Introductory Post

Hi,

Welcome to Good Fruit. I hope you find something of value here.

I started this because I’ve wanted a place to organize my thoughts, feelings, experiences, and life—and maybe even share them—for a long time. Over the years, through a lot of therapy and reflection, I’ve learned that I deeply value vulnerability in others. I try hard to be positive and supportive when people are going through vulnerable times. But I’ve also learned that when it comes to showing my own true vulnerability, I’ve been more resistant than I thought. I’ve been a much more guarded person than I ever realized. This is meant to be a journey to change that.

I want to share why I chose the name Good Fruit.

If by chance you don’t know me, I’m Stephen. I grew up in a small town in central Utah, raised in the LDS Church and faith community. My dad taught seminary for his career, so calling us a classic, traditional LDS family feels accurate. The faith was our way of life. I grew up on religion, immersed in doctrine. By the time I graduated high school, I had read all four of the church’s primary standard works—the Old and New Testaments in the Bible, as well as the Book of Mormon. I also served a full-time, two‑year mission for the LDS Church in Kansas and Oklahoma. While I have since left the church, it would feel disingenuous not to acknowledge how much it has shaped me.

Recently, I had a nearly five‑hour conversation with one of my older brothers. We covered a lot—my thoughts and interests in personal finance (which is related to my work), and religion. He had been attending a work conference focused on building bridges and fostering greater understanding and unity, particularly between communities of faith and marginalized communities, with the LGBTQ+ community prominently featured. He was deeply moved by the experience and was sharing many of his thoughts and impressions with me.

At one point, he went to lunch with another man at the conference, someone in a similar role at a larger university. As they talked, my brother learned that this man was gay and had been married to his husband for ten years. They’d been together for eighteen years total. My brother shared my story with him—how he’s walked with me through my coming‑out journey. I know it can’t have always been easy for my family, with all the changes we’ve gone through.

During these lunch conversations, this man was struck by my brother’s honesty and his genuine love and support for me, despite coming from such a religious background. When he was asked what he thinks of me and my life choices, my brother responded by quoting the New Testament: “By their fruits ye shall know them.” He talked about how a good tree cannot bear bad fruit. He told this man that he sees me—his openly gay brother who has stepped away from the church he loves—as good fruit. And that good fruit bears more good fruit. He felt that in his heart.

When I was thinking about starting this, at the advice of several loved ones, a therapist, and others, I struggled to find a name. I finally asked myself, “What do I want to come from something like this?” That conversation with my brother came to mind. What do I hope may come from this? I hope it bears good fruit.

What do I hope those fruits will be? I hope to offer solidarity, for anyone who needs it, through vulnerability, honesty, and a genuine desire for greater understanding. I hope to offer compassion, and to help increase understanding and compassion—especially in a world that so often tells us to tear each other apart.

While I don’t intend to be a full‑fledged critic of the faith I grew up in, I may offer criticism at times. I may share vulnerable experiences and feelings that won’t always sound like a positive review of the church. This space is first and foremost for me—for my thoughts and feelings. Maybe that will change one day, but for now, I think it’s important to make that clear. If that’s not something you want to engage with, then in the immortal words of LDS hymn #255: “Carry on, carry on, carry on.”

But if you sincerely want to walk with me and help increase understanding… if you need reassurance or compassion… if you want to learn and have an open mind and heart… then I hope you find something of value here.

And if you’ve made it this far—congrats! You’ve already exceeded my expectations, and I’m thankful for that. ❤️

—Stephen