Read The Stories

Warning: Sexually Explicit content.

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.

#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…

#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…

Search our Stories

Legend for Consequences Suffered (CS):

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: