Tom Christofferson
Friday, October 6, 2017, 7:30-9:30 pm
Tom Christofferson, author of the newly released “That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family”, published by Deseret Book, will share his thoughts on bringing both his gay and LDS identities into congruence. Bring your curiosity and questions to discuss.
GATHERING AT:
Home of Ed and Kristen Iversen
3582 Oak Rim Way Salt Lake City, UT 84109
If there is no parking to be found near the home you can also park in the “park & ride” lot on the NW corner of 3900 South and Wasatch Blvd. Oak Rim Way is just east of the intersection on the north side.
You’re invited to bring some finger food to share if you wish.
THE DISCUSSION:
Our discussion will focus on ideas of a Zion community where diversity is a critical component, congregations that learn to welcome all who seek to come closer to Christ with acceptance and without judgement, and families that focus on unity, loyalty and love.
ABOUT TOM:
Tom has enjoyed a global career in financial services, and has authored a new title published by Deseret Book aimed at all who seek to love their LGBTQ brothers and sisters. He teaches gospel doctrine in his Salt Lake City ward. (This is all that Tom gave me so I’m going to give a little more taken from a recent lengthy Deseret News article.”
Christofferson first recognized he was different around age 5. Raised in an LDS family, he went on to serve a full-time LDS mission and was married to a woman in the Los Angeles California Temple. Despite hours of prayers, days of fasting and years of service, he was still gay, he wrote in the book’s introduction.
Having no concept of how to reconcile being gay and Mormon, the couple’s marriage was annulled and Christofferson asked to be excommunicated from the church. He began a long relationship with a partner and was happy, he said.
“I was a very happy non-Mormon and now I’m a very happy Mormon again,” Christofferson said. “I think we oversimplify if we simply imagine there is no happiness outside the structure that we understand. There are friendships and the enjoyments of life and everything else, and still a desire to be a good, moral person, to make the world a better place. Happiness comes from all those things.”
STUFF TO STUDY:
- One Gay Man’s Powerful Journey Away from the Church and Back Again
- Mormon apostle’s gay brother shares his religious journey, preaches love for his former partner, faith and family
- Tom Christofferson Ep. 248 The Cultural Hall
- RadioWest: A Conversation with Tom Christofferson
- Mormon Matters Podcast: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family
- A Thoughtful Faith Interview
- Buy the Book: That We May Be One
