Jason Parks, 2

Each of us has hope because of who we are and who God is and who we are together. Don't pray that God will make your life free of problems, but pray for hope, strength, and courage to bear them. Adversity can bless our lives if we let it purify us and teach us.

Jason Parks,
in Resolving Homosexual Problems: A Guide For LDS Men

I share the feeling of angst and desperation I read about on the blogs of men similarly situated. Life, at times, feels unbearably painful. I'm as moody as the next guy, and I happen to be pretty darn happy right now. But there have been some pretty low lows, and I'm certain there will be more. So, this seemed like a nice thought to end with.

Parks' book has some flaws, but far fewer than I expected, to be honest. I was expecting more of a biography--I don't know why. But rather than a pure biography, it is a well-annotated work of non-fiction that relates occasional personal experiences to detail many of the issues from a uniquely LDS perspective. Because of that perspective, I highly recommend a careful read (rather than a quick scan) to anyone who is Mormon and a gay man. Reading something like this, even if it is just consciously processing it to separate out what you agree with and disagree with, is a hugely helpful activity in achieving personal insight. Or at least, it has been for me. And I happen to know they have it at libraries in Utah, because the copy I'm reading came on inter-library loan from SLC. Ha!

Enjoy, my friends! (Or get violently indignant, as the case may be!)

Index of Jason Parks posts:
Jason Parks, 1
Revelation on homosexuality
Subtly arrogant
AIDS and suicide
Happiness
Approval
Homophobia
Inborn and unchangeable?
Jason Parks, 2