#1021 Name Withheld. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8,9. Other: Victim blaming

I have a few stories so I’ll keep them brief. A bit of background, I’m a 21 year old woman from a multi generational Mormon family on my mom’s side and second generation on my dad’s side. I’ve watched the church erode our family and extended family. I left when I was 19 and have…

#1018 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8. Other: Ideas of self-mutilation

I first stated masturbation at a young age. It was a secret I kept. I felt awkward about it when other boys talked about it as they learned about sex from their parents and I did not. I didn’t think much of it until I remember seeing a video with my Mormon peers which claimed…

#1012 Tori L. CS: 1,2,3,5,6,7,8. Other: Severe alcoholism

This story belongs to my mother. In 1970, in Salem, Utah, C.G. was a naive and innocent 11 year old, happy and willing to babysit the children of her Sunday school teacher. She endured multiple episodes of fondling, kissing, and hypersexualized discussion, on her teacher’s living room floor. THEN, the wife of this vile human…

1009 Name Hidden. CS: 1,3. Other: Destroyed Marriage

I’m writing to say this petition doesn’t go far enough. As good faithful members, my wife and I have always been instructed throughout our lives to speak to the Bishop regarding transgressions. We’re told this is a requirement for all members to do in order to receive the fullness of God’s blessings. Marriage can be…

1008 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,7,8

Masturbation. Just before turning 12, I was called in for an interview with the Bishop prior to becoming a deacon. One of his questions was if I have a problem with masturbation. I didn’t know what the word meant. I said, no. Puberty hit me at age 14 and from 14-18 “self-abuse” became a frequent…

1006 Name Hidden. CS: 1,3,7. Other: Distrust in authority figures

I was raised in the Mormon church, until I decided to leave it behind at around age 19. I was fairly lucky in that my family wasn’t very active in the church beyond Sunday school and the occasional cookout or what have you, so I missed a lot in terms of interacting with the bishops.…