Matthew Struggled with Same-Sex Attraction, was Excommunicated, then Found Freedom in Jesus Christ

August 2, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Matthew Richardson grew up in a faithful LDS home in Ogden, Utah, with loving parents who balanced grace and truth. At 13, he was introduced to pornography and simultaneously realized he experienced same-sex attraction. This created years of inner turmoil, suicidal thoughts, and a pattern of cycling between devotion to God and descent into what he describes as a dark lifestyle of addiction, hookups, and paying for sex. After a divorce and excommunication, he reached a point of desperation where he decided to test a biblical promise: “If you walk in my spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” Over three to four months of intense prayer, fasting, scripture study, and isolation from temptation, he reports that Jesus Christ purged the demon of lust from his mind. He has been sober for nearly a year, was rebaptized on the day of this recording, and now coaches others struggling with sexual identity and pornography.

The spiral: from a protected home to the darkest abyss

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

Never miss an episode of Come Back Podcast

Get every new episode summarized in your inbox — free, ~5 minutes to read.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Opening & Event Announcement** - Ashley Stone introduces the episode and promotes the "Come Back to Christ" event on October 10th.
2 (02:52) **Introducing Matthew Richardson** - Ashley brings on Matthew, noting he is getting baptized the same day as the recording.
3 (06:44) **Early Childhood & First Encounters with Pornography** - Matthew describes his sheltered LDS upbringing and the shock of junior high.
4 (09:20) **Coming Out to Parents & Suicidal Thoughts** - Matthew recounts his darkest moment at age 13.
5 (12:12) **Anger at God & Descent into Rebellion** - Matthew describes his teenage bitterness and testing of boundaries.
6 (14:38) **Identity in Sports & Two ACL Tears** - Matthew’s athletic identity collapses and he questions God.
7 (17:22) **Turning Point: God’s Will & Mission** - A conversation with his aunt shifts his perspective.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

" When I rooted my identity in the Lord like I never have before, I realized that I am not the carnal desires of my body... "Therefore, crucify the lusts of the flesh and walk in the spirit." (Gal 5:5). As I've done that, I have come to realize full-heartedly, I am not my sexuality... In the scriptures it says freedom comes where the spirit of the Lord is, and freedom comes when sin is no longer your master. I have experienced freedom from same-sex attraction. It doesn't mean that God came and removed the thorn in my side, but it means that when I walk in His Spirit, I can stand immovable and unwavering in the face of temptation as Jesus did."

00:00 Paralyzed By Blackmail

06:35 Teen Years And Inner Turmoil

14:33 Identity Shattered

18:43 Mission Highs And Dark Relapse

26:50 Divorce and Dark Spiral

32:25 Rock Bottom to Scripture Routine

38:49 Deliverance and New Life

46:05 Baptism Miracle

Tickets to the Come Back to Christ Event: www.comebackpodcast.org

Mike's Auto Shack

https://mikesautoshack.com/

Serve Clothing code COMEBACK for 15% off

https://serveclothing.com/

If you have a story to share please submit here: https://comebackpodcast.org/submissions/

For inquiries contact [email protected]

Come Back Team:

Director, Founder, & Host: Ashly Stone

Editor: Cara Reed

Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson

Assistant Editor: Britt Smallze

Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

Production Director: Trent Wardwell