Growing up as a youth, I was never asked inappropriate questions. During my first few weeks st BYU I was interviewed by my bishop. It was just the customary “get to know you”interview. I can’t remember if he asked if I lived the law of chastity because I was so stung by the other questions.…
When I was 8 years old, the Sunday School teacher told the class that the bishop was the best friend we had. We could take our problems to him, and he’d always listen, and help. I took myself to visit him as soon as class dismissed. I told him what daddy had been doing to…
My father sexually abused me when I was 9 years old. It was not complete penetration, but unwanted touching and fondling and he made me touch him. The abuse began occurring while my mother was out with relief society meetings and visting teaching or shopping. It went on for about a year and was beginning…
Growing up, I believed ANY and ALL questions asked by members of the bishopric helped them decide my level of worthiness and understand the nature of my sins. I never thought to ask my parents to sit in each interview with me; it just wasn’t ever done or encouraged. I saw that my parents trusted,…
My story has layers of complexity, but I’ll do my best to share it. I’ll start out with the simple facts of being asked about masturbation as a teen some 34 years ago when I was 14. My mom died when I was 11 and I was the oldest of 6. So exact obedience was…
I felt impressed to tell my own story although I was a couple years older than a legal minor. I grew up in the Church. I was blessed to have wonderful leaders that watched out for me. I met my wonderful husband through the church and will always be grateful for it; however, I cannot…
The worthiness interviews containing questions of a sexual nature drove me to avoid relationships with the opposite sex out of fear of sinning for my entire young adult life. I could have dated as a teenager. I didn’t. I was asked to prom. I didn’t go. I could have had normal healthy relationships, but I…
When I turned eight years old, my parents took me to the bishop’s office to have my baptism interview. Before I went into the room, I asked my parents if they would go with me. They assured me there was nothing to worry about, the bishop was a priesthood holder and could be trusted. Then…
My 12 year old daughter went into the bishops office for her 12-year-old interview. I joined her. After the friendly and brief interview we asked if she could go ahead and get her temple recommend while we were there. He said yes and proceeded with the questions. When He asked her if she followed the…
My Mormon story: growing up in Utah you had to be Mormon to be able to play with your friends. So i had been baptized around 4th grade. I took the lessons on my own, would go to church and sit by myself. I would fast alone as a young child because my dad and…