In 2022, an Associated Press (AP) investigation revealed that officials of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints failed to prevent or report the sexual abuse of children by a church member in Arizona over seven years. The report detailed how church leaders were informed of the abuse but did not notify law enforcement, allowing the perpetrator to continue his actions.
The lawsuit filed by the three Adams children accuses The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and several members, including Bishops Herrod and Mauzy, of negligence and conspiring to cover up child sex abuse to avoid “costly lawsuits” and protect the reputation of the church, which relies on proselytizing and tithing to attract new members and raise money.
Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen, AP News, by Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022
https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-investigation-e0e39cf9aa4fbe0d8c1442033b894660
In response, the Church issued statements emphasizing its condemnation of abuse and outlining its internal protocols. The Church highlighted the role of its helpline, which provides guidance to leaders on abuse cases, stating that it is designed to ensure compliance with child abuse reporting laws and to protect victims. They also asserted that the helpline is instrumental in caring for victims, complying with legal requirements, and disciplining perpetrators.
Regarding the Arizona case, the Church clarified that the helpline advised leaders to report the abuse to authorities, but due to confidentiality constraints, they were unable to verify whether such reports were made. They expressed deep sorrow for the victims and reiterated their commitment to preventing abuse.
These events have sparked discussions about the effectiveness of the Church’s protocols in handling abuse allegations and their responsibility in safeguarding vulnerable individuals within their community.
The church claims that in 2011, the perpetrator made only a “limited confession,” suggesting that neither the church nor the bishop was aware of the full scope of the abuse. However, the Associated Press article cites a recorded interview in which the bishop told law enforcement that he asked the man’s wife whether the abuse was ongoing and followed up by asking, “What are we going to do to stop it?” Additionally, court records show an investigator stated the bishop acknowledged the abuse had occurred “numerous times.” The church insists that its legal helpline instructs bishops to “comply with whatever reporting is required by law.” While Arizona law allows clergy to keep confessions of child abuse confidential, it does not require them to do so. In fact, Arizona law protects those who report abuse from being prosecuted or sued. This means the bishop was legally permitted—and protected—if he had chosen to report the abuse. Despite this, the helpline advised him not to report. As a result, the bishop is now being sued for following the church’s counsel and not reporting the abuse.
The church’s helpline, in practice, functions less as a tool for protecting victims and more as a mechanism for shielding the institution. Rather than encouraging bishops to report abuse to law enforcement, the helpline advises a course of action that keeps the matter “in-house,” effectively bypassing legal authorities. This systemic prioritization of institutional protection circumvents law enforcement and is precisely why the Adams children filed a lawsuit against the church. Their claim states that “The Mormon Church implements the Helpline not for the protection and spiritual counseling of sexual abuse victims… but for attorneys to snuff out complaints and protect the Mormon Church from potentially costly lawsuits.” This allegation highlights the disturbing pattern where legal liability and reputation management are prioritized over the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. All while they claim they do not tolerate abuse.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:8
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/15?lang=eng&id=p8#p8
Church Stated Priorities Regarding Abuse
The abuse of a child or any other individual is inexcusable. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes this, teaches this, and dedicates tremendous resources and efforts to prevent, report and address abuse. Our hearts break for these children and all victims of abuse.
The nature and the purpose of the Church’s help line was seriously mischaracterized in a recent Associated Press article. The help line is instrumental in ensuring that all legal requirements for reporting are met. It provides a place for local leaders, who serve voluntarily, to receive direction from experts to determine who should make a report and whether they (local leaders) should play a role in that reporting. When a leader calls the help line, the conversation is about how to stop the abuse, care for the victim and ensure compliance with reporting obligations, even in cases when the law provides clergy-penitent privilege or restricts what can be shared from private ecclesiastical conversations.
LDS Church Newsroom: Official Statment, August 5, 2022. Church Offers Statement on Help Line and Abuse: Church responds to recent Associated Press article about the Church’s abuse help line
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-offers-statement-help-line-abuse
The Church’s abuse help line has everything to do with protecting children and has nothing to do with cover-up.
