I remember as a youth being constantly reminded of the dangers of pornography and sexual promiscuity. These concepts were always taught to me in vague and even degrading ways. I came to be afraid of myself, and horrified by my own sexuality. I often went to the bishop’s office because I had seen girls in…
When I was 17, 2009, a few weeks from Graduation & a couple months shy of turning 18, I made the choice to be sexual with my high school boyfriend. We were both very active members, came from large families, participated in school clubs and multiple sports teams, didn’t ever get into trouble, both very…
When I was 16 I went to a mission prep fireside where they stressed the importance of clearing all sins with your bishop so Satan wouldn’t have them to use against you as a missionary. I remember feeling so guilty for the handful of times I had masturbated and I was terrified at the thought…
How does one obtain perfection? I clung to the pamphlet “For the Strength of Youth”. I lived and died to follow the rules laid out before me. But I was weak. I gave in to the temptations of the flesh. It started when I was 12 and I would find myself in and out of…
My first memory of my father abusing me was when I was 3 years old. He molested me in the bathtub. I knew it wasn’t the first time it happened, and it didn’t feel good. He said things to me I’m not quite sure I understood but it was in a rhythmic tone, like a…
* 1960’s-1970’s- (3 to 18 yrs. Old) I was trafficked as a child – sexually abused and tortured by members of Polygamist groups, as well as other perpetrators and pedophiles within the communities of Bluffdale, Riverton, and throughout the Salt Lake Valley. This child trafficking occurred in homes, church buildings, basements, school buildings and other…
I don’t think that I had any bishops that had ill intentions. It never occurred to me that anything that happened could have even been construed as wrong. It was how it was since I had been raised. My bishops were good men, and I feel that they were tactful and understanding. There was only…
I was raised in the church and thought nothing of being called into a room alone with a man. I only realized when I was older that many of the “interviews” I was put through, none of my family members would’ve known where I was. Since the bishop could take me from my classes on…
My wife and I were very TBM several years ago when the bishop, a marriage and family therapist of 20+ years asked him before his baptism interview, with both of us in the room about masturbation and touching himself. A 7 year old! We were both in shock but did not know what to say…
I grew up in a small farming community in Oregon. Fifteen years ago there were (and still are) many LDS members in my home town. I remember being 11 years old and getting ready to leave primary (finally!) I don’t know if this was a stake wide thing or just our ward…but my Bishop held…