Today, I had lunch with an old friend. We feel quite a kinship for one another. He’s a very faithful member of the Mormon Church. However, he agrees with me that sexual questions should not be asked to kids. Here’s a snippet of our conversation.

LDS Friend (LDSF): We are working with a family in my ward who are considering joining the church.

SAM: Okay.

LDSF: Do you think I should tell them about the youth interviews?

ME: For me, my integrity would demand that I tell the parents about the dangers their children will face. How would I feel when they confronted me after their children were interrogated behind closed doors? I would feel complicit. The only honorable thing to do would be to give them a heads up so they could make an informed decision about the safety of their children.

LDSF: If I told them, I don’t think they would join the church. Well, maybe if their testimony of the restoration was stronger than their concern for their kids.

ME: Everybody outside the Church is repulsed by this practice. They recoil when you explain that twice a year children are taken all alone behind closed doors by the bishop. People are shocked and incredulous to find out that the bishop will then ask the kids about their sex lives. I would tell anyone considering joining the Church that they should wait until the Church changes it’s policies. Too many children have been horribly harmed.

LDSF: Do you think that missionaries should tell their investigators?

ME: Absolutely. They shouldn’t be hiding something this important.

LDSF: We might as well just bring all the missionaries home. Do you think the church should do that?

ME: Doesn’t that say it all? You are afraid to tell the family that is considering baptism, otherwise they’ll change their minds. You fear that if the 70,000 full time missionaries were to be forthright about worthiness interviews, they might as well all be brought home. If the Church has to hide how they treat children, it should be a clear sign that it’s a very bad practice.

After 2 hours of cordial discussion, we hugged and parted as good of friends as we’ve ever been.

So, what to do you think? Should Mormon missionaries inform potential converts about the Church’s current interview policies?

Climb a Mountain, Save a Child

We have big plans this year to continue to press for change. And not just in the Mormon Church. Nevertheless, the LDS Church will still be central to our cause. They are the poster child of unsafe practices.

I have previously announced our plans in various places. HERE’s one. More detailed explanations will be published soon.

What Can You Do

Climb a mountain, peak or driveway. Unfurl a banner or poster. Take a picture & share. Share this opportunity with friends and family. This is no longer just a Mormon adventure to protect Mormon children. Invite your friends of all religious persuasions. In SLC on Oct 5, 2019, another march and rally will be held. Make plans to come and wave your banner high. If you can’t come to the march, that’s ok. We’ll carry a banner in your honor of the mountain you climbed.

This is a high and noble cause. We are saving children, both in and out of the Mormon Church.

Last year, a THOUSAND people marched in the streets of Salt Lake City with bold and colorful signs. It was magical.

Now imagine this fall: FIVE THOUSAND men, women and children bearing banners from mountain tops around the world proclaiming a message of safety and healing. That’s our goal–5,000!!!

BE A PART OF IT.

Preparations

PLDSC has a ton of preparation to do. Two things that will happen soon to support you.

A registry will be published where you can record in advance what mountain, hill or driveway you plan to climb. Banners have been ordered and will be available for purchase soon. Of course, home made flags are wonderful. That’s the route we went for our first mountain climb.

This will be an amazing adventure of a lifetime for all of us.