When I was 13, my bishop asked me if I masturbated. I didn’t know what that was at the time, since sex was a prohibited topic in my household growing up. I just answered “no”, because, by the way he said it, it seemed like it was something bad. When I was 16 and lost…
When I was 15, I was raped by a 22 yr old man at a house party. I became pregnant from that encounter. I had been going down the wrong path; partying and drinking. I felt like I had brought it all upon myself. I dreaded telling my mother, who was raising me and my…
The amount of shame and unbearable guilt I felt as an innocent teenager caused permanent damage due to this line of sexual questioning and incorrect doctrine. I also remember the Stake President staring me down when I was with his daughter. Incorrectly assuming terrible things about me I suppose. This stuff has consequences. I developed…
I have memories of my childhood bishop interviews that make me uncomfortable, but the one that stands out to me the most was when I met with my bishop before getting a recommend to be married in the temple. I had never done anything before meeting my husband, that would have required a confession for…
I was asked if I masturbated before I knew what is was and before the thought had occurred to me. I was 13. It sounded bad, so I stammered out a “no.” I had to ask my friend who had just had the same question in her interview. As I grew more mature and ,…
I was born into and raised in another church. I was baptized as an infant, received my first communion, went through catechism, and was confirmed as a member of that church when I was 15-years-old. Six months later I met a beautiful girl that was Mormon. She was not just beautiful in appearance; she was…
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 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…