I was 14 when I started dating a never-mo boy I was sweet on, and I suffered shaming for that. How could I betray God and my heavenly family for some boy that didn’t even believe in God? As the relationship progressed my mother found out about the sexual questions I was asking my more…
When I was being interviewed to enter young women’s at the age of 12, I was brought into a room with the lights turned off to speak with a member of the bishopric. He asked me the usual questions, things about tithing, reading scriptures, etc. I was so nervous that I would answer the questions…
When I was fifteen years old, I began dealing with what the Mormon church calls “same sex attraction”. I began to question whether or not I would be happy marrying a returned missionary husband, staying home and having a bunch of babies. I had talked to my Young Women’s leader about these feelings I was…
I grew up in the 1970s and ‘80s. I loved the church and never thought I would leave, but now I’m a middle-aged apostate who believes that one immense contributing factor to a loss of testimony is the church’s obsessive, abusive relationship to sexuality and shaming members. As a young woman (teen) I was interviewed…
When I was 17 I confessed to French kissing. The bishop told me how disappointed he was in me. How everyone looks up to me and I’ve let down God, him, my family, the young women. I cried and cried and then went home and cried more. A year later I’m 18 and at byu.…
At 5 years of age, I was caught playing doctor with the neighbor girl. It was pretty innocent, up to that point I had no idea boys and girls were different. But, we got caught and that’s when the shaming began. I remember that night, my mom told me that “God was ashamed of me.”…
I was harmed by the church’s teachings regarding sexuality, including invasive interviews on sexual topics. I was a very well-behaved child. I didn’t do anything beyond occasional masturbation. I honestly believed I had committed a sin “next to murder.” I spent years sure I was going to hell. I discussed things with bishops that they…
I was sexually abused, starting at age 6. The day before my interview for baptism, my abuser told me that if I told the bishop, I would not be a part of my family for the eternities and would also not be able to be baptized. My baptism was a horrible experience for me, as…
I went in to see the bishop for my 14th birthday priesthood interview. He asked me if I was morally clean. I told him no. Then he asked me specifically if I had any issues with masturbation and I said yes. He asked how long and how frequent and suggested I tell my parents. Being…
From the age of 4 to 12, my older brother sexually abused me. When I was 15, and my brother was on a mission (so I felt safe to tell someone) I told my bishop about the abuse. He treated it completely inappropriately, asking me questions related to my worthiness; treating me as if I…