I wasn’t affected (that I know of) by being asked these questions as a youth or as an adult. But my heart was touched by hearing the many troubles that this practice causes others. My concern went immediately to my daughter, an LDS teen. I wanted to take the step that so many others have…
This story is as an adult, but my last bishop asked wildly inappropriate questions to me during an interview. I felt sexually harassed, despite knowing that he had no right, even by Mormon standards, to ask those questions. I can’t imagine how he treats youth during worthiness interviews. In my case, my wife had told…
After having to switch to a different bishop, (the Bishopric was changed in the middle of my mission interviewing process), I showed up to a meeting where the new bishop acted like he had no knowledge of the things from my past that I had been working on with the previous bishop. (After a few…
I suffered needlessly for many years through a cycle of shame and guilt for what was normal behavior, but I was made to believe I was largely alone in, and was extremely serious.
I was born and raised in an LDS home where both parents served LDS Missions. I learned at a very early age that my parents disagreed about LDS Doctrine, and not only them but they disagreed with local Church leaders and Teachers, and all of them disagreed with the Brethren during General Conference, who even…
My childhood bishop asked me if I masturbated. I said no and he stared at me for a good 15-20 seconds in silence. It was very awkward and I felt like he assumed I was lying. He then asked if I was sure and stared at me in silence again. It was very uncomfortable. I…
I learned of this practice when my son who is now 39 was asked a question about masturbation during his 16th birthday interview. This was his interview to be ordained a priest. This question effectively caused my son to no longer want anything to do with the church. My son shared the fact he was…
I was a high school student wanting to go to BYU. As part of the admissions process I had to obtain an ecclesiastic endorsement from my stake president. In my opinion, a stake president should be a source of support and encouragement to a young person. I expected to be greeted warmly and congratulated on…
When I was a young child, I explored my body and quite by accident found something that felt good. I didn’t really think anything of it, and it became part of my routine. When I was about 15, I learned that what I had been doing all these years was called masturbation, and it was…
As I was preparing to serve a mission, it was very important to me to be honest in my interviews with my bishop. I did not think I would be able to serve with a clear conscience if I had lied. Despite confessing to occasional masturbation, my bishop said he felt comfortable recommending me for…