'Mom, will I ever make it to heaven?' Gay boy asked, but it was his Mom's reply that left him in tears
'If you aren't in heaven, I am not going.'
Jake David (@jakedavidhome on Instagram), a Mormon gay man, was always very insecure about his sexuality. In fact, he was at first scared to come out to his parents, let alone the world. What made it even more difficult was his religious beliefs. His family was a follower of Jesus Christ through the teachings of the LDS Church, and he was always worried that he wouldn't make it to heaven because of his sexuality. Terrified, David asked his parents, and his mom's response in particular changed the way he perceived himself. He posted the video on January 27.
David went through a tough time, torn apart between contradicting thoughts. He wanted to accept his reality but was scared he wouldn't make it to heaven if he married a man. "I was drowning. Not sure how to say it, not sure how to live," he said, recalling the difficult time. David somehow mustered the courage to accept his sexuality openly, but that didn't go in his favor. He was kicked out of his college and even the church because no one seemed comfortable accepting a gay man. Defeated by society, David went to his mom and asked the only question that had been disturbing him. "Will I ever make it to heaven?" he asked, and she gently replied, "Jake, it's not heaven if you aren't there." That response instantly changed something within him. His dad's reaction was equally wholesome, as he assured him, "If you aren't in heaven, I am not going."
His parents' confidence changed his perspective on life; David slowly regained his self-esteem and embarked on a mission to help others in a similar situation. In 2016, he helped build LGBTQ centers at three different locations. Two years later, David joined Dan Reynolds, the American singer's foundation supporting LGBTQ+ youth. In 2022, he shifted his focus to real estate and became an interior designer. "A few words changed my life forever... that kind of love is rare. And when it is given, it reshapes what you believe is possible for yourself," he confessed.
More often than not, people actually chase validation only from people they love, and not from the whole world. Research titled "LGBT Youth and Family Acceptance" found that more parental acceptance is linked to more positive outcomes in individuals from the LGBTQ+ community. The study noted that when parents openly embraced their homosexual kids' identity, the youth felt more comfortable and confident in their skin. In fact, when parents already know about their sexual orientation, the kids reported experiencing less insecurity and shame compared to those who don't come out to their families. It was also found that parental rejection leads to serious health issues in the LGBTQ+ community. They are more likely to feel symptoms of depression and hold on to other harmful practices as an escape.
Meanwhile, reacting to David's story, @bloody2shoes commented, "I'm so grateful that you were able to find your way into letting your beautiful self shine. You are magic." Similarly, @kirstenciera shared, "My son is going through his own faith journey and told us recently that he doesn’t believe in God the way we do. My parents were coming to visit, and I knew they would wonder why he wasn’t going to church, so I asked his permission to tell my parents. He said yes, so I did. My mom’s first reaction was, 'Well, what will you do when you all get to the celestial kingdom, and he’s not there?' I said, 'We won’t be there because we will be wherever he is.' No questions. No notes. Wherever he is, that's our celestial kingdom." @barblamby wrote, "Jake David… of COURSE you're going to heaven. Never should you or ANYONE else think any differently! You have been and always will be amazing, and it goes way beyond that!"
You can follow Jake David (@jakedavidhome) on Instagram for more motivational content.
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