Today, I sat down with my accountant to review the company’s tax filing for 2017. Her name is Mill. She is a partner at a large regional accounting firm. Twenty five years ago, my taxes got too complicated for me to handle. After many semi-annual meetings, we have become good friends.

The review began with the usual small talk. Soon she recognized that I seemed distracted and in a hurry. She asked why. The following conversation was launched.

ME: I know your son is grown now. But, suppose this happened to your son when he was 12. Your pastor called him in for a one-on-one meeting . . . .

MILL: (She quickly cut me off with a firm karate chop to the conference table.) NO! That’s wrong. It makes me feel sick. With the Larry Nassar scandal and the Penn State stuff and all the sexual abuse that’s coming out, it makes me ill to think of my son alone with anyone.

ME: I’m not done. Suppose that the pastor then asks your son if he masturbates . . . .

MILL: That’s disgusting. It’s none of the pastor’s business. It’s personal and should only be a family matter. I never talked to my son about masturbation. The only thing I told him was that if he got a girl pregnant, I would require him to drop out of school, get a job and pay for the baby. I don’t believe in abortion.

Our discussion continued about the petition, the stories, the damage done, the news coverage, possible excommunication, and the threats to my family, business and to myself. We talked about the types of harm these interviews cause. I didn’t have to recount them all. She was fully capable of explaining to me what the dangers were. We also discussed the toll this is taking on my time and resources.

MILL: Sam, I hope you know that you’re doing the right thing.

SAM: I do. Yes, I absolutely do.

Dear Fellow Mormons

Everyone outside the church is sickened, disgusted or repulsed by our interview process. Somehow, what is abhorrent to our neighbors has become normalized to most latter-day saints.

You have to know that what we are doing is wrong–way wrong!!!

I’m confident…

That the good members of my church are capable of being smarter than our own policies.

That when good parents sincerely consider the ramifications of sending their children behind closed doors to talk about sex, that they will start to be sickened by the possibilities.

That Mormons will start to protect their children the same way our neighbors already are protecting theirs.

Many active members have already raised their voices loudly to call for changes. Join us. Don’t sit on the sidelines while our children are at risk.

Join Our Historic March-For-The-Children

If you are in Utah, within driving distance, or even flying distance, come help us assure that the children of the future don’t repeat the dreadful experiences of children in our past.

On Friday, March 30, 2018 we will gather at the Salt Lake City/County Building. Then march 5 blocks to the LDS Church Office Building. Upon arrival, we will present 2 items to church officials:

The signatories on the Petition to Protect The Children. Sacred Stories of Sacred Children. A record of childhoods destroyed behind closed doors.

Register here so we can get an accurate count ahead of time. Our goal is 1,000 marchers.

How can you help protect our children:

Share the march info everywhere.

Bring your friends & family.

Encourage friends & family in Utah and surrounding states to join us.

We are making Mormon history. Come make it with us. It will be a once in a lifetime event.

Local Rallies

Many friends of Protect-The-Children who want to come to the march are constrained by time, distance, or money.

Good News!!! We are organizing local rallies in offsite locations to coincide with the Utah march. Same date, same time…different place. Imagine 20 people in Seattle, 30 in Dallas, 25 in St. Louis and so on and so on and so on!

Every place we have a gathering, local media will be invited to cover. We are expecting the national media to be at the SLC event. The local rallies will illustrate in a big way that our cause is a country-wide movement and deserves national attention.

This will be a big step in bringing awareness to good Mormon parents and bishops everywhere. So far, our efforts have reached some. The march will extend our reach many times over.

If you are interested in participating in a local rally, please register here. A volunteer coordinator will reach out to you soon.

Come help us save our children!!! Whether it be at Church Headquarters or at local venues all across the country, your efforts will protect generations of children to come.

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