Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Educational Psychology

PDF

Utah State University

2022

Clergy

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Education

“I Just Wanted Support”: Examining How Lds Clergy May Effectively Minister To Sexual And Gender Minority Congregants, Samuel J. Skidmore, G. Tyler Lefevor, Adlyn M. Perez-Figueroa, Kristen A. Gonzalez Dec 2022

“I Just Wanted Support”: Examining How Lds Clergy May Effectively Minister To Sexual And Gender Minority Congregants, Samuel J. Skidmore, G. Tyler Lefevor, Adlyn M. Perez-Figueroa, Kristen A. Gonzalez

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study explored why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who identify as sexual or gender minorities (SGM) speak with clergy regarding their SGM identities, as well as what LDS SGMs find helpful and unhelpful in these conversations. A sample of 25 current or former LDS SGMs participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants reported six overarching reasons for talking with clergy, including church procedures, seeking guidance, seeking emotional comfort, seeking repentance, seeking openness, and other people’s initiation. Participants reported several ways clergy were helpful, including empathic listening, openness, and affirmative …


"He Just Wanted Me To Do What Was Best For Me": Latter-Day Saint Clergy's Counsel To Sexual And Gender Minorities And Its Impact, G. Tyler Lefevor, Adlyn M. Perez-Figueroa, Samuel J. Skidmore, Kirsten A. Gonzalez May 2022

"He Just Wanted Me To Do What Was Best For Me": Latter-Day Saint Clergy's Counsel To Sexual And Gender Minorities And Its Impact, G. Tyler Lefevor, Adlyn M. Perez-Figueroa, Samuel J. Skidmore, Kirsten A. Gonzalez

Psychology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to understand counsel given to sexual and gender minority individuals by clergy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS), the impact of that counsel, and individuals’ perceptions of meetings with clergy. Twenty-five current and former members of the CJCLDS who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) participated in 30–60 min semi-structured interviews focused on their interactions with clergy in the CJCLDS. Participants reported receiving various forms of counsel, including encouragement to adhere to church doctrine, counsel focused on self-acceptance, messages that clergy would support congregants’ agency and self-determination, counsel focused …