#160 Wade W. CS: 1,3,8. Other: Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
I converted to the LDS Church in Utah when I was 16. I had known since about age 5 that I was attracted to other boys, but it wasn’t until…
Read more
Warning: Sexually Explicit content.
Search our Stories
Legend for Consequences Suffered (CS):
- Inappropriate shame and guilt
- Childhood self-loathing
- Adulthood self-loathing
- Normalizing children to sexual questions by adult men. (Grooming)
- Sexual abuse. (Pedophilia)
- Impaired sexual relations after marriage.
- Years of recovery from childhood shaming. Often lasting decades.
- Suicide Ideation
- Attempted Suicide
- Suicide of a loved one or friend.
#159 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,8,9
My story is short and not nearly as bad as others. I’ve suppressed these memories for a long time now. I don’t remember much detail. Just the shame that came…
#158 Tyler W. CS: 1,2,7,8
I would’ve been 14 when I first found out that viewing pornography and masturbating were “sins.” I told my bishop and he encouraged me to tell my parents so I…
#157 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,8,9
While in high school I struggled with sexuality. I kind of liked girls and occasionally acted on it. I went to my bishop for support thinking that’s what I was…
#156 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,8,9
The bishop I had from age 12 to mission departure was seemingly obsessed with the sexual purity of the youth in our ward. My biannual youth interviews with my bishop…
#155 Name Hidden. CS: 1,6
When I was 12, our bishop was the type that liked to focus on sins and really make sure someone is pure. I was innocent and inexperienced, and I took…
#154 Matthew M. CS: 1,2,3,7,8
I joined the church when I was 12 years old, I had never masturbated or looked at pornography. I was certainly old enough to partake in these activities, I just…
#153 Name Hidden. CS: Other: Not sure what category(ies) this falls into.
My story is not as stark or traumatic as the ones I have read here, but the whole concept of an adult male asking a young teen female these questions…
#151 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,8
I have a son that recently turned eighteen years old. I have a photo of the two of us that was taken ten years ago when I baptized him into…
#150 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,5,7,8
The first time I was asked about masturbation, specifically, by a bishop, I was 12 years old. It was before my first temple trip, in a recommend interview. I understand…
#149 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7
My bishop started asking about masturbation at age 14. The interview I remember most vividly was my 14th birthday interview to advance in the priesthood. I don’t remember much about…
#148 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,6,7,8
I started masturbating at age 13 or so. When I was first masturbating, I don’t think I even knew what I was really doing, let alone the idea that I…
#147 Name Hidden. CS: 1,3,6
I don’t recall inappropriate bishop’s interviews as a youth. I guess I am lucky in that sense. The interviews I did have as an adult and newly wed were a…
#146 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8
Feeling emotional today! Since I was young and went through trauma I had the ability to forget a lot of things, well not forget, but push it far down it…
#145 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10. Other: Loss of confidence in spiritual leadership.
I will never forget when a young inexperienced bishop’s counselor took it upon himself to come into our Deacons Quorum and “warn” us against the horrors of masturbation. This lesson…
#144 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7. Other: Suffered a crisis of faith. Bitterness toward LDS faith. Years of inactivity. Difficulty trusting LDS leaders. Damage to emotional and spiritual well being. Difficulty trusting men.
At different times in my life I have confided in several bishops about various spiritual and emotional concerns. Throughout my youth, and young adulthood, I have never had an interview…
#143 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7
I grew up around the USA in Mormon communities from the west coast, to the south, and then eventually landed in SLC for a bit. The intrusiveness and inappropriate questioning…
#142 Julene CS: Other: Shared grief with those who have suffered as a result of this policy.
Years ago, out of the blue, I got a clear impression that the present practice of clerical interviews on sexual matters, especially of young people, is wrong. I had always…
#141 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,7
As a teenager I was immersed in the gospel. I loved it. I loved the Book of Mormon. I spent much time memorizing passages from it. I was proud of…
#140 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,7
I don’t remember the first time that sexual questions were asked by my bishop, but I remember that just before my 12th birthday I was racked with shame, embarrassment, and…