Voices of Hope

Jeff & Tanya speak with Nathan and Cristin Hessing. Nathan shares his experience of same-sex attraction and his desire to remain faithful to the Gospel. They talk about finding North Star later than other resources, and how both emotional and physical pain caused him to seek out help. Nathan and Cristin talk about the personal issues Nathan faced and the impact that had on their relationship, but how therapy had given him tools to move past those challenges.

Nathan shares some of the details of what those challenges looked like, and how the ability to make a personal choice was important to him in multiple facets of his life. Cristin is able to talk about her own experiences of being prompted early on in their friendship to consider this marriage long before she and Nathan ever started dating. 

Nathan’s Facebook

Cristin’s Facebook

What is Voices of Hope?

The personal stories shared on this podcast serve as an extension of the book and video project, Voices of Hope. It is a living repository of faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sharing stories of how they seek to reconcile their sexual orientation or gender dysphoria, or of those they love, with their faith. You’ll hear how they have chosen to embrace the restored gospel, the inherent challenges they face, and how they’ve found peace and hope in their decisions.

As you listen to these candid and touching stories, you may find elements of their journeys that echo your own. Wherever you fall in this spectrum of experience or in your journey on the path of discipleship, you’ll find a safe place here.

Voices of Hope is a project of North Star International. North Star is a faith-affirming resource for Latter-day Saints addressing sexual orientation and gender identity, and who desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.