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Gay man, former Mormon who chose resignation rather than face disciplinary council shares his story

Posted at 9:53 PM, Jun 21, 2014
and last updated 2018-05-15 22:09:24-04

SALT LAKE CITY – The founder of an organization seeking changes to what they call gender inequality within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faces the possibility of excommunication at a disciplinary council scheduled by the LDS Church for Sunday, and a man who faced a similar situation because of his sexual orientation spoke about his experiences.

Bryan, who asked that his last name be omitted from this story, tells FOX 13 News that his experience has parallels to Kelly’s, and he said he was presented with a choice: resign or face a disciplinary council.

Bryan said he converted to the LDS Church 13 years ago, attended Brigham Young University, stayed in Utah and tried to embrace the faith despite his attraction to other men.

“I didn’t join it just to leave it,” he said. “And I know I desperately tried to make it work with my situation, and the bishop just held the door open for me and said, ‘get out.’”

The man underwent reparative therapy; he said at that time he sought to change his orientation.

He said: “I did. I went through it. I did. I was truly convinced I was sick. I was defective. That I could be cured.”

Bryan said his orientation did not change, but he said he wanted to remain a member of the LDS Church. He said that led to his LDS bishop telling him to repent or face a disciplinary council.

“I was so scared that I did not know what to do, and so I said, ‘I want to defend myself’ and so I chose at first to go to the disciplinary council, before I chose resignation,” he said.

Bryan said he made the decision after speaking with friends who had faced disciplinary councils.

“They said it’s going to be the worst thing you ever go through in your life,” he said.

Kelly’s disciplinary council is scheduled for Sunday. An LDS Church Spokeswoman recently release a statement regarding the church’s disciplinary process, click here for more information and the complete statement.