Voices of Hope North Star

Tanya and Jeff Bennion talk with Preston Jenkins, who shares his journey as a gay man in a mixed-orientation marriage with his wife, Taryn. Preston opens up about the two years of bitterness he experienced after enduring abuse on his mission, and how his mother played a vital role in helping him work through that bitterness with love and teaching him correct principles.

Preston also discusses his journey of overcoming PTSD triggers related to the church and emphasizes the importance of staying clean to be a vessel of Christ's love. He shares how embracing truth sets one free from emotional burdens and encourages listeners to take control of their lives by choosing Christ.

Throughout the conversation, Preston encourages self-reflection by asking the question, "What doctrine, if I understood it better, would help me overcome this burden?" He addresses the claim that "the gospel doesn't work for everybody," emphasizing the importance of listening to the proper spirit.

Preston also shares how he and Taryn cultivated a beautiful relationship through intentional courtship. This inspiring episode offers hope, understanding, and guidance for anyone navigating complex challenges while seeking a path of stalwart discipleship.

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Check out Preston’s Voices of Hope video and a personal essay here.

You can buy Preston’s book here.

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Jenn and Anjanette speak with Lexi Weyland, who identifies as bisexual. She shares experiences and insight on how she is able to sit in uncertainty while still choosing to keep her covenants. They also discuss the dynamics between Lexi and her husband, Benj, who identifies as gay. Lexi shares their story and why they decided to get married and remain committed members of the church.

Lexi’s Instagram

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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

Mary Brooks Thompson is the wife of current Northstar President, Spencer Thompson. She is a full time mother to their four beautiful children, and a lover of life and learning. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her voice and perspective on this incredible platform of Voices of Hope.

007 - Trent as a Branch President

Jeff & Joseph speak with Trent, who was Joseph’s Branch President in Vermont. He gives insights into how church leaders can be more understanding of different circumstances in a branch or ward. Trent talks about how he spent a lot of time and effort trying to better understand Joseph when he first heard that a member of his branch experiences same-sex attraction. They all discuss the internal conflicts that come from being a member of the church while simultaneously knowing how to support and love anyone making choices that don't align with church values. 
Many commonalities exist between all members of the church as we strive to have a better relationship with Jesus Christ, which they expound on as they talk about the roles that Grace and Mercy play in ward leadership. They talk through the importance of providing safe spaces in all areas of the church where people can feel safe to have conversations seeking understanding. Trent also looks back on his own experiences as a Branch President to share advice with other church leaders, which includes the importance of putting trust into those around us regardless of what their personal challenges may be.

Trent on Facebook

Show Notes:
That We May Be One by Tom Christofferson

I woke up from a lifelong pattern I wasn’t even aware of…avoiding, numbing and denying my emotions, when after 16 years of marriage my husband disclosed his same sex attraction, infidelity and addiction struggles. I began my personal journey of personal growth work and recovery that very day. Since then, my personal journey has taken me on a roller coaster of learning and growing. My passion has become to share with others the tools I found and created to live life authentically and on purpose. I absolutely love my job and my clients too! I have created a platform I teach from that simply starts with, when you heal in the four areas of PEMS (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual), you build strength and stability to become whole again.

I co-created Daughters of Light; a division of The Toolbox, LLC to help women find healing, connection and strength. Daughters of Light host workshops, seminars and retreats designed to help women heal and become more in touch with emotions and patterns that keep them stuck experiencing what they don’t want. I have attended, staffed and led many experiential weekends; have co-lead support groups, coaching groups, and spoken and organized many conferences.

My coaching practice includes courses I teach online, group coaching classes like SSA 101 for Spouses, Emotional Literacy, and Braving Betrayal. I also do one on one sessions with clients.

I have served as Chairman of the Board for North Star International and am currently on the Board for Discover Identity, a nonprofit focused on helping people find their true identities instead of the labels others try to put on us.

I come to this work armed with perspective and experience. I struggled as a young mom to keep my head above water. I was not aware of my patterns or that I could set boundaries. I didn't see the destructive pattern of denying myself at the expense of my mental balance in order to make everyone else happy, or manage their emotions (as I falsely thought I was capable of doing!). My message is I know recovery is possible because I have been there too.

My husband Curtis and I celebrated 27 years of marriage last summer and we have 4 beautiful children. I earned a BA in fashion design from BYU and have used my talents to design and make custom wedding gowns for nearly 30 years coaching brides along the way. Now I find my true passion in helping others through hardships I can relate to, so that no one has to feel as alone as I did.

I am an Intuitive Life Coach and Speaker and my passion is helping women like you and me heal after betrayal and trauma.