A digital illustration symbolizing the unity of a Mormon family with an LGBTQ+ child, emphasizing love and acceptance.

When Faith and Family Collide: How Mormon Parents Navigate Their Child's LGBTQ+ Identity

Lena Voss in Culture & Society December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A look at the challenges and triumphs of Mormon families as they reconcile religious beliefs with the realities of their LGBTQ+ children's lives."

In an era where conversations around sexual orientation and gender identity are becoming increasingly common, many families find themselves navigating uncharted territory. For Mormon families, this journey can be particularly complex, as they strive to reconcile their deeply held religious beliefs with the reality of an LGBTQ+ child. This article delves into the heart of this issue, offering a sensitive and informative look at how Mormon parents are working to bridge the gap between faith and family.

The core tenets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormon Church, emphasize traditional marriage and family structures. When a child comes out as LGBTQ+, parents are often faced with difficult questions and decisions. How do they reconcile their faith with their child's identity? How do they provide support while staying true to their beliefs? These are the questions at the forefront of this important discussion.

This is not just a story about conflict; it's a story about love, understanding, and the ongoing effort to build stronger families. By exploring the experiences of Mormon parents, we gain valuable insights into the universal challenges of acceptance, communication, and the enduring power of family bonds.

Understanding the Intersection: Faith, Family, and LGBTQ+ Identity in Mormonism

A digital illustration symbolizing the unity of a Mormon family with an LGBTQ+ child, emphasizing love and acceptance.

To comprehend the complexities faced by Mormon families, it's crucial to understand the foundational principles of the Mormon faith. The Church's doctrines emphasize the importance of family, marriage between a man and a woman, and adherence to specific moral guidelines. For many Mormons, these beliefs are central to their lives and provide a framework for their understanding of the world.

When a child identifies as LGBTQ+, it can create a profound tension between these core beliefs and the child's lived experience. Parents may grapple with feelings of confusion, sadness, or even fear. They might worry about their child's future, their place in the church, and the potential social stigmas they may face. The journey towards acceptance often involves a reevaluation of deeply held beliefs and a willingness to learn and adapt.

The Family: Mormons place a high value on family relationships, viewing them as eternal.
Traditional Marriage: The Church's doctrine traditionally defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Moral Guidelines: Mormons adhere to a specific set of moral principles that can present challenges.

Building Bridges: The Path Forward for Mormon Families

The journey of acceptance and understanding is ongoing. For Mormon families, it often requires a willingness to learn, adapt, and continually reaffirm their love and support for their LGBTQ+ children. While the challenges may be significant, the potential for stronger families and deeper connections is immense. By fostering open communication, seeking support from others, and remaining committed to love and understanding, Mormon families can navigate this journey with grace, strength, and unwavering faith.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/13674676.2017.1350942, Alternate LINK

Title: When A Child Comes Out In The Latter-Days: An Exploratory Case Study Of Mormon Parents

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Mental Health, Religion & Culture

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Elijah Nielson

Published: 2017-03-16

Everything You Need To Know

What are the core beliefs within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that create challenges for Mormon families when a child identifies as LGBTQ+?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasizes the importance of traditional marriage, defining it as between a man and a woman, and adhering to specific moral guidelines. These tenets are central to the faith of many Mormons. When a child identifies as LGBTQ+, it can create a tension between these core beliefs and the child's lived experience. This often leads Mormon parents to grapple with feelings of confusion, sadness, or even fear regarding their child's future, their place in the church, and potential social stigmas. This situation often requires a reevaluation of deeply held beliefs to facilitate acceptance.

How do Mormon parents typically react when their child comes out as LGBTQ+, and what challenges do they face?

When a child comes out as LGBTQ+, Mormon parents often face difficult questions about reconciling their faith with their child's identity and how to provide support while staying true to their beliefs. They may experience feelings of confusion, sadness, or fear, worrying about their child's future within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and potential social stigmas. The primary challenges involve navigating the conflict between the Church's doctrines, which emphasize traditional marriage and family structures, and their child's lived experience.

What does navigating the intersection of faith, family, and LGBTQ+ identity entail for Mormon families?

Navigating this intersection requires open communication, empathy, and a commitment to understanding. It's a process that can be emotionally challenging, but also deeply rewarding as families work to strengthen their bonds and create a supportive environment for all members. It involves a willingness to learn, adapt, and continually reaffirm their love and support for their LGBTQ+ children. This often includes reevaluating their understanding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' doctrines and seeking support from others who have navigated similar experiences.

In what ways can Mormon families build bridges and foster stronger connections when dealing with a child's LGBTQ+ identity?

Building bridges involves fostering open communication, seeking support from others, and remaining committed to love and understanding. Mormon families can navigate this journey with grace, strength, and unwavering faith. This may require Mormon parents to learn more about LGBTQ+ issues, challenge their own biases, and create a safe space for their child to express themselves. Additionally, it's essential for families to continually reaffirm their love and support, demonstrating that their child's LGBTQ+ identity does not diminish their worth or place within the family.

Besides family and religious considerations, what broader social implications do Mormon families face when supporting an LGBTQ+ child?

Beyond immediate family and religious considerations, Mormon families supporting an LGBTQ+ child may face scrutiny or judgment from within their religious community and broader society. This can lead to social stigmas, impacting the child's sense of belonging and the family's social standing within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Families may need to advocate for greater acceptance and understanding within their community, challenging traditional views and promoting inclusivity. This advocacy can extend to influencing church policies and creating safer spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Mormon faith.