Voices of Hope

Jeff and Tanya Bennion have been part of the North Star Community since the beginning when Jeff helped found the organization. They have also been a part of Voices of Hope before it grew into a project, sharing personal essays in the book by the same name. They later shared a video detailing their story.

In addition to Jeff’s experience of same-sex attraction, they discuss the struggles and pain in their marriage that have come from infertility despite their desire to have a large family. Tanya also details her personal loss of losing her first husband and how healing and understanding have come over the years as she’s focused on helping others and giving back.

While Jeff was initially nervous about sharing their story publicly, he also shares details when they knew that they could be happy in marriage together despite attractions that seemed to contradict their relationship. They close with some trends they have observed over the years and how important it is for everyone to do their own work.

Links:
Voices of Hope video link
Voices of Hope Book

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.