Are You Aware? My Complicated Life as a Transgender Latter-Day Saint
This is part II in our LGBTQ+ Education Awareness Wednesday series. Read the other posts in the series here.
Ever since I can remember, I have felt that I was somehow different. As I got older, I learned that the way I was different was not OK — even shameful. I hated this part of myself that made me different. I prayed and wished and hoped that someday I could be the same as everyone else.
My name is Ann Pack and I am a transgender woman.
It has taken decades for me to not only be OK with this part of myself but actually love and embrace this part of who I am. I never imagined this could happen.
What surprised me most is that as I began to love all parts of myself, my relationship with my Savior grew stronger. Everything just started to feel more right, and I knew my Heavenly Father loved me and had a purpose for me.
I don’t believe God makes mistakes, because if He did, He would cease to be God. But I do believe He sent us here to earth to learn right from wrong and to have experiences that would help us grow and progress and become more like Him. I believe God knew I would be born transgender, and He allowed that to happen so I could learn, grow, and progress.
In Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon, it says, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
I was sure I knew what was best for me and how my life should go. But God knew better. Where I was broken, He made whole. I know I am a daughter of God and that He loves me.
You can read more about Ann in this Salt Lake Tribune article.
If you would like to learn more about the transgender experience, please follow the links here, here, and here.
Ann Pack is a transgender woman and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the oldest of five children and has lived in Utah her whole life. She served a full-time mission in London, England. Ann married her wife Brigit 20 years ago in the Bountiful temple, and together they have a 15-year-old daughter.
