When I was 18, I had my first sexual encounter with a boy. I was so scared to confess because I didn’t want my parents to find out, but eventually the guilt overcame me when I was in a meeting with the stake president about preparing for a mission. I told him I wasn’t worthy…
I don’t know if my story is typical, at least the later parts of it, but the beginning part I believe, is almost common in the church, at least among those of my peers who, like me, and my oldest son, with whom I have discussed this issue, had the desire to be completely honest…
I was lucky enough that my father was my Bishop during my formative teenage years so the damage and shame I received as a youth was from other people in leadership positions or during lessons and not one-on-one interviews at an early age. I never had negative experiences with a Bishop, but that changed my…