My husband Jon was very well liked by his bishop. He was often called on to give speeches during church. From the outside it appeared my husband had found favour in the eye of his LDS bishop. What people didn’t know is this behavior is a very common grooming process of predators. My husband suppressed…
Sam, there was a discussion on the RFM board the other day about whether sexual abuse always leaves you broken. I felt compelled to finally tell my story but did it anonymously. And even though I know it was easy to tell that I was writing my own story, I had to tell it in…
I remember vividly when I was asked by my bishop if I was masturbating. I was a 12 year old girl and he a man in his 40s. I remember just feeling so embarrassed and uncomfortable I couldn’t even look at him. It felt like there was so much emphasis on being pure when I…
I grew up as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints in the UK. I remember the Bishop’s interviews very intrusive and embarrassing and also I felt violated looking back now as an adult. I grew up in a ward that there were many leaders men who were very egotistical and…
I never was asked explicit sexual questions in bishop’s interviews, but I feel such pain and anguish with every story shared here, and with the experiences of my loved ones. The constant barrage of chastity lessons in Mutual taught me that sexual feelings were evil, that we needed to be pure in thought at all…
I received heavy doses of shaming at the hands of leaders. I was made to feel ashamed of my body, and my natural urges. I got asked numerous times behind closed doors with leaders if I masturbated. I usually lied. Before my mission, a leader at the MTC wanted to hear all the details of…
When I was 12 I had my first temple worthiness interview. The bishop asked me if I followed the law of chastity. He said, do you know what that is? I told him no. he said, “it means have you touched yourself or let other people touch you?” I could tell the correct answer to…
I can’t remember certain aspects of my early childhood. This is important, because my biological father allegedly molested or abused my sister and I. We were only 2 or 3 years of age. Whatever was going on then made my mother bolt, almost literally. I have family members who share quite a bit more with…
I felt like my mind and my body were never my own. I was property of the church. My mind, body, identity, worthiness, and authority were taken from me through coercion, threats, extreme social pressure, and ritualistic abuse. It’s been so damaging to me. I’m still trying to piece myself back together. It’s heartbreaking to…
I feel hurt and betrayed. I gave my heart and soul to this church and the lack of boundaries and policies and teachings around immorality/chastity/modesty/worthiness interviews of this institution have caused me so much psychological, emotional, and mental pain and suffering. There were no boundaries. It was confusing. It was scary. It was horrible. It…