Sam, First of all, I just want to tell you how moved I am by what you are doing. I can’t remember when I first stumbled across your cause but I know it was around the time that Harvey hit Houston because I remember thinking about you when I saw the news. I’d like to…
In 2009 my best friend took his life. He was an AP on his mission, always made an effort to be his best, and still felt he was a failure. He had an incredible heart and was an amazing friend. He was a law abiding citizen, but felt so much guilt from falling short of…
When my brother Keith was in high school he had an interview with our local bishop, who was a cruel, condescending and judgmental person. Keith confessed to some sexual activity with a girl and the bishop shamed him, put him down and left him completely devastated. That night my father came home and Keith had…
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…
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…
I remember hitting myself at night when I came home from church in my early teens as I just couldn’t stay away from masturbation. I stopped for a year while living with my father. I then felt so guilty after a babysitting porn book relapse, that I told my father, who immediately had me into…
My husband is a retired police officer. There have been many times when he was investigating child abuse cases where bishops and other church leaders would not cooperate with the investigations. They stated this was a matter being handled within the church. They would not give any information. They were protecting the perpetrator, and the…
There’s nothing quite like trying to be the best child of God you can be – praying fervently, loving scripture study, always lending a hand to fellow brothers and sisters in need – and being told behind a closed door with your bishop that masturbation will damn you and keep you separated from God. Nothing…
I grew up as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints in the UK. I remember the Bishop’s interviews very intrusive and embarrassing and also I felt violated looking back now as an adult. I grew up in a ward that there were many leaders men who were very egotistical and…
I am a Therapist-Survivor of ritualistic abuse and mind control, that involved at least two of my bishops as perpetrators, and two of my stake presidents. The document below is a document I wrote with the help and edits of a psychologist friend who has advocated and supported survivors for almost 4 decades. While my…