Andrew left the church after feelings of rejection. The Spirit of Christ brought him back 

Wonderful podcast, we all need to more loving less judgemental, but always stay close to your Saviour. But show love and love people where they are

Andrew and Ashly thank you for sharing.. as a parent of a son who has same sex attraction we have witnessed his struggles.. He served an honorable mission in 2010, after returning home and attending a few years of college he shared what he had kept private, he later tried to take his life, praise God he survived, that was 10 years ago.. He is doing great now, he’s in a relationship and lives w/ another young man, we love them both. At one time I know he had a strong testimony of the gospel, he has shared it w/ me, but he eventually made the decision to step away from the church.. as a young man he’d read the BOM to his younger siblings. I know he loves the Lord but feels torn, some day he will return when the time is right.. in the meantime we’ll keep loving him.. thank you for the wonderful uplifting podcasts.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Rev. 4:21) For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isaiah 64:4)

I am so glad you are back. Thank you for strengthening my testimony by sharing yours.

As parents in a large blended family we have Experience with many of these difficult challenges. We have children who identify as lgbtq and other children who although once very active in the church now have become less so due to watching their family members struggle and viewing the actions of fellow members or policies of the church as harmful and hurtful to those they love, thus causing them to step away. As parents our hearts hurt deeply for these young people. This topic will be the defining challenge of this generation within the church much the same as polygamy was a hundred years ago…. As time passes perspective leads me to the conclusion that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will prevail despite all these mortal challenges. The church will continue to be a place of trial and error and falling and climbing back up with the Lords help. I can honestly say that I feel the spirit when Andrew talks about his journey. We pray God blesses you with happiness and peace and Love from those around you. Ashly keep up the great work of service and enlightenment!!! Love these Podcasts!

I loved your story. I’m sorry for the pain and hardship. I’m thankful for your victories and successes. Bless you dear brother Andrew

Andrew I love your story. I'm so happy you found God's love again. He DOES know you by name and He knows you better then you know yourself. Follow where HE leads you. You'll discover that your healing journey will turn into a journey of learning many amazing Spiritual and Universal truths with Him as your teacher. There are so many wonderful blessings that await you! ❤

Thanks. I really enjoyed this interview. I have family members of the LGBTQ+ community that are not so Active anymore and questioning the church. I know they have felt hurt within church. Thanks for sharing this and this journey of this comeback story.

I was spellbound by Andrew's story. You can see he's a recipient of miracles. Thank you for the charity you express and the joy you experience in the gospel. One of the best of these podcasts!

Congratulations on your baptism and thank you for these podcasts there are so many podcasts making money slandering the church with lies but heavenly father will teach the truth through this podcast and touch many people with the holy spirit Joseph Smith wasnt perfect but God worked through him

What a testimony Andrew!!! Your story is so real, so touching and so raw. Thank you for sharing and just know you are so loved!!!!

I’m crying too!! What a powerful message. Thank you Andrew for your story. Thank you Ashley for your podcast. I found you through the We Believe app. I too am coming back to the church after a 50 year hiatus.

Such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing Andrew

thanks you guys for making such enlightening content! you are doing a marvellous work and a wonder! it is a treat to be able to listen to these on the Sabbath day to keep it holy. never stop!😊😊

What a beautiful account of God’s love for His son Andrew. I was so touched by all of the miraculous experiences he has received and the perfect love of God he has felt. I have no doubt that God will use Andrew’s testimony to help many and to do much good. God is so good ❤

Powerful, tender post. What a beautiful, genuine, faithful, good soul. 💕☀️🙏🏻

THANK YOU so much for sharing your story! It is something I needed to hear and want to understand more. You have my full ADMIRATION for staying and learning to be strong! Furthermore, I praise you for being big and strong enough to forgive the Brethren and the rest of us for our mistakes and misunderstandings!!! I was in tears hearing your wonderful spiritual experiences and knowing that you are feeling your worth and knowing you have grand things ahead of you!❣️ One quick comment… I don’t think you left the church, you just had to step back to a safe place to heal! Now you can carry on my friend!😊

BAM‼️ You hit this right on!! Way to be strong Andrew❣️This is absolutely the way the gospel is and should be!! I can’t even say it enough. This podcast needs to be seen everywhere 👌🏻 I’ve said to another of these comeback podcasts that sometimes people do need to leave the church and come back so it is their OWN personal journey!! Here is my comment before-- I hope i can convey my thoughts without rambling. First I want to commend you for not losing your testimony. But I think you walked a path you needed to for a couple of reasons. (Part omitted-applied to previous podcast) Sometimes people with certain personalities, I feel, need to leave the church (not that we want them to) to be “released” from the pressure living the gospel gives sometimes. I want to yell and scream “don’t go so far away you get lost!” Then when they can come back, it is their “choice” to live the gospel. Our church does require action and commitment and sometimes it is pressed hard upon us. Especially in your youth maybe because children are most likely not going to “choose” to go to church 😜. This day and age, the trend is ‘do what I want or be who I want’! So the pressures are different. Here I want to say that we are definitely being sifted wheat from tares! Satan is unleashing All his tricks! We must be careful to hold fast to the iron Rod. Having a faith crisis is not necessarily a bad thing. If a person is truly searching, they’re gonna come back because this is where the fullness of the gospel is. I have loved listening to Pastor Jeff because it has only strengthened my knowledge and testimony of the truth. Keep going Andrew!! Spiritual experiences are personal and designed just for You!

Andrew’s story is AWESOME. I don’t have his struggles, but I certainly felt his spirit & the Holy Spirit through his life experiences. He’s a great Saint whose story should be shared far & wide.

Thank you for sharing your story.

I'm very glad that you feel the love of the Savior so much. Although I am from a different generation, I feel love for my brothers and sisters who have same-sex attraction and great respect for those that strive to keep their covenants. I think those who live the law of chastity in spite of sexual attraction that cannot be fulfilled within that law are making a tremendous sacrifice. I don't believe that God will change His law of chastity, but I do know that He will bless everyone for obedience.

Totally AWESOME....Thank you for sharing....Debbie

I am so happy that you came back 👏😊🙏

Thank you you are so kind sweet,we are all traveling in this life our on rod,and yours is too bring Heavenly Father’s children to his fall,in a very special way 😢😮😊👏👏👏👏👏

Thank you Andrew for sharing your story… Prayers and love for continued growth and blessings in your eternal journey… You are filling your lamp and your journey is overcoming the trials you faced as we all do yet it was never going to be easy but surely will be worth it… Heavenly Father knows us by name and knows every single thing about us… Keep him ever near and stay blessed on your life journey to eternity… Love you brother💛❤️💚🥰💙

Brother I am so happy you are back.

Thank you for sharing your stories. I learned a lot.

What an amazing story. I’m awestruck by Andrew’s bravery. I hope one day we have a greater understanding of these heart wrenching issues. I hope in the meantime those members struggling will continue to be patient with those of us who don’t have those struggles. We love you and need you.

Beautiful brother

I can listen to this guy for hours. Another great conversation.

Going forward in faith is about not knowing what's ahead of you but going forward anyway. Faith in Jesus Christ is knowing that he knows us and died for our sins. That includes everyone. Great video.

This was good, great job! A few things that members should and could do to help out more with this struggle that is becoming more and more prevalent: 1) Members need to stop encouraging lgbt identifying people to “pray” their gay away. It’s not helping us at all. 2) Members need to stop giving false hope to lgbt identitying members that doctrine of creation and eternal order families will change and that temples will start performing SS sealings. It’s not helping us at all. 3) Members need to stop encouraging lgbt members to push up to the line of the law of chastity. It’s unfair to all of us and it’s not helping us. 4) Members of the church need to stop judging those who are “orthodox” of not being “kind and loving allies”. This is not helping us at all. The doctrine being discussed here will not change and does not need to change, God knows us all and loves us all and will bless us as we overcome our trials no matter what they might be in this difficult mortal life. Thanks again for such a beautiful podcast. I know this channel loves all points of view and accepts that we are unique and all have value. Can’t wait for the next one. We are all loved!

Andrew, even though you felt so alone through those times, there are many who feel compassion and reverence for your experience. I don't know all the reasons we have the experiences we do in life, but I DO know that they result in gaining strength and closeness with God that is ultimately a blessing. I pray that your experience and journey will bless your life as none have for me. I am grateful for my growth. Even though my past still can be painful, there is so much joy from other things I have experienced in my life. Much love and well wishes for you.

I don't know you but so thankful you didn't check out. You're probably a blessing to all who do know you.. way to hang in there

Ashley heavenly father will continue to bless you he understands what you have been through and loves you very much the holy spirit testifys the truth to us stay strong your testimony is meant to share to help others in these latter days you are a beautiful strong brother and will be exalted on high for your faith and courage only those who seek the truth and repent will receive the spirit to guide them back satan new you are a precious child of God

Loved your story and your honesty and sincerity. I know it’s been a terribly difficult journey. Thanks for your story.

Thank you Andrew. I absolutely love what you shared about your Dad 🤍

This was an exceptional podcast. I love what Ashly said about Come Follow Me being a challenge for her and her family. I just said, in last Sunday's Gospel Doctrine class, what someone recently said about the importance of us being a part of God's love and finding joy in living the Gospel and not thinking we can earn our way into heaven, by completing check lists and doing it all, all the time. Instead of check lists, we need becoming lists, of how we become more and more like our Savior and our Heavenly Father. They are working with mortal, imperfect members and leaders. We need to be kinder and a safe place for each other. Thanks Andrew and Ashly for honestly sharing your stories with us.

Glad I left Mormonism. Best thing I ever did. I am free at last! No more being in bondage both in mind and spirit.

Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge 🙏 him and he shall direct thy path

Ashly I struggled in the beginning with COME FOLLOW ME … Read every line read every highlighted scripture and watch videos it will make sense as the spirit teaches what we need to learn and what to apply for our individual lives that will sooo bless our lives… Enjoy and just try it… Never give up on inspired teachings from the Lord… Love you Ashly and thank you soooo much for your inspired Come Back Podcast… Blessings every day sweets 💛❤️💚🥰💙💖💜🤍

Thanks for sharing!

Wow what an interesting person you are!!

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Can I get the link to the podcast you referred to about the LGBTQ community? Please!

If Andrew lives in Kansas. he needs a new to Insten to “Christian Homestead” as he lives in Kansas also. His show is very good.

One of the rainbow flag colors is for me?? What the heck does that mean?? Is that the LGBTQXYZ community's latest trendy thing to say??

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My response to the email that stated this podcast is saying that you have to leave the church and come back to gain a strong or deep testimony would be to say, no that misses the point. It’s not that you have to leave to find your testimony of the truth. It’s that some did, do, and will have to move out of the church in order to come back. And that’s okay. God planned for it, so we can accept it too.

How could you stand reading Romans with all that castigation about the flesh and “unnatural ness”??

Lupe Bartholomew, David Archuleta's mom, left the church because the church was so cruel to her son. LDS rhetoric towards LGBTQ people is malicious and indefensible. I don't understand why there are still members of such a cruel, abusive church.