Feb 01 2025 51 mins 49
Skyler Sorensen grew up in St. George, Utah as the fourth of eight children. He is an active Latter-day Saint who experiences same-sex attraction. He and his wife, Amanda, were married in the Provo, Utah temple in 2018. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s in Media Arts and currently works with the team at Scripture Central. Skyler started the podcast “Sit Down with Sky”, which has recently morphed into a YouTube series. The series is dedicated to finding and maintaining eternal truths in the conversation around LGBTQ issues. Skyler is also the author of Exclude Not Thyself: Thriving as a Covenant-Keeping, Gay Latter-day Saint, aimed at providing a faith-affirming approach to LGBTQ issues.
Skyler and Amanda have three children. Their first son, Milo, was born at 24½ weeks, and after a few weeks of battling for his life in newborn intensive care, he passed away in Amanda’s arms. They have two living daughters, Remi and Lainey, both under the age of three. Skyler’s current church calling is Gospel Doctrine teacher.
Links
Exclude Not Thyself: Thriving as a Covenant-Keeping Gay Latter-Day Saint
Sit Down with Sky
Connect with Skyler
Scripture Central
North Star
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
Transcript coming soon
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Highlights
Skyler shares his personal journey as a gay Latter-day Saint, detailing his experiences with same-sex attraction, his decision to marry a woman in the temple, and the fulfillment he finds in his family life. Skyler shares his perspective on the labels of identity, expressing a desire to prioritize his core identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ over societal labels.
Kurt and Skyler talk about the tension church leaders face when discussing doctrines related to the eternal family, emphasizing the need for compassion while upholding the ideal of eternal marriage. Skyler highlights the importance of understanding doctrine in a way that fosters genuine relationships, even amidst disagreements about lifestyle choices. The discussion also touches on the significance of therapy and the value of seeking resources that align with one’s faith. Both Kurt and Skyler stress the importance of maintaining hope and connection, advocating for a balanced approach that recognizes the complexities of faith and identity.
02:40 – Skyler’s Journey with Same-Sex Attraction
06:00 – Navigating Identity and Labels
08:04 – The Importance of Open Communication in Relationships
09:53 – Early Experiences with Church Leaders
11:09 – Balancing Temptation and Faith
12:16 – The Role of Church Leaders in Discussing Marriage
16:14 – The Ideal of Eternal Marriage
17:26 – Addressing Criticism of Mixed Orientation Marriages
18:12 – The Importance of Seeking Validation from God
19:02 – The Desire to Share a Valid Path for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints
20:16 – The Tension Between Faith and Family
22:10 – Maintaining Relationships Amidst Differences
24:00 – Resources for Families and Individuals
29:19 – The Role of Therapy in Navigating Same-Sex Attraction
31:01 – Understanding Doctrine and Its Application
33:03 – Promoting the North Star Conference
36:06 – Validating the Path of Covenant-Keeping
39:21 – The Importance of Teaching Eternal Truths
40:56 – Finding Strength in the Temple
44:34 – Accessing Strength Through Eternal Perspective
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
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