When I was in high school, I was raped by someone I trusted. At the time, I couldn’t comprehend what happened to me. I felt dirty and guilty for being involved with sexual activity, even though it was not my choice. I went and talked to my bishop and explained that this young man had…
When I was about 13-14 there was a lot of abuse in my home mainly from my parents to me. Now I know more information of classic abuse situations, I had one written by the very definition. I was told that we don’t talk about our family situations outside of our home to anyone. I…
I knew early on in high school I didn’t want to be a part of the LDS faith, but I continued to go for my parents. When I was 15, I was called in for a semi-annual interview with the bishop. We were alone in his office together and after questions about faith he moved…
I had grown up in the church from about age 9 but had not been baptized yet. My mother was not LDS but I lived with my father and step mother and attended church every Sunday or else we were grounded for the following week. I was an inquisitive child and asked “why” way too…
I was first asked by my bishop if I engaged in masturbation when I was 11-years-old, in a worthiness interview prior to be ordained a deacon. I had never heard the word. At that time, he told me that if I didn’t know what I meant, I probably didn’t have a problem. It made me…
In 1987 I was a single 19 year old BYU student. I can fairly confidently add that I was an intelligent, savvy, and questioning young woman, who, despite serious misgivings about the LDS church, had decided to whole-heartedly commit to living the LDS gospel in the hopes that I could gain a “testimony” of its…
A forum to tell my story? Really? I have been discounted and labeled a sinner by Mormon leadership and doctrine for so many years it’s impossible for me to believe any one actually cares to hear my story unless it’s to condemn me while promoting the truthfulness of the Mormon Gospel. Currently our 12-year-old granddaughter…
I went to a church university in the mid 1980s. I was super young and naive. I was also raped by my Family Home Evening Brother. We had been playing “Night Games” by the church, and he offered to walk me home for safety’s sake. This particular semester I lived with only one other girl…
Because I had not been allowed to date before 16, when I finally did go on a date with a boy I had had a crush on for a very long time, I was totally and completely inexperienced. I had gone back to my former city to visit during summer vacation when he asked me out. Shortly…
Shame, shame and more shame on the LDS brethren. I have seen a great friend’s son commit suicide. The LDS church played a role. Shame on Joe Bishop. Shame on the LDS cover-up. Shame on the Eagle Mountain stake President for siding with the adulterer husband. I am repulsed by my religion.