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…
My heart just breaks. I was subjected to these interviews as a youth. I had endured many years of sexual abuse as a child beginning at the age of 4. The perpetrator was not a member of the LDS church, but was my mother’s step-brother. My victimizer threatened me that he would hurt me and…
When I turned 14, I was like any normal child. We had moved to a new town, and I was finding my footing. I went to a youth dance for LDS children and I met some friends. I asked my mom if I could stay over at my new friends house, and she said that…
40 years ago or more, I was interviewed on several occasions by my stake president. He was a big tall man and a man of influence. He eventually became a regional representative. I am torn between writing this and not. I was a young teenager when my bishop started asking me if I touched myself.…
Something that I realized I needed to share was the generational effect of abuse victims. My father was raised in incestuous Mormon family. His father, the predator was at one point, a bishop, a school teacher, a temple worker. After decades of terrorizing his family and uncounted children not related, he was finally excommunicated after…
My childhood was very painful. This was not necessary the fault of the Mormon church, but rather my biological father was/is pedophile and abused me sexually, multiple times. Which lead to my brother’s sexually abusing me as well. He also physically abused my brothers and this went on for about 12 years. Never was I…
I was born and raised in the LDS church in Las Vegas, NV. I began worthiness interviews with my bishop at the age of 12 as it was expected of all children at that age. I remember my bishop as a kind and approachable man whom everyone looked up to and trusted. However, he did…
I didn’t find out that masturbation was a sin until my bishop had a fireside for the youth. After that I felt extreme guilt because I couldn’t stop. I honestly thought I was the only girl who did this, I was so ashamed. A few years later after admitting it to close guy friends in…