When I was 16 I had been dating someone for awhile. It was standard to have a bishop’s interview to get a dance card and stuff. I went in to my interview already nervous because my boyfriend and I had been “petting.” My bishop asked if I was dating, if I was in a relationship,…
It wasn’t until I was 40 that I realized the damage Mormon bishop interviews had played a part in my life. By all accounts I am a successful and happy man. But behind the scenes I have led a life of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Not all of this can be blamed on Mormonism…
I am an active member of the Church, who served a mission and is sealed in the temple. I have faithfully served my whole life but unfortunately personally know of two Bishops who have sexually abused children. My dad joined the Church later in life when he was 42. He had only been a member…
To cut a long and painful story short, my bishop who was a dear friend of my father would ask me directly “Do you masturbate?” He would ask frequency, how long it would take until completion, and what I would masturbate to. I never realized how disgusting this was, even at 16 because of how…
Aside from the invasive interview questions. I was asked such questions out of the interview senario (casual talk questions). I remember I was about 13 and I was waiting for the cultural hall to be opened for an activity. And our current bishop at that time was also outside waiting. And out of nowhere he’d…
I was 15 years old when my biological father raped and sodomized me over 130 times for a period which lasted nine long months. I had been kicked out of my home by my stepfather, and ignored by the mother who would rather please the priesthood holder in the home, than stand up for her…
I remember having so much anxiety about meeting with the bishop that I would throw up before I met with the bishop. In my mission interview my stake president asked if I had sex with animals. I remember hating myself for years due to inappropriate questions. Later in college I was talking to my bishop…
When I was around 11, I had a soccer coach, I was a strong athlete with hopes of going on to play in college. I was one of the best players in the state in middle school. My coach took a special liking to me and frequently was invited to special family gatherings. He became…
I know you are going through a tough time right now Sam, so I wanted to tell you how you have helped my little family in a way that wouldn’t risk doxing ourselves. At the age of 14, my wife was raped. She did not go to the police, but instead went to her parents.…
I was asked multiple times if I masturbated and then he explained how bad it is and the addictive nature of it. I denied it but felt guilty for years until I attempted to take my life 2 seperate times. Finally I admitted to my bishop that I masturbated and what he said didn’t make…