Shane
My name is Shane Carpenter and I serve as an openly gay missionary in the LDS Church.
Serving a mission is among the most difficult yet rewarding experiences a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints may have. The young men of my faith are strongly advised and even expected to serve a mission.
Pronouns: he/him
Photo of Shane
With this said, choosing an already difficult service while doing so in an unprecedented way was not the easiest choice for me, but it was one of the most fulfilling choices I have ever made.
Growing up, serving a mission for my church and my God was something I always saw for myself. However, the idea of contributing something big for myself was the prospect of my missionary service looking a bit more colorful and diverse than others.
Some in the LDS Church are not supportive of the LGBTQIA+ Community, just as some in any religious affiliation. Knowing this, and while I had already decided that I would serve a mission, I needed to figure out if I would serve as my whole self or not.
After much time building courage, I leaped to begin my mission in Anaheim, California! I wish I could adequately describe the joy that I have obtained through loving God by serving His children. I have learned that LDS missionaries represent Jesus Christ. There were some during my experience who claimed I could not represent Jesus Christ as an openly gay missionary.
May my experience and witness to God and His loving work be tangible evidence that He can and does pave the way for ANYONE to serve and represent Him.
To represent Jesus Christ means to come as you are with a willingness to become who He sees you can one day be. Thus, as I served with all my many colors, He took every part of me, including my sexuality, and shaped me into something more beautiful than I could’ve ever imagined. He can do this for you as well!
In a world where we always need more Jesus, I have found joy in choosing to serve others, and therefore Him, with authentic courage and kindness.
Photo of Shane