When learning about this campaign and the way that so many people have been treated, I can’t help but think how lucky I am. I didn’t grow up in Utah, I grew up smack dab in the middle of Illinois, and there really wasn’t many other Mormons where I grew up. I also think how…
Nearly twenty years ago, a bishop that had been an explorer adviser in a ward I grew up in, had told my parents that I was not good enough and had been giving me and them positive motivation books that he thought I needed to have. This man had always “put me down” in front…
I was born in 1950’s, growing up in Salt Lake Valley. In 1964 at the age of 13, the Bishop came to our Deacon’s Quorum meeting as a “Special Guest Teacher”. He gave a lecture about Masturbation. Several of the Boys, one in particular, spoke up and said what is that? I don’t know what…
When I was about 16 years old, I remember my bishop called our class of 20+ people to get there temple recommends. We had to all line up in the hallway and he called us one by one to get them renewed. I knew I wasn’t worthy of one and it would be awkward to…
I had a rough childhood. I was molested at age 5 by a stranger and grew up in an emotionally and physically abusive home. As a teenager I rebelled and sought freedom and love from outside sources. As a result, I ended up making bad choices. One night I snuck out with a group of…
When I was 12 or 13 we had a youth caroling activity where the young men and young women rode on a trailer on hay bells with blankets to keep us warm and we would go around our stakes boundaries and sing Christmas carols to the neighbors. One of the young men who was a…
I’ll start from my earliest memories. I do not share this to brag. I do not share this to cause pain or hurt (although I’m sure it will do both). I share this to show the other side. To show that the LDS church does cover up these types of things. I feel my bishops…
I thought for a long time that I was alone in feeling that the interviews were damaging and shaming. This is the story of how my experience with Bishop interviews led to me leaving the LDS church and cutting all ties with my blood family. A bit of context. I am a female. Being raised…
When I was in high school, I was raped by someone I trusted. At the time, I couldn’t comprehend what happened to me. I felt dirty and guilty for being involved with sexual activity, even though it was not my choice. I went and talked to my bishop and explained that this young man had…
When I was about 13-14 there was a lot of abuse in my home mainly from my parents to me. Now I know more information of classic abuse situations, I had one written by the very definition. I was told that we don’t talk about our family situations outside of our home to anyone. I…