LDS Church Newsroom: Official Statement, August 17, 2022. Church Provides Further Details about the Arizona Abuse Case: The suggestion that the help line is used to “cover up” abuse is completely false
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
The church claims the helpline has nothing to do with “cover-up,” and while all evidence points to the contrary, let’s concede that the goal of the helpline isn’t to hide abuse and silence victims. We can focus on the statement that claims “the Church’s abuse help line has everything to do with protecting children” and look for proof in light of what else they insist in their reaction.
Church leaders and members are instructed in the Church’s “General Handbook” that their responsibilities related to abuse are as follows:
LDS Church Official Statement, August 17, 2022. Church Provides Further Details about the Arizona Abuse Case, Church outlines its feelings on abuse and how a recent Associated Press story got it wrong
- Assure that child sexual abuse is stopped.
- Help victims receive care, including from professional counselors.
- Comply with whatever reporting is required by law.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
Referring to the handbook, we find the following:
Abuse
Abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of others in a way that causes physical, sexual, emotional, or financial harm. The Church’s position is that abuse cannot be tolerated in any form. Those who abuse their spouses, children, other family members, or anyone else violate the laws of God and man…
When abuse occurs, the first and immediate responsibility of Church leaders is to help those who have been abused and to protect vulnerable persons from future abuse. Leaders should not encourage a person to remain in a home or situation that is abusive or unsafe.
Abuse Help Line
In some countries, the Church has established a confidential abuse help line to assist stake presidents and bishops. These leaders should promptly call the help line about every situation in which a person may have been abused—or is at risk of being abused. They should also call it if they become aware of a member viewing, purchasing, or distributing child pornography.
The help line is available for bishops and stake presidents to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week…
Bishops and stake presidents should call the help line when addressing situations involving any type of abuse. Legal and clinical professionals will answer their questions. These professionals will also give instructions about how to:
- Assist victims and help protect them from further abuse.
- Help protect potential victims.
- Comply with legal requirements for reporting abuse.
The Church is committed to complying with the law in reporting abuse. Laws differ by location, and most Church leaders are not legal experts. Calling the help line is essential for bishops and stake presidents to fulfill their responsibilities to report abuse…
Legal Issues Relating to Abuse
If a member’s abusive activities have violated applicable law, the bishop or stake president should urge the member to report these activities to law enforcement personnel or other appropriate government authorities. The bishop or stake president can obtain information about local reporting requirements through the Church’s help line (see 38.6.2.1). If members have questions about reporting requirements, he encourages them to secure qualified legal advice.
Church leaders and members should fulfill all legal obligations to report abuse to civil authorities. In some locations, leaders and teachers who work with children and youth are considered “mandated reporters” and must report abuse to legal authorities. Similarly, in many locations, any person who learns of abuse is required to report it to legal authorities. Bishops and stake presidents should call the help line for details about mandated reporters and other legal requirements for reporting abuse. The Church’s policy is to obey the law.
LDS General Handbook, Church Policies and Guidelines: 38.6.2: Abuse, 38.6.2.1: Abuse Help Line, 38.6.2.7 Legal Issues Relating to Abuse.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/38-church-policies-and-guidelines?lang=eng&id=title_number92#title_number92
1. Assure Abuse is Stopped
Did the church ensure that the child sexual abuse was stopped? There was ample time to have done so. Look at the record:
The official newsroom statement from the church states:
In late 2011, Paul Adams made a limited confession to his bishop about a single past incident of abuse of one child.
LDS Church Official Statement, August 17, 2022. Church Provides Further Details about the Arizona Abuse Case: What did the Associated Press story get wrong?
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
Q. Did Bishop Herrod know of any actual misconduct between Paul Adams and his children?
A. He did.
Q. Okay. Did he talk to you about it?
A. He did. He explained to me that Paul Adams was taking a sort of counseling session, and Mr. Herrod explained. The counseling session described by him being that the bishop speaks with a member of the church about topics to see if they need any help. During one of these sessions, Paul Adams admitted to Mr. Herrod that he had been sexually assaulting his oldest daughter M-1.
State of Arizona vs Leizza Alcantara Adams – Presentence Hearing and Sentencing, August 13, 2018. Pages 42-44
https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/documents/5/5c/2018-08-13-STATE_OF_ARIZONA_vs_LEIZZA_ALCANTARA_ADAMS-PRESENTENCE_HEARING_AND_SENTENCING.pdf
Compare this again to the statement from Agent Edwards in the presentencing hearing and what Bishop Herrod told him about this limited confession of a single past incident…
A. Once Mr. Herrod heard this, he brought Leizza Adams into the same counseling session, so there were three of them in the counseling session at this point, and then Mr. Herrod had paul turn and explain to Leizza exactly what he had just told him, to which Paul did, he explained his sexual molestation of M-1 to Leizza Adams in that counseling session.
