I converted to the church at the impressionable age of 16. My parents did not go to the church and they had no knowledge of what was asked during bishop interviews. And I never told them. If I had, they’d probably make me leave the church, and at the time, I thought the church was…
When I was 9 years old, I was molested by a boy who lived in my neighborhood. I told my parents right after it happened. My parents got the boy and parents involved. Asked for my story, then the boys side. The boy’s parents asked for the cops not to get involved. (The boy was…
My father physically/sexually abused, neglected, and abandoned his children, with no remorse. When this was brought to the attention of multiple bishops and stake presidents, his vehement denial was all they needed to brush us off. He continued to go to the temple with his recommend and hold callings in his ward… now he is…
I was molested by my stepdad in 1988 when I was 8 years old, told my family to get help with no avail. The abuse began to occur again in 1994-95 which included watching me bathe and change my clothes by holes drilled into the walls, doors and showers. I reported all of the abuse…
I went to my bishop as a teenager for help navigating trauma from childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. He connected me to some resources and was an empathetic and curious listener– too curious, sometimes. We met a couple times a month for about year. He was always physically affectionate with me giving full body…
Beginning when I was 9 years old, I had an older brother that repeatedly tried to coerce me into playing sexual games with my 7 year old sister. I was too young to understand what was happening then, but many years later I learned that he had begun raping her. When I wouldn’t go as…
This is very difficult so I’ll make it short. I was damaged quite badly by the shame I felt for so called sins and transgressions. I feel like I was conditioned to talk about things of a sexual nature to older men which I feel made it easier for a predator to sink his teeth…
I was fortunate to have the leaders that I did, they always treated me with respect. However, I did suffer from self-loathing and unnecessary shame due to the culture of normal sexual exploration being seen as a sin second to murder. I hated myself for years even though I was a pretty “pure” teenager, and…
I was a young adult during the time in which the internet and online porn were becoming popular. It seemed that every Sunday or General Conference was filled with endless warning of porn. I was probably an “expert” on porn before I had even had a chance to know what it really was. Before I…
When I was 16 I told my mia-maid leader that I had sex and had smoked marijuana. I expected her to keep it private but she told me she would tell my parents if I didn’t talk to the bishop. I went into his office alone to confess and he asked me how I liked…