These are personal accounts of the negative consequences that inappropriate interviews have had on people.

#11 Max C. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9

At 5 years of age, I was caught playing doctor with the neighbor girl. It was pretty innocent, up to that point I had no idea boys and girls were different. But, we got caught and that’s when the shaming began. I remember that night, my mom told me that “God was ashamed of me.”…

#10 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8. Other: Mental illness-scrupulosity, including delusions regarding sexuality

I was harmed by the church’s teachings regarding sexuality, including invasive interviews on sexual topics. I was a very well-behaved child. I didn’t do anything beyond occasional masturbation. I honestly believed I had committed a sin “next to murder.” I spent years sure I was going to hell. I discussed things with bishops that they…

#8 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,6. Other: Continued Parental Embarrassment

I went in to see the bishop for my 14th birthday priesthood interview. He asked me if I was morally clean. I told him no.  Then he asked me specifically if I had any issues with masturbation and I said yes. He asked how long and how frequent and suggested I tell my parents. Being…

#6 Donna H. CS: 1,2,3,6,7,8

I was about 16. I had a blind date with someone who proclaimed to be a returned missionary. He was returned missionary but he was a predator. I was pressured into doing many things. All in a hotel room that I was under the assumption we were picking his friends up there. I felt so…

#4 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Other: Complete Worthlessness

From the age of 3 to 8, I was sexually molested. Due to that, as a young pre-teen and teen, I was especially sensitive to the questions from adult Bishops. It was horrible the details asked, no child should be put through this with an untrained adult, alone, behind closed doors. The helplessness and trapped…

#3 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7

I was a twelve-year-old girl when a bishop I hardly knew asked me if I masturbated. No one had taught me what the word meant, but I sensed that the right answer was “no,” so I told him what he wanted to hear. While I didn’t understand the term, I had been innocently masturbating since…

#2 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9

My interview at 12 where I was asked if I had morality problems, and when I asked what that meant was asked, do you touch yourself when you are naked or let others touch you. Do you watch dirty movies, do you have sexual thoughts? I remember how gross and uncomfortable I felt. Especially considering…