap in the car, I felt it was important. There was a lesson here for not only me. I am not ashamed of my friends. I love each and every one of them. Not in spite of their beliefs or their actions, but as WHOLE people with different ideas about life and different understandings of the universe.

We read in John 13:34 that Jesus Christ himself told us:

 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I believe that His love is unconditional. That is something I try to work towards each and
every day.  I am so grateful to ALL of my diverse friends, like Cub, who help me to remember what my Heavenly Father commanded me to do.

(This article was previously published on Sister Maggie)

 

Why Would a Gay Man Become Mormon?

 

Missionaries are awesome! Meet a few I’ve worked with. 

Just a few of the released missionaries I’ve worked with on the East Coast.

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. Let’s all Turn Up The Love.

 

First Encounter Latter-day Saints Missionaries

This is probably the first encounter I had with Latter-day Saints except for the poor missionaries who had my door repeatedly slammed in their faces. Yep! That was the old Dennis.

Life just keeps getting more exciting by the minute. Just found out the Missionaries I randomly met at the airport on June 21, 2017 (almost 2 months before my baptism) Will be attending the celebration launch, 🚀 at this time did I ever think I would be baptized? NOT, and look at where we’ve gone. Yippee, Can’t wait to see Sister Franks & Morris.

I believe the Oscar goes to all church missionaries 

Dennis’ first encounter with missionaries at the Salt Lake City airport June 21, 2017

Miracles do Happen 

Now look; I’m a Ward Mission Leader, YES miracles can and do happen.

Register Free on Eventbrite

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Remember, You Are Loved.

Love and Hugs, Dennis

Need to talk NOW 24/7 Call our missionaries @ 1-888-537-6600

Powerful Message from a Friend at Church

Powerful Message from a Friend at Church

I saw this on the front page of the Church website this morning and I remembered our conversation and how this is your opportunity as you are called to speak to others – to bear witness of God’s love, His goodness and mercy to you in your life experiences.

This is the scripture that came to my mind so powerfully that I felt was for you:

Mosiah 18-And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-

I have tried to hold myself to this standard.  All too often for me, I have fallen short to fully express and acknowledge God’s greatness and goodness–His love–in my testimonies.  It is a skill I am still. working on to improve.

May I share with you some tools I am using to become more accomplished in this goal.

As  I study the Book of Mormon, I examine how the great prophets testify of Jesus Christ. They are great examples who bear great witness of God’s love.  We can learn much from them in this endeavor.

Consider Lehi and his dream [I Nephi 8] wherein he goes from a place of darkness to the tree of life.  There he partakes of the fruit of the tree which we understand represents the love of God.  After experiencing this love he states in verse 12 – “And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy;” This is Lehi’s witness of God’s love.   He then turns to his family and invites them to come and experience this great joy which he described as desirable above all other fruit.

I like to think this represents all missionary work.  First we each must come to the tree and experience God’s love (baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost). Then we turn and invite others to come to the tree (Come unto Christ) and receive this continuing gift of His love in always having his spirit to be with us.

I have made a detailed study of the Book of Mormon prophets of how they each in their own way have testified of this fruit and how it has brought them great joy.

Another tool I have used is to do a personal evaluation after I have shared my testimony – asking questions such as Did I acknowledge His hand in all the goodness I have experienced? Did I convey the joy that I experienced as I partook of the fruit?  Did I invite others to partake as Lehi did?

After this personal evaluation revealing my weaknesses (which have been too many- to my dismay),  I then reviewed what I desired to have said.  That was followed by a prayer that the Lord would make my weak things become strong. There have been occasions when my prayer has been answered. I have been able to give a witness that exceeded my highest expectations, and yes my joy was great in that blessing.

Dennis, I know the Lord loves you greatly and has called you to serve in the building of His Kingdom.  Thank you for asking me to share.

~ A Friend From Church 

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

Life Has Been Nuts – Keep Calm Go To The Temple

Life has been NUTS in a significant way.  When I first wrote my book, I had no clue how enormous an undertaking this would become. A few days after submitting the manuscript to my publisher, “I thought I would have a little vacation for a while,” NOT! I Received an email from my astonishing acquisitions editor; Congratulations! I will need the following things from you as soon as possible. Title Ideas – list of your suggestions. Cover Design Profile – your insight and opinion to our designers by completing this; (mortgage application,) LOL 🤣
Next Priority: (1-2 weeks) 

Author Bios – submit one professional bio and one book jacket bio by completing this; “refinancing application attached.” WOW😮. 

*Marketing Plan – Email our marketing team, should encompass public, media, TV, print, magazines,📰 along with comparison titles, movies, and television shows.🎥🎙 Then *MORE documentation will be forthcoming upon completion. “Yikes!!!”😟 Final Priority: (in the next 3-4 weeks)
Cover Blurb Sample – provide ideas and feedback that will help our marketing writer create the final blurb. (Now instead of a mortgage, I felt as if I was purchasing a 60 story building in New York City.)
Endorsements – identifying influencers in your genre for endorsements that lend social proof, influence, and recommendation to your reader community.
Author Photo – email a color photo in JPG format with quality resolution. (See available help in our Authors Manual) “Now this was the size of a dictionary…” 📕
OMgoodness – I think all of this was harder than actually writing the book LOL.✒️ All worth it 
as this is a huge deal and I’m honored my manuscript was acquired with a remarkable Publishing and Media house. 🤩 I couldn’t complete this without my talented literary agent Gina Panettieri, her staff, my phenomenal Book editor Trina Caudle along with

ALL of my friends and family.🥰 Thank you for your patience and understanding as for why my life is NUTS #IsHeNuts???

Just Pray, and #TrunUpTheLove

~ Dennis Schleicher