The worthiness interviews containing questions of a sexual nature drove me to avoid relationships with the opposite sex out of fear of sinning for my entire young adult life. I could have dated as a teenager. I didn’t. I was asked to prom. I didn’t go. I could have had normal healthy relationships, but I…
I started masturbating when I was maybe 13 years old after reading about it in a book about puberty and learning about it at school. I was simply curious. It didn’t feel sexual at all to me, more like having someone tickle your back or something. Just a pleasant physical sensation. I didn’t know for…
When I lived in the Apple Valley area of California, I decided to go to my bishop after speaking with my dad about my sexual activity as a teen. In the course of meeting with my bishop, he asked me many detailed questions about how many partners I had sex with. If I truly was…
When I turned eight years old, my parents took me to the bishop’s office to have my baptism interview. Before I went into the room, I asked my parents if they would go with me. They assured me there was nothing to worry about, the bishop was a priesthood holder and could be trusted. Then…
My 12 year old daughter went into the bishops office for her 12-year-old interview. I joined her. After the friendly and brief interview we asked if she could go ahead and get her temple recommend while we were there. He said yes and proceeded with the questions. When He asked her if she followed the…
My Mormon story: growing up in Utah you had to be Mormon to be able to play with your friends. So i had been baptized around 4th grade. I took the lessons on my own, would go to church and sit by myself. I would fast alone as a young child because my dad and…
My heart just breaks. I was subjected to these interviews as a youth. I had endured many years of sexual abuse as a child beginning at the age of 4. The perpetrator was not a member of the LDS church, but was my mother’s step-brother. My victimizer threatened me that he would hurt me and…
When I was 14 or 15 I was asked if I had, had an organism after answering a question about chastity. I didn’t even know what that was, and had to ask. Now thinking back I can’t believe how inappropriate of a question that is. Completely wrong.
When I turned 14, I was like any normal child. We had moved to a new town, and I was finding my footing. I went to a youth dance for LDS children and I met some friends. I asked my mom if I could stay over at my new friends house, and she said that…
40 years ago or more, I was interviewed on several occasions by my stake president. He was a big tall man and a man of influence. He eventually became a regional representative. I am torn between writing this and not. I was a young teenager when my bishop started asking me if I touched myself.…