Title: Out of the Bishop's Closet - A Call to Heal Ourselves, Each Other and Our World Author: Antonio Feliz Published by: Alamo Square Press, 1992 [second edition] ISBN: 0-9624751-7-3 [trade paperback, 198 pages]
Tony Feliz knew from childhood that he was drawn to members of his own sex, but as a dutiful Mormon he was convinced by the Elders to marry and raise a family. Tony's faith and hard work brought him up through the ranks of the Mormon priesthood, but the murmurings of his forbidden desires did not leave. With access to the L.D.S. archives, Tony was able to locate the source of Mormon prejudice against gays. He discovered it didn't start with Joseph Smith, who had actually sealed (married) male-male couples, but traced back to Brigham Young and the Victorian Era when the Mormons were forced to desert polygamy.When Tony came out as a gay man, he was excommunicated from the Church and distanced from his wife and children, but never separated from his faith.
This book is Tony's story. It reveals not only his anguish, but his ability to forgive a very mortal patriarchy blinded by unlimited power that has lost sight of their human fallibility.
This is a story of faith, compassion and most of all - forgiveness. Tony offers Mormons, especially those who stray from the iron law of the patriarchy, a chance to take a new look at their religion and grow from the experience.
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