I don’t think it only occurs for children in Church private interviews to receive inappropriate questions during private closed door bishop and other Church worthiness interviews. I was a newly called full time Elder missionary at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. My home ward and stake had never set me apart for my…
I had great bishops growing up. I always felt like they were sincere in trying to help me be a better person, and to this day, I still appreciate them. When I got back from my mission and started at BYU, I decided to tell the bishop of my new YSA ward that I am…
Mine is not a horrible story with graphic details. It is simply a story of what these questions do to a very normal young man. From the age of 12, my bishops asked me about masturbation. My bishops told me how I should fight Satan when confronted with the urge of self gratification. Each bishop…
I grew up in a “happy” devout Mormon family; and yet I felt completely isolated and alone my entire childhood. My sister and step-dad had such obvious contempt for me we rarely spoke. My mother admitted to me on multiple occasions that she felt she had lost the bond with me as an infant. So…
As a 14 year old, I was in a relationship with a high school junior. This boy convinced me to enter a slightly sexual relationship with him. Being 14 and in love, I didn’t know any better. I felt like I was sexually assaulted by him. Things he tried to do to me, hurt. What…
This is a bit of a different story. A few months after I became primary president, I found out of two additional active men in my ward who are registered sex offenders. I realized I often ask men in the ward to substitute in primary because it was nearly impossible to get men as primary…
Constant shame and guilt, the feeling before and after every meeting with the bishop. Awkwardly entering the room sitting down alone. Three feet away from a man I have never known in my life in the slightest. My guts twisting and churning knowing what questions are to come soon that I in the moment would…
Hello! My name is William and I am celebrating my 28th birthday today… Even though I am so grateful to have another year of life, there were times where it was not that easy…. Confusing aspects of sexuality in my childhood started around 7 years of age, where my bishop at the time, had to…
Where to start? So many instances though 4 stick out in my mind the most. I think my experiences were more of the run-of-the-mill variety – though it’s sad to have to say that at all. TL;DR: As a child I ruined an important relationship with my mentor/leader due to what I confessed during an…
I grew up in an LDS home in Utah. Church every Sunday, parents fulfilling church callings, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. At 12 years old I went to the bishop for a temple recommend. I hated the closed doors and one-on-one “interview”. It was scary. He asked me the questions about tithing and chastity. Not…