Listen, Learn, and Love

Embracing LGBTQ Latter-Day Saints

By: Richard Ostler

Narrated by: Dallin Bradford

Through the power of storytelling, former YSA bishop Richard Ostler brings to life the experiences of LGBTQ Latter-Day Saints, fulfilling President M. Russell Ballard's 2017 challenge to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Richard is supportive of the Church, its leaders, and doctrine.

This book is for all Latter-Day Saints and is an extension of the Listen, Learn & Love podcast. It brings together hundreds of stories in a comprehensive review of the many topics around being LGBTQ and a Latter-Day Saint.

By sharing stories, the podcast and book help listeners better support LGBTQ members in their unique and often difficult road and better recognize their gifts and contributions in our wards and families.

©2020 Cedar Fort Publishing and Media (P)2020 Cedar Fort Publishing and Media

Good book for those wanting to hear from LDS LGBTQ members

Overall I think the book is helpful to know learn more of struggles of LGBTQ members of the LDS church. I felt like I heard the same quote from some people multiple places in the book but I thought batching topics as he did was helpful. I had truly hoped for more from trans members, which is why I give it 4 stars—it really feels more like a book about LG issues than the whole spectrum of LGBTQ issues.

Such a powerful book!

The author is spot on on his message and his approach. My understanding (and my desire to better understand) has grown. I feel that I am more capable of loving others the way that the Savior does.

The author doesn't try to push anything on the reader. His message is to follow the teachings and example of Jesus to love all people, not just those who are similar to ourselves.

Too many times I have heard others try to force me to change my way of thinking (and it has usually been done in an angry or bitter way). But I felt none of that while listening to this book. Only an increased understanding and love.

I think everyone should read/listen to this book!

A wonderful start on a past due discussion

Richard Ostler is amazing! I am a frequent consumer of his podcast and have found him to be a generous host and good listener. One critique of this particular format (not of the content itself) is that the narrator made it difficult to attribute the quotes in the book, which was confusing and sometimes even jarring. Other than that, it was a good listen!

Helpful to leadership

This book is a helpful guide for church leadership in taking with LGBTQ kids and their families. :)

Julie (mother of gay son)

This book changed my life and my relationship with my gay son. It is beautifully written. I recommend it to any person, whether a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of another faith, who desires to learn how to minister to those of their LGBTQ community or family.

A Starting Point for Much-Needed Conversations

I love Richard Ostler's perspective and how hard he works to understand others and include their voices in his book. Listening to the experiences and viewpoints of LGBT+ members of the Church has given me so much to think about, and I think this will be a great way to start important conversations in my circle of influence so we can better build Zion.

No novel perspective.

It did contain any new or interesting perspectives. Rather it continuously stresses the correct point that we are all Gods children and deserving of love repeatedly.

Weak and Cowardly

This is a sad—and infuriating—book. It is almost incomprehensible that someone could have so much empathy for and have listened to so many stories of LGTBQ+ people and still not be able to see that they deserve to have full lives of companionship and marriage and family. The lives he offers them within the church are separate and unequal. If Elder Ostler is the best the Mormon church has to offer our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters that church is an unmitigated disaster and people should look elsewhere for a hopeful future.