I had the usual worthiness interviews starting at age twelve. Until I was fifteen, they were always on script. I never had anything to say to the contrary of any of the questions, I was never prodded. I did dislike the youth temple trip interviews being done during church hours being pulled out of class…
Utah has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the country. It is getting worse. When I was raised in the Mormon church, every week every bishop that I had, talked about Masturbation. When I hear the word Mormon the very first thought that I think about is masturbation. The second thought is masturbation.…
I was sexually abused twice as a child by a family member. First, at around 7 years old, and then again at 9 years old. That in itself was a difficult thing to overcome, and I was told by family that it wasn’t my fault, and that I was a victim. My abuser wore garments…
I was 5 years old when I discovered masturbation. I guess I could blame it on my babysitter using shampoo in my bubble bath which lead to a bad yeast infection. But my parents had no idea about it for years until right before my 8th birthday. My dad was my Branch President at the…
I was born into the LDS church. I attended faithfully with my family. Went to nursery, primary, and young women’s every Sunday except for the few Sundays we were out of town on vacation. Church was a major part in my life. I believed in its doctrine because it had been ingrained in me since…
Written 11 November 2017 So much anger, So much shame, Looking for someone Someone to blame. I thought for years. I thought it was me. That I was the wrong one. The bad one was me. Carrying the guilt. Carrying all the shame. That who I was Was bad. Was wrong. I was to blame.…
“Do you masturbate?” It was the first time I had heard the word, and it sounded like something bad, so I quickly said no. I was 14 years old, and He was the bishop. As a 14 year old I was dating a young man in the same ward. During the same set of interviews,…
As a child I was taught that it was wrong to touch yourself – but that your husband could touch you after you got married. I remember as a young married woman still feeling shame to even explore my body in a non-sexual nature. But my husband could touch anywhere he wanted. He would frequently…
I first learned about the LDS church the school year after I was raped at 14 years old. It was a case of coercion, I was told he cared about me and he wouldn’t stop pressuring me until I realized there was nothing I could say to make him stop, I had already said no…
I grew up faithfully active in the church and believed all the doctrine I was taught, including the proper steps for repentance. When I was 14 I started dating a boy who sexually assaulted me. I was manipulated into continuing my relationship with him and allowing his behavior. When I was 16 I started dating…