#493 Amanda M. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

When I was 14 I reported my rape to my bishop. Except since I was 14 I didn’t know it was rape. I wasn’t even really sure what happened. My bishop, a man who I believe was doing his best, was untrained in such matters. I repented. For my rape. My rape went unreported and…

#490 Name Hidden. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Other: Loss of will to live and dying of a terminal illness.

Upon my son’s cancer diagnosis at age 15 he said he did not want to live. He said he was a bad person. He then recounted the many times his bishop and seminary teacher had talked to him about “touching himself” over the previous 3 1/2 years. I was devastated and heart broken to know…

#489 Val C. CS: 1,2,3,6,7

Hi my name is Val. I am 61 years old, been married for 39 years and the father of 5 sons. I am a victim of sexual abuse and the shame that was instilled in me at 17 by my bishop. My abuse started when I was around 5 years of age. I was sexually…

#488 Lori D. CS: 1,2,3,7

I was sixteen when I was called into the Bishop’s office – I didn’t know why. You see, I grew up in a “non-mormon” home with an agnostic dad until my parents got divorced – then my mom married a mormon man who insisted we all become mormon. I never fully realized what all this…

#487 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Other: Eating Disorders

As a child I experienced repeated sexual abuse. I knew that I didn’t like what was happening to me, but I didn’t know exactly what it was and I didn’t want to talk about it with anyone. Due to my experiences I became sexualized in my early childhood and I began to explore this new…

#486 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,6,7,8

Hello, I am a 35 year old man. Gender, Sex, and Sexuality are important. They are as much a part of us as our arms and legs, heart, lungs, brain, and senses. There is a huge focus on the importance of chastity and fidelity in the LDS churches, which also speaks to the importance they…

#485 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9. Other: Gaslighting; feeling like I’m crazy because I’m told my abuse was a sin and not abuse

I was sexually abused as a child and as a teen. At my baptism interview, I remember feeling shame for the abuse, and this continued well into adulthood. After telling my Bishop that I was sexually abused as a teen, I had to go through the repentance process, including not taking the sacrament, while my…

#484 Laurie S. CS: 1,2,3,6,7

I was sexually assaulted by a brother when I was 9 years old. I froze, didn’t know what was happening and was threatened that if I ever told it would break up my family and it would be my fault. As I turned 12, I began having the standard’s night lessons on chastity and morality.…

#483 Name Hidden. CS: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

I was sexually assaulted as a youth. The church teachings of no sexual relations before marriage caused me years of guilt and shame. At the time my good bishop told me it was not my fault, I was still considered a “virgin,” never look back and let it go. I did that as best as…