American Idol Finalist

Lupe (Mayorga) Bartholomew is American Idol finalist David Archuleta's mother. Lupe, her mother, and her three sisters joined the LDS church in Honduras on September 22, 1978. Ultimately, Lupe and her family came to the United States to live the Mormon dream. Lupe lived as a very happy, fully believing, orthodox Mormon mother until 2022, when her son, David, came out as gay. David's difficulties with the LDS Church's LGTBQ policies and doctrines caused Lupe to begin questioning the Mormon faith that she loved.

This is Lupe's Mormon story.

Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast...

Chapters
00:03:30 Disclaimer of Lupe Bartholomew
00:07:07 Childhood and growing up Catholic
00:14:30 The missionaries found them, started teaching discussions
00:17:45 Her personal conversion
00:29:15 Experiences that caused her to believe in God, good and evil
00:35:30 The role of missionaries in branches
00:37:25 Her mom helped build the branch into a ward
00:41:45 The role that the Book of Mormon played in her life
00:47:45 High School Years, first job at age 16
00:49:00 The immigrant experience
00:52:36 Her parents got divorced
00:55:20 Dating at the age of sixteen
00:59:50 Marriage and children, stillborn child
01:09:45 Raising and homeschooling her children
01:22:30 LGBTQ teachings and beliefs
01:24:35 David trying out for American Idol
01:31:07 Divorce and remarriage
01:38:40 Sister who left the church
01:45:25 David coming out as gay
01:58:55 “I can’t go to church anymore because it hurts”
02:06:30 Processing her own journey after David left
02:10:30 “God is not here” because God is love
02:22:40 Faith Transition
02:47:55 Final message - don’t put religion first, put families first

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