#648 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10. Other: Mental Illness

It has taken a lot of thought and courage for me to even begin to share my experience. I have only ever shared the consequences I have suffered as a result of the church, but not the worthiness interviews themselves. Though I believe many people who are LDS are good people, my dad wasn’t one…

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

I was raped by a stake president’s son when I was 14 (in 1994). The bishop did not let my mother come into the interview she arranged (which she did because she thought I slept with someone — not bothering to know the details of my rape). Instead of suggesting I press charges or get…

#645 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

I was born/ raised in the church, and growing up I took my religion very seriously. I was attending a Young Single Adult Ward, and I’d been carrying around tremendous guilt for years. As a kid, I was repeatedly molested by my older brother. My memory on when it first started and ended is hazy,…

#644 CS: Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8

Self loathing is a good basis here. Starting adult life with the mindset that hating yourself is healthy and righteous messed me up. I’ve since learned that I am worth loving and that meeting with the old dude that gives me tremendous anxiety to talk about masturbating isn’t necessary to my happiness. I don’t need…

#642 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Hi Sam! I saw your Facebook feed months ago, and it intrigued me. As I was reading about your cause, my heart was so saddened, not only for the victims I read about, but it then dawned on me, my own children have been subjected to these interviews. I am an active member of our…

#639 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8. Other: Attempted Self Mutilation

From when I was twelve onward, I was asked by my bishop in semi annual interviews sexual questions. He asked me, from when I was 12, if I engaged in petting or necking. I had to ask for clarification about what that meant. He asked me if I watched pornography. I had to ask for…

#638 Name Hidden. CS: 1,3,6,8

I first joined the church at 19, at this time I was suffering from depression and anxiety and even though I hadn’t had all of the missionary lessons – due to my mother not wanting the missionaries in the house – after repeated requests and pressure from the missionaries I agreed to be baptised. I…

#634 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8,9

My daughter has been participating in intensive treatment and therapy for PTSD following years of childhood trauma, resulting from living in the battlefield that was our home. She witnessed abuse, and was subjected to the resulting years of the craziness of religious abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and a mom who was barely hanging on…

#633 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8,9

When I was in 5th or 6th grade, I had accidentally stumbled upon porn on the internet. I didn’t know what it was. I knew it was bad for me to be looking at though. It made me uncomfortable and I tried to forget about it. Fast forward to a week or so later, my…