SALT LAKE CITY (UT)
The Salt Lake Tribune
December 18, 2017
In light of the recent social media #MeToo campaign, which has brought to light the deplorable pervasiveness of sexual harassment and abuse, some are questioning common practices that may cross similar, inappropriate lines.
It turns out, it is not appropriate for adolescent and teen youth to sit in a room with a male ecclesiastical leader with the door closed and be expected to answer questions about sexual history, inclinations or desires.
Salt Lake Tribune reporter Peggy Fletcher Stack recently reported on the questionable nature of the prominent practice of the “bishop interview” within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reporters delved into the subject on the Tribune’s popular podcast, “Mormon Land,” along with Salt Lake City therapist Julie de Azevedo Hanks and a former LDS Bishop Richard Ostler.
The consensus is that the practice of Mormon bishops “interviewing” adolescents about their sexual history as part of the repentance process is both unnecessary and fraught with danger. It places adolescents in uncomfortable situations where they feel obligated to talk about sensitive issues with non-family members. It also sets men up for misunderstandings and even possible temptation. Heaven forbid the church embolden such awful acts like child abuse, as happened with Erik Hughes, who was recently sentenced for sexually abusing two boys during his time as a LDS bishop.
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