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

As a young child, I overheard whispered conversations between my mom and her younger sisters at family reunions. As soon as I or my grandparents drew nearby, the subject would change….Usually to something like “Oh, do you want a popsicle? I think we should get out popsicles for all the kids!” I do remember hearing…

#446 Brian A. CS: 1,2,3,7,8

After reading many of the stories here, I find myself fortunate, and I realize that it could have been so much worse. But the shame that I felt surrounding topics of sexuality were still potent. I was only 11 or 12 when I learned about the church’s stance on masturbation. I learned it in the…

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

There is so much. I can not write it all. I was beaten for masturbating. I was snuck up on if my bedroom door was closed or in the shower to “catch me in the act” so I could be beaten again if caught masturbating. I was raped by a guy I had gone on…

#436 Allen M. CS: 1,2,3,4,7,8,9

I was asked specifically at 13 if I masturbate (had never heard the term before), and if I watched pornography (had heard the word, but didn’t know what it meant. Bishop got to explain them to me… Now because of his explanation, I learned I had been masturbating for 7 years (discovered it on my…

#435 Sadie W. CS: 1,2,3,7,8,9

My story begins at 2 or 3 years old when I was molested multiple times by/with the permission of a woman in her home during “daycare”. My mother, instead of reporting the incident to police, chose to report it to her bishop. I was examined by a doctor and he found that my hymen had…

#434 Name Withheld CS: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

My name is Julie. At the time of this writing I am 34 years old. I was born and raised in Utah within the Mormon church. I come from a multi-generational family with deep roots in Mormonism. Most of my family joined at the very beginnings of the church under Joseph Smith or Brigham Young.…

#433 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,7,8

***Sam, thank you for your hard work, selfless service, dedication to protect our children. I don’t know if this counts but I believe my bishop could have stopped the sexual abuse I endured from a brother and two cousins. My abuse was the span of age 4-10. My baptism interview is where I thought I…

#432 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9. Other: General inability to function constructively in interpersonal relationships

Dear Mr. Young, March 22, 2018 I only recently discovered your work yesterday—your website, and stories of LDS children abused by ecclesiastical interviews. I glanced briefly at the headers for some of the stories on your web site, and knew I had to submit a story. I apologize for the length of the narrative, but…

#431 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,8,9

I am a very active member of the LDS church. I served as a young women’s leader. During the time I served, a couple of the young women I had stewardship over, had messed up but went into Bishop ______ to clear up their mistakes. These beautiful young women went in willingly and sought forgiveness.…

#428 Erin W. CS: 1,2,3,5,7,8

My father physically/sexually abused, neglected, and abandoned his children, with no remorse. When this was brought to the attention of multiple bishops and stake presidents, his vehement denial was all they needed to brush us off. He continued to go to the temple with his recommend and hold callings in his ward… now he is…