Q. Did Bishop Herrod tell you approximately when this took place?
A. He described it to me it was between 2011, 2012. It was on the tail end of his tenure in Bisbee as a Bishop.
Q. Okay. Did the Bishop, aside from actual sexual molestation or assaulting of M-1, did the Bishop have any further detail about what Paul Adams was doing with M-1?
A. He did. During the counseling session Paul Adams explained to Bishop Herrod that Paul Adams was visually — he was taking video of M-1 *****. He said that he had taken video of this, and he’s done it numerous times.
Q. And that information was conveyed to Leizza Adams?
A. Yes, it was.
State of Arizona vs Leizza Alcantara Adams – Presentence Hearing and Sentencing, August 13, 2018. Pages 42-44
https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/documents/5/5c/2018-08-13-STATE_OF_ARIZONA_vs_LEIZZA_ALCANTARA_ADAMS-PRESENTENCE_HEARING_AND_SENTENCING.pdf
Recall the Newsroom claimed a limited confession about a single past incident. A single past incident of abuse? That is wildly different from the numerous times we hear about in the hearing. Is the church twisting things to gaslight the world, or is their hotline so ineffective that they can’t sort out the simple details?
Q. Did he give Leizza Adams the option of having Paul Adams turn himself in?
A. Yes.
Q. Did Leizza Adams respond as to what she planned to do?
A. Again, she responded that she will just do her best to keep the children away from Paul.
Q. Did Bishop Herrod understand that Leizza Adams was successful thereafter in keeping her kids away from him?
A. He believes that he was not. The counseling sessions continued with Paul Adams, to which Paul continued to explain that he was sexually assaulting his oldest daughter, M-1.
…
Q. Did Bishop Herrod say how long, the amount of time these counseling sessions transpired with Paul Adams where he would bring Leizza in?
…
A. It was over years. He said that when he left the Bisbee ward in 2012 he turned over the situation to the next bishop coming, who I believe is Kim Mauzy, Bishop Kim Mauzy, who started in 2012 and was there through 2017.
Q. Okay. Did Bishop Herrod do anything after he was learning of all the these incidents with M-1 and Paul Adams?
A. Bishop Herrod explained to me that he consulted, as he referred to it — and I mean no disrespect — he called Mormon headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, and asked for legal advice as to what to do. The church conveyed that he needs to continue counseling sessions, and that there’s no duty to report to authorities due to the clergy-penitent privilege.
Q. So Bishop Herrod, in bringing Leizza Adams back into the room each time, did he explain to you what he was hoping to accomplish?
A. He was hoping that Leizza Adams would fix the situation, that Leizza Adams would leave the house with the children, thus not letting them being the victim of sexual assault, continued sexual assault.
State of Arizona vs Leizza Alcantara Adams – Presentence Hearing and Sentencing, August 13, 2018. Pages 42-44
https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/documents/5/5c/2018-08-13-STATE_OF_ARIZONA_vs_LEIZZA_ALCANTARA_ADAMS-PRESENTENCE_HEARING_AND_SENTENCING.pdf
The abuse most definitely did not stop. The church, through its bishop, knew this abuse was ongoing, not a single past incident. Did the Church convey to Bishop Herrod, through the church hotline or in any other way, that he ought to assure that child sexual abuse was stopped? No. Reporting the abuse, as was legally permissible, would almost certainly have assured that it would stop. The hotline conveyed information about the technicalities of the legal permissibility of not reporting the rape, but did not consider what could be done to stop the abuse.
The top priority must always be protecting the child from further abuse, not shielding the church from legal consequences. When a child is being sexually abused, the immediate response should be to contact local law enforcement and ensure the child’s safety. Supporting their healing means providing a secure environment and publicly condemning the abuser. Tragically, far too often, the church prioritizes its own interests over the well-being of victims, which sadly enables abusers and allows further harm to occur. Few things are more reprehensible. Any claim to doctrine based on love is hollow when self-preservation, greed, and complicity in abuse take its place.
