EP 595 – Preventing and Addressing Abuse within the Church

This Week in Mormons

Jennifer Roach One would have had to be quite isolated last week not to read AP's story about a father and member of the Church sexually abusing his daughters, and Church officials' reported failure to act appropriately and help the victims despite knowledge of the incidents. There is a ton of information to work through on this story, with some saying AP isn't being fair, and others wondering if the Church is more concerned about its image and protecting the institution than helping victims. We're joined this week by Jennifer Roach, MDic, LMHC. She has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for three-and-a-half years. Previously, she was an ordained pastor in another denomination. Jennifer is a survivor of abuse and works as a licensed mental health therapist. We're thankful she's here to provide insights on a difficult topic. It's clear the Church failed to protect victims in this case. The safeguards in place didn't do their job. But that doesn't mean the Church has nefarious intent. Please sit with us as we work through this issue. Other news follows after about 45 minutes. Some corrections: In our discussion, we had noted that the information at the time made it unclear whether either bishop was explicitly told not to report anything. Since the time of recording, the AP released a video of Bishop Herrod, in his own voice, saying that the helpline told him he was not allowed to call; his hands were tied. He later says that he passed that same information along to the next bishop. It's also important to note that an Arizona grand jury took up the question of bishop culpability last year in case GJ21-0072 and did not charge either bishop with a crime. https://youtu.be/Ool6oN9P-hY Abuse in the Church Links Church's official response Michael Austin's "better" Church response A concise summary of events National Domestic Violence hotline RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline Other Latter-day Saint News The Church finally announces who will dedicate the Washington DC Temple - President Nelson! President Nelson is the oldest apostle in the history of the restored Church The Amos C. Brown Fellowship, which connects Black students to their ancestry in Ghana, begins Association of Mormon Letters announces 100 significant works in Mormon literature 31 terms no longer used by the Church. Continue using them at your peril! Gospel Library app gets some much-needed search updates BYU Pathway extends tuition discount Is Glenn Beck performing non-LDS baptisms? Transcript 00:00.00 Geoff Openshaw Hey, everybody? How's it going happy August to you welcome to another edition of This Week in Mormons the premieer Latter-day Saint News Podcast because we've been doing it for a very very very very long time literally longer than my marriage which is bizarre anyway, though I am your ah host and founder Jeff Hopemansot's nice to be with all of you this week. We've got a lot to talk about lots to go. What's going on for sure. So I'd like to welcome my co-hosts guests this week. That's why plural we are a trio this time around which is always a lot of fun Liz Buzzfeed you're back in the house how you doing Liz what's going on up in Highland Utah everything just. 00:28.39 Liz Busby Doing great ah just winding down the summer it's It's been a crazy like vacation every three days or whatever or kids are in camps and running like crazy and school starts next week. So. 00:43.38 Geoff Openshaw You know life in the a to one is just like 1 big sunset. You know it's just a dream that's great I'm glad you're all. We're also happy to welcome this week new to the show. Ah, Jennifer Roach who lives in Washington State and has been a member of the church for about none years and before she joined the church. She was ordained at another christian denomination but she's here this week in particular because she also works as a licensed mental health therapist a...