Mormon Stories 1439: A Mexican Mormon Story - Gerardo Pt. 1

Join us for Part 1 of our interview with Gerardo who is a dear friend of the podcast! Growing up in an orthodox Mormon home, his story gives a unique perspective on the church in Mexico and the “Lamanite ancestry” that plays into the testimony of many of the members in Latin America. After realizing his attraction to men in his youth, Gerardo worked to keep up with expectations as the son of a prominent LDS family hoping God would “turn his weakness into strengths.”

Through stories about Evergreen, conversion therapy, Mexican EFY, and serving a faithful mission, we hear how strongly Gerardo tried to pursue the covenant path and deny his gay identity. Gerardo went to BYU-I where he met his husband, a wild story filled with intense highs and lows. Eventually questioning his faith, losing his connection to being a descendant of the Lamanites and working through disagreements with LDS family, Gerardo put his whole heart out there in this interview. Listen along for some life-changing insights from Gerardo on this epic episode of a Mexican Mormon Story!

Continue listening to Part 2 of Gerardo's story here:    • A Mexican Mormon Story - Gerardo Pt. ...  

Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
9:05 History of the church in Mexico
20:14 The folksy, conservative version of Mormonism in Mexico
23:56 Gerardo’s dad getting baptized
33:12 Gerardo’s mom growing up in Mexico and the US
39:38 Dad/Mom’s mission to Oaxaca, mission pres plays matchmaker
47:24 Gerardo’s parents get married in the Mexico City temple with Catholic family excluded
53:35 Poverty in Mexico and the positive influence Mormonism provides
1:00:35 Gerardo’s childhood in ultra orthodox Mormon home and the machismo culture
1:08:50 Spiritual experiences, expecting baptism to clean him from attraction to boys
1:12:25 Realizing at 12 he was attracted to boys, coming out
1:33:40 Attending new Mexican version EFY
1:46:01 Dating and kissing boys in high school
1:50:37 The rigid orthodoxy of Gerardo’s father
1:59:06 Gerardo’s parents discover he is gay during church
2:13:00 Parents turn to Mormon conversion therapy program “Evergreen.” History of evergreen & conversion therapy.
2:31:00 Parents spending money in attempt to change Gerardo’s sexuality
2:44:54 Evergreen’s program trying to convince Gerardo he’s broken.
2:51:27 The "Journey Into Manhood" Retreat
2:58:39 Gerardo's experience with David Matheson's Conversion therapy
3:03:53 Being called to serve his mission in Mexico City, gaining a testimony in the MTC
3:13:45 Serving his mission and coming out to a companion
3:22:57 Fascination with Mormon doctrine & Jehovah’s Witnesses
3:26:20 Serving in area that had collapsed, and being demoted as a Zone Leader
3:37:02 Researching the church on his mission, finding Mormon Stories, & finding out about the Book of Abraham on his mission.
3:41:23 Made an AP on his mission, doubling down on his beliefs, & thinking he needs to marry a woman

#LDS #Mormon #LGBT #ExMormon #PostMormon #Homosexuality