Regarding point one, we see through the actions of the church that the hotline does nothing to assure that the child abuse is stopped.
2. Help Victims Receive Professional Care
The only counseling mentioned during the time this abuse was ongoing from court proceedings and AP reporting has to do with Paul and Leizza, the perpetrator and accomplice of the abuse. That care itself was ecclesiastical, not professional. What care did the church or the bishop(s) provide for the victims of these horrendous acts? Did these children receive any counseling? Beyond the perfunctory worthiness interviews with the same Bishop who knew of the years of abuses?
These local ecclesiastical leaders, while in most cases are well-meaning individuals, are by no means paid professionals. The church often boasts that they have no trained clergy, as well as no paid clergy, so local Bishops are categorically excluded from being professional counselors. They are not trained to help victims or to help this situation in any way, a point the church admits when urging and explaining the existence of the hotline.
So unless there is undocumented and undiscussed professional care offered to these victims, the church also fails in this case as to their self-proclaimed purpose or goal of the helpline. While they may have provided legal and ecclesiastical counsel for the perpetrator, they did not help the victims with professional care. Due to the court case, the church would certainly make some statement regarding what they did for the victims in this case. Their silence speaks loudly that they did nothing.
3. Comply With Legal Reporting Requirements
According to the Church’s own list of responsibilities, at number 3 is, “Comply with whatever reporting is required by law.”
William Maledon, an Arizona attorney representing the bishops and the church in a lawsuit filed by three of the Adams’ six children, told the AP last month that the bishops were not required to report the abuse.
“These bishops did nothing wrong. They didn’t violate the law, and therefore they can’t be held liable,” he said. Maledon referred to the suit as “a money grab.”
Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen, AP News, by Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022
https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-investigation-e0e39cf9aa4fbe0d8c1442033b894660
The Church encouraged these Bishops to do nothing beyond their legal requirements and to comply with Arizona’s reporting law, but not to care for the victims. They utilized an exemption to what is otherwise a legal obligation; by claiming priest-penitent privilege, they excuse themselves from being required to report the abuse. The church technically states that “these Bishops did nothing wrong,” but what they mean is that they did nothing illegal.
Priest-Penitent Privilege
Priest-penitent privilege (also called clergy-penitent privilege or confessional privilege) is a legal doctrine that protects certain confidential communications between clergy and individuals seeking spiritual counsel or confession. This privilege is meant to protect the confidentiality of confessions or spiritual counseling, similar to how attorney-client or doctor-patient confidentiality works. It allows clergy (such as priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, or other recognized religious leaders) to refuse to disclose, and often cannot be compelled to disclose, information communicated to them in confidence by a member of their congregation during spiritual counseling or confession. The privilege is based on the First Amendment right to freedom of religion. Though the privilege applies only to confidential communication, it does not always apply in mandatory reporting cases and is not a blanket immunity.
The bishop then called the help line, where he was advised about how to fully comply with Arizona’s reporting laws. In compliance with that counsel, from that time forward, the bishop repeatedly tried to intervene and encourage reporting
LDS Church Official Statement, August 17, 2022. Church Provides Further Details about the Arizona Abuse Case: What did the Associated Press story get wrong?
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
So the church exempts Bishops from reporting abuse, and calls this compliance with the law, which technically it is, but it screams more of “cover-up” than “protecting children.”
Before establishing the help line in 1995, the Mormon church simply instructed bishops to comply with local child sex abuse reporting laws.
At the time, child sex abuse lawsuits were on the rise and juries were awarding victims millions of dollars. The Mormon church is largely self-insured, leaving it especially vulnerable to costly lawsuits.
“There is nothing inconsistent between identifying cases that may pose litigation risks to the church and complying with reporting obligations,” church lawyers said in a sealed legal filing.
But one affidavit in the sealed records which repeatedly says the church condemns child sexual abuse, also suggests the church is more concerned about the spiritual well-being of perpetrators than the physical and emotional well-being of young victims, who also may be members of the faith.
“Disciplinary proceedings are subject to the highest confidentiality possible,” said Rytting. “If members had any concerns that their disciplinary files could be read by a secular judge or attorneys or be presented to a jury as evidence in a public trial, their willingness to confess and repent and for their souls to be saved would be seriously compromised.”
Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen, AP News, by Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022
https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-investigation-e0e39cf9aa4fbe0d8c1442033b894660
While a confession to a Bishop does come with priest-penitent privilege, Arizona law does not prohibit the Bishop to report, and in fact if he does report, he is immune from any prosecution or lawsuits.
The church and its defenders argue church attorneys use the helpline to instruct bishops to “comply with whatever recording is required by law.”
Yes, but: Arizona law allows clergy to keep confessions of child abuse confidential, but does not require it. It also immunizes those who report from prosecution and lawsuits.
Axios, SLC. Judge says Mormon church can’t withhold information in abuse case, Aug 19, 2022
https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/08/19/judge-rules-mormon-church-cannot-withhold-information-abuse-case
The seven years of secrecy in the Adams case began when church attorneys in Salt Lake City advised Bishop John Herrod and later Bishop Robert “Kim” Mauzy they were exempt from reporting requirements under the state’s child abuse reporting law because of the law’s so-called clergy-penitent privilege.
“You absolutely can do nothing,” Herrod said he was told during an interview with federal investigators.
Arizona’s child sex abuse reporting law, and similar laws in more than 20 states, says clergy, physicians, nurses, or anyone caring for a child who “reasonably believes” the child has been abused or neglected has a legal obligation to report the information to police or the state Department of Child Safety. But it also says that clergy who receive information about child neglect or sexual abuse during spiritual confessions “may withhold” that information from authorities if the clergy determine it is “reasonable and necessary” under church doctrine.
4 takeaways from AP’s Mormon church sex abuse investigation, AP News, By Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022
https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-takeaways-f01fba7521ddddffa89622668b54ac10
Hang a Millstone About Their Neck
They are willing to do only what they are required to do by law, rather than do what is right. Are they not told by God to suffer the little children? Are they guilty of a millstone about their neck, or are they in the clear because they didn’t technically break the law but did the absolute minimum in helping a suffering child?
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:16
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/18?lang=eng&id=15-17#p15
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:6
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/18?lang=eng&id=6#p6
This same position, ironically, is reiterated in the official statement from the church. The church statement mentions the dedication to following the teachings of Jesus Christ and quotes the very verses alluded to above. So they do know the scriptures and the messages from Jesus.
We strive to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, who spoke powerfully and repeatedly about the precious value of children and condemned those who would mistreat them.
LDS Church Official Statement, August 17, 2022. Church Provides Further Details about the Arizona Abuse Case
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
Again, are their actions in line with their mentions of Jesus and condemnations of those who mistreat children? Are they walking the walk or simply talking the talk? Are they lying through their teeth? What did the church do to protect these children from years of incestual rape and abuse? They didn’t contribute in any way to stopping the abuse, they didn’t provide care for the victims. The only thing they can point out they did is comply with (their interpretation) of the law. Even this is debatable, for if they did comply with Arizona law, the bishops must have determined, perhaps with the help of the helpline guidance they received, that there are “reasonable and necessary concepts within the religion” that justify not reporting child rape.
A member of the clergy who has received a confidential communication or a confession in that person’s role as a member of the clergy in the course of the discipline enjoined by the church to which the member of the clergy may withhold reporting of the communication or confession if the member of the clergy determines that it is reasonable and necessary within the concepts of the religion. This exemption applies only to the communication or confession and not to personal observations the member of the clergy may otherwise make of the minor.
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13. Criminal Code § 13-3620. Duty to report abuse, physical injury, neglect and denial or deprivation of medical or surgical care or nourishment of minors; medical records; exception; violation; classification; definitions (Updated text to simply state “member of the clergy” rather than “member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitionar or a priest”)
https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-13-criminal-code/az-rev-st-sect-13-3620.html
Tolerating Abuse
The helpline rings the church’s law firm and is answered by lawyers, who are paid by the church. If the church was truly concerned about the welfare of victims, the helpline would advise leadership to immediately contact the police and Child Protective Services, then how to help the victim and family get any services they need. But the helpline shields the church and ensures that minimal reports are made, thus doing as little as possible to actually help the victims.
When it comes to child sexual abuse, the Mormon church says “the first responsibility of the church in abuse cases is to help those who have been abused and protect those who may be vulnerable to future abuse,” according to its 2010 handbook for church leaders. The handbook also says, “Abuse cannot be tolerated in any form.”
