I struggled with bishops interviews all growing up. The questions always made me feel uncomfortable, I hated being alone in a room with an adult male that I didn’t know well or trust. I felt so much confusion for not completely understanding what they were asking me. Like others, I had no idea what masturbation…
I was molested by my older brothers for several years. One night my mother sat me down and asked me about it because my parents had caught one of my brothers trying to sneak into my room the night before. I had enough foresight to bar the door knowing he would come in. I felt…
I learned to masturbate as an infant. It was no big deal to me. I only did it while alone. I had sexual ideas and daydreams when I was a child. I started to think these thoughts were bad. My bro brought porn mags into our room. He did not hide them well. I started…
This happened more than 20 years ago. I was 11. My dad left us when we were young. My mom was an alcoholic and a prostitute. My family life was hell. I don’t know the whole story but my mom took the missionary lessons when I was young and got baptized. She went through cycles…
I was told to confess to my bishop that my boyfriend touched my breast. I sat uncomfortably in front of my bishop who is also my neighbor as he asked fault and intrusive questions. My friend told me the bishop would be short and not ask for details but she was so wrong. I didn’t…
As a student at one of the Church’s universities I confessed masturbation to my bishop. I had slipped up a bit over the summer break. Prior to that I had done it around the age of 12 not knowing what it was, but as soon as they taught about it in Young Womens I felt…
Growing up in Utah I was regularly asked about whether I touched myself (even how I did it, and where) by my bishop and the counselors. I think I was asked about it starting around 8 years old, and all through my teens and into my twenties (I’m early 30’s now). I’m sure I was…
I am only sharing this anonymously because there are other innocent parties involved from whom I have not received permission to share this story publicly. I wish I could. I find power in telling my story and I wish I could put my name on this. Maybe someday. When I was around 9 or 10…
When thinking about my baptism, I remember a few things about that day, but there is one huge thing I think about that day. Guilt. Down right guilt. That’s all I thought about that entire experience. I was supposed to be washed of my sins and be perfect. But I wasn’t perfect, nor would I…
Story #2. I was in 8th grade (13) when I had my first ecclesiastical interview. My uncle & his family had come from Seattle to do temple work, & he decided I was old enough to do baptisms with my cousins. I don’t remember being asked. My mom set up temple recommend interviews. I felt…