#106 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3
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.
#105 Travis G. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7. Other: false and insufficient sexual education
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…
#104 Jacob F. CS: 1,2
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…
#103 Name Hidden. CS: 1
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…
#102 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,6,7
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…
#101 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8. Other: Eating Disorder
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…
#100 Scott D. CS: 1,2,3,4
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…
#99 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,7
Until my worthiness interview prior to becoming a priest at age 16, my father had never so much as mentioned the word “masturbation” to me. But then my father became the bishop of our ward and took on new responsibilities and duties which apparently included teaching his son about sinful sexuality. “Do you know what…
#97 Name Hidden. CS: 1,3,4,6,7,8
When I was 18 I had my first boyfriend. We went what I thought at the time was ‘too far’ one night and I felt soo guilty. I had been taught all my life that I needed the bishop to fix big mistakes. So I made an appointment. I went in and told my bishop…
#96 Bryce B. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8,9, Other: impaired sexual relations (I have never been married), hating myself for being gay
Growing up a gay Mormon child is really difficult. The first person I came out to was my bishop, a man from our neighborhood whose house I played at when I was a child. I came out to my parents soon after. I was 15. After that, I told each of my priesthood leaders throughout…