But church officials, from the bishops in the Bisbee ward to officials in Salt Lake City, tolerated abuse in the Adams family for years.
Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen, AP News, by Michael Rezendes, August 4, 2022
https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-investigation-e0e39cf9aa4fbe0d8c1442033b894660
The church claims “abuse cannot be tolerated in any form,” but is perfectly fine tolerating it if they can excuse themselves from reporting due to priest-penitent privilege and exclaim they did nothing wrong. They sidestep responsibility, allow the abuse to continue, and enable abusers access to more victims. This is more than tolerating abuse. The words from the church in press releases, court hearings, and even handbooks are hollow when we can see they defend the inaction of Bishops and don’t advise reporting abuse. Remember, the church first discovered this 7-year string of abuse, but it played no part in ending the abuse. It is thanks to the law enforcement authorities who, when notified of a face-match when the abuser’s uploaded video was scanned, immediately arrested him. The abuse stopped without the church’s help, though imagine the abuse that the church could have stopped had it been reported seven years earlier.
Despite the church’s public claims of prioritizing child protection and having “zero tolerance” for abuse, this case reveals a devastating contradiction. For seven years, the LDS Church knew of ongoing abuse and chose institutional protection over intervention. The helpline, rather than empowering leaders to protect victims, appears to have functioned as a legal shield—prioritizing the church’s reputation and finances over the safety and dignity of innocent children.
For many members, this incident—and others like it—becomes a “shelf item” too heavy to ignore. The actions of the church hierarchy are inconsistent with Christlike compassion and contradict the church’s own teachings on love, accountability, and moral courage. Silence only enables further harm. That’s why it’s vital for those who have experienced or witnessed abuse, cover-ups, or institutional neglect to speak out.
Your story matters. By sharing it, you expose harmful patterns, support other survivors, and bring light to a system that too often thrives in darkness. Consider telling your story at wasmormon.org, protectldschildren.org, or floodlit.org. And if you are a victim of abuse, know that you are not alone—please seek legal assistance, mental health support, and trusted allies. Your voice could be the one that helps bring lasting change.
More reading:
- https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-investigation-e0e39cf9aa4fbe0d8c1442033b894660
- https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-sexual-abuse-takeaways-f01fba7521ddddffa89622668b54ac10
- https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/wsiqa8/true_purpose_of_the_help_line/
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-offers-statement-help-line-abuse
- https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/documents/5/5c/2018-08-13-STATE_OF_ARIZONA_vs_LEIZZA_ALCANTARA_ADAMS-PRESENTENCE_HEARING_AND_SENTENCING.pdf
- https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-13-criminal-code/az-rev-st-sect-13-3620.html
- The Mormon Church Abuse Hot Line with Attorney Tim Kosnoff | Ep. 1639
- A Thoughtful Faith Podcast Episode 258: Taking the Mormons to Court: Defending Sexual Abuse Victims against the LDS Church: Tim Kosnoff
- https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2022/08/12/brenton-erickson-gerardo-sumano/
- https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/08/19/judge-rules-mormon-church-cannot-withhold-information-abuse-case
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPCsbV16Qb0&ab_channel=NemotheMormon
- https://news-ca.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/how-the-church-approaches-abuse
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/abuse-how-to-help/preventing-and-responding-to-abuse
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/recordings-show-how-mormon-church-kept-child-sex-abuse-claims-secret
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/duty-to-report-the-mormon-church-has-been-accused-of-using-a-victims-hotline-to-hide-sexual-abuse-claims/
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/safety/abuse-help-line
- https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/08/08/church-rebuttal-mormon-sex-abuse-hotline
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-secrets-of-nzs-mormon-church-revealed-new-podcast-heavens-helpline/JNYLH3H2ZNBCPA7BQGD673T43Q/
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/how-mormons-approach-abuse
- https://www.nwpb.org/2022/09/29/33-states-including-washington-idaho-oregon-exempt-clergy-from-reporting-abuse/
- https://www.deseret.com/2022/8/5/23292405/i-survived-abuse-church-help-line-ap-story-broke-my-heart-latter-day-saints-associated-press-mormon/
- Sam Young Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight