Roughly 12-14 years ago a sibling of mine came forward with a terrible story. He gathered the family together and informed us that when he was younger he had been groomed and repeatedly fondled and raped by a former bishop. He approximated that he had been about 10 -12 years old when it hard started.…
Posting this mostly for validation and because part of me wants to scream FUCK YOU to the men who interview anyone about their chastity and worthiness. Today I was triggered in class at UVU, hence what sparked this post. Flashback to 8 years ago I’m preparing to serve a mission. I’d always been a good…
I was born into a dogmatically LDS home, where my father and mother lived to remain worthy according to the rituals and ideals of the church. It was equally important that we as their children did so. The first time I remember being taken in to discuss my sexuality with a bishop was when I…
Approximately 11 years ago I was busy with work and school as well as dealing mentally with the loss of my mom to suicide a few years prior. I let my bishop know that I needed a blessing. I told him I was taking Benadryl to sleep a lot through a depression. The bishop at…
I am sharing my story in hopes that it helps others to know they are not alone in their feelings, in their experiences and in their trauma, but also to raise awareness to the reality of the unhealthy culture and environment of the church for our children. I would love to see change for future…
This story belongs to my mother. In 1970, in Salem, Utah, C.G. was a naive and innocent 11 year old, happy and willing to babysit the children of her Sunday school teacher. She endured multiple episodes of fondling, kissing, and hypersexualized discussion, on her teacher’s living room floor. THEN, the wife of this vile human…
I tend to be verbose, so excuse me if this is long. I was first asked if I masturbated when I was 14, I believe. At the time I’d only heard of it in regards to boys and thought it was only sinful because of “seed being spilled.” (I had that impression because of the…
I had just turned 12 years old. My sister was the Laurel President and absolutely loved the Young Women’s program in our LDS faith. I was so excited to share this with my sister. Just like other youth my age, it was time for me to be interviewed by my Bishop. He was a young…
My uncle started molesting me when I was 6 years old. At my 8 year baptismal interview I “confessed” what my uncle was doing. My bishop told me he would make sure and “handle it”, and stressed the importance of my baptism and how it would “wash me clean again.” It continued for years…. When…
1976 was when I turned 12 years old. That year my bishop had a priesthood interview with me so I could become a deacon. My bishop was a kind man, but asked me if I had troubles with masturbation? I did not understand the word, but figured I needed to say yes. I was that…