When I was 16 we went to visit my grandpa who was living in Rexburg at the time and my older brother who was attending Ricks. One night I woke up to him fondling me and reaching his hand up my shirt. I was so shocked and terrified I could barely say who are you? I woke up my sister who woke up my parents. We drove home to Alberta shortly after that. I was angry and hurt. My parents made me go see the bishop. What did he say to me? The first thing he said to me? You have to forgive him or you will never be forgiven for your mistakes. I was not given any support. I was counseled not to press charges because it would destroy his life. My brother obviously was not allowed to stay at Ricks. So my parents brought him home. I ran away for a night. Then was told if I wanted to come home I had to follow their rules. What the hell? But he is allowed to be there?? That point in life changed me. I learned the church didn’t care about protecting me and that my parents would only follow what the church wanted. It’s been 20 years and it still makes me angry and sad.
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