Karim Lazarus's guest appearances

Karim Lazarus

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Latter-day Saint Commentary from the Pacific Northwest - Rocky Mountain Sunshine Podcast

Andy Miller

Brian Johnson

Chad Curtis

Ashley Smith

Matt Easton

Nathan Smith

Bryce Johnson

Dina Alexander

Chad Cannon

Rebekah Clark

Adam Baker

Thomas McConkie

Kurt Francom

Anthony Sweat

Jana Riess

OwlTail

Do you know someone who has stepped away from the Church for a while and then later returned? I love hearing stories about how people find their way back to the Church and enjoy the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ again in their life. I was listening to a podcast recently by Richard Ostler called Listen, Learn, &amp; Love. The introduction of this episode said that the guest was from Baltimore, MD. I’ve been there several times. Usually just flying in and then driving to Harrisburg, PA. Then the host said the guest’s name. Karim Lazarus. The last name was unique and sounded familiar. I thought that there was a missionary in our mission with that name. He then said that he was 50 years old. I’m 50. So that matched. He was a convert to the Church and went on a mission a year later and served a mission in France.  I thought that it was a good chance that it was the missionary from my mission. The host said that he had spent 15 years out of the church, and now had come back to full activity. Karim then told about his life growing up without a dad in the home. He had some difficult experiences growing up. In between his junior and senior year of military high school, their family went through temple square and he was given a Book of Mormon. He was in the back of a motorhome as they traveled and he read it. He read it another time and then went to the Air Force Academy.  At the Air Force Academy, one of the other cadets had a Book of Mormon. He struck up a conversation with this person and the cadet eventually introduced Karim to the missionaries. He took the lessons and he joined the Church. He decided to go on a mission a year later. As Karim was telling his story he mentioned his mission president, Neil L. Andersen in Bordeaux, France.  So now I knew that he was definitely a missionary in my mission.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rocky-mountain-sunshine/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rocky-mountain-sunshine/support

Do you know someone who has stepped away from the Church for a while and then later returned? I love hearing stories about how people find their way back to the Church and enjoy the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ again in their life. I was listening to a podcast recently by Richard Ostler called Listen, Learn, &amp; Love. The introduction of this episode said that the guest was from Baltimore, MD. I’ve been there several times. Usually just flying in and then driving to Harrisburg, PA. Then the host said the guest’s name. Karim Lazarus. The last name was unique and sounded familiar. I thought that there was a missionary in our mission with that name. He then said that he was 50 years old. I’m 50. So that matched. He was a convert to the Church and went on a mission a year later and served a mission in France.  I thought that it was a good chance that it was the missionary from my mission. The host said that he had spent 15 years out of the church, and now had come back to full activity. Karim then told about his life growing up without a dad in the home. He had some difficult experiences growing up. In between his junior and senior year of military high school, their family went through temple square and he was given a Book of Mormon. He was in the back of a motorhome as they traveled and he read it. He read it another time and then went to the Air Force Academy.  At the Air Force Academy, one of the other cadets had a Book of Mormon. He struck up a conversation with this person and the cadet eventually introduced Karim to the missionaries. He took the lessons and he joined the Church. He decided to go on a mission a year later. As Karim was telling his story he mentioned his mission president, Neil L. Andersen in Bordeaux, France.  So now I knew that he was definitely a missionary in my mission.--- Send in a voice message: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rocky-mountain-sunshine/message" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rocky-mountain-sunshine/message</a> Support this podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rocky-mountain-sunshine/support" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rocky-mountain-sunshine/support</a>

Coming back to Church - Karim Lazarus - Ep 37

My friend Karim Lazarus (age 50, living in Baltimore) vulnerably shares his life story. Karim shares growing up in a single-parent home, being sexually abused (which he shares did not make him gay), finding his home in a military high school in Virginia and attending the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where he joined the Church.  That led to Karim, after one year in the Church, courageously serving a mission in the France Bordeaux Mission under President Neil L. Anderson which was a great experience.  After his mission, Karim returned to Academy but had some difficult church experiences that ultimately led to him step away. From 2003 through 2019, Karim was not active in the Church and was in relationships with men—including a deeply fulfilling relationship that ended a couple years ago.  Karim always maintained an excellent relationship with Heavenly Father and our Savior and felt their love and acceptance.  Karim, even while out of the Church, read conference talks and was aware of general Church direction---especially on LGBTQ issues.  Over the past few years, Karim sensed a better tone from the Church towards its LGBTQ members and felt a desire to return to the Church.  He eventually reached out to his Bishop in Baltimore and told him his life story.  His Bishop responded with no shame--but rather with love, compassion and acceptance.  Karim now holds a temple recommend and has Stake and Ward callings. Thank you Karim for the being on the podcast and sharing your story.   Respect for being so vulnerable and honest.   Thanks for your military service.   Your story will help so many.  Please Check Out My New Book At:   Deseret Book: www.deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints  Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773

My friend Karim Lazarus (age 50, living in Baltimore) vulnerably shares his life story. Karim shares growing up in a single-parent home, being sexually abused (which he shares did not make him gay), finding his home in a military high school in Virginia and attending the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where he joined the Church. That led to Karim, after one year in the Church, courageously serving a mission in the France Bordeaux Mission under President Neil L. Anderson which was a great experience. After his mission, Karim returned to Academy but had some difficult church experiences that ultimately led to him step away. From 2003 through 2019, Karim was not active in the Church and was in relationships with men—including a deeply fulfilling relationship that ended a couple years ago. Karim always maintained an excellent relationship with Heavenly Father and our Savior and felt their love and acceptance. Karim, even while out of the Church, read conference talks and was aware of general Church direction---especially on LGBTQ issues. Over the past few years, Karim sensed a better tone from the Church towards its LGBTQ members and felt a desire to return to the Church. He eventually reached out to his Bishop in Baltimore and told him his life story. His Bishop responded with no shame--but rather with love, compassion and acceptance. Karim now holds a temple recommend and has Stake and Ward callings. Thank you Karim for the being on the podcast and sharing your story. Respect for being so vulnerable and honest. Thanks for your military service. Your story will help so many. Please Check Out My New Book At: Deseret Book: <a href="http://www.deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints</a> Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773</a>

Episode 423: Karim Lazarus, Convert, Gay, Out of the Church for 15+ Years, Returned in 2020