Let me take you on a journey through my own personal transformation within my faith - this was a journey marked by struggle, growth, and ultimately, a profound sense of self-acceptance.

As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS),

I’ve had moments of doubt.

Of wrestling.

Of quietly asking questions that shook the foundation of what I thought I believed.

There were seasons when the expectations felt heavy.

The pressure to fit a certain mold... overwhelming at times.

I carried this sense that I had to choose... either be fully faithful or fully myself.

But what if it didn’t have to be either/or?

Somewhere in that tension, I found a quieter, more personal way forward.

I didn’t walk away from the Church...

but I did start walking differently within it.

I chose to stay engaged while giving myself permission

to question,

to wrestle,

to breathe.

I leaned into the parts of the gospel that brought peace and purpose...

and learned to hold the rest with grace.

It wasn’t easy.

There were uncomfortable moments,

hard conversations,

and long nights spent praying for clarity.

But with time,

I found something I didn’t expect:

a sense of wholeness.

A voice that felt entirely mine.

A place where I didn’t have to shrink or explain.

Today, I still show up.

Still serve.

Still love my faith.

But I do it as someone who is fully herself... unapologetically.

And that has changed everything.

If you’re in that same place...

wondering if there’s room for you inside the faith you love,

I want you to know: there is.

You don’t have to walk away to walk free.

You can belong, even while growing.

And you can shape a life of faith that’s both honest and holy.

So let’s walk this together.

Let’s be part of building a more inclusive, grace-filled Church

Where every person is free to be their wholehearted, faithful, unapologetic self.—I