The parable of “The good Samaritan” has always been profound to me, the story of a man beaten, robbed, stripped of all dignity, left for dead, only to be ignored by both a priest, and his own indifferent and apathetic tribe. And who of all people would come to his aid and rescue? A Samaritan, a man any other Levite might call the true enemy of Jerusalem, rescuing him and nursing him back to health.

Over the past year I have seen this story played out before my very eyes, reading and hearing the stories of thousands upon thousands who have either been sexually abused, damaged, or otherwise left beaten down, clinging to hope, having been harmed by the church leaders who swore to protect them.

I’ve sat by and watched as apathetic and indifferent LDS leadership hear of and see the survivor stories, only to like the apathetic priest and indifferent Levite, walk by, ignoring the victims and need for change, discounting the evil actions of abuse, discounting the validity of the shame, and ultimately failing to act to protect and nurse the victims back to full health.

Protecting those who can’t protect themselves

There was one amongst the crowd who came to the rescue, one who sacrificed a large fortune, his time, his energy, his heart, and possibly even his very membership to come to the aid and rescue of those who have been harmed and left on the side of the road. A man who protects the innocent, the children, and anyone who might have been robbed or harmed.

Today for me is a difficult day to be labeled as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints as i can ever remember, there has been few times in my life that I would say I’ve felt truly ashamed to be a member, today is one of those, as I hope for once in its history the church chooses to do the right thing.

Anyone who knows their history can attest to the fact that the church doesn't always spring to action to right its wrongs, in fact they often double down on its bad behavior attempting to justify its wrong doings.

Amongst other things, the church has attempted to silence the messengers by doing things like:

In September of 1993 the church taught us that knowledge and intellectualism isn’t welcome, that facts, regardless how true should not be published, and that factual negative information should be suppressed to instead promote a faith promoting story.

In February of 2015 the church taught us that it’s not ok to discuss openly the churches historical issues, its harmful policies, and that telling stories to better establish healthy religious boundaries was not appropriate.

In June of 2014 the church taught that the women's role in the church was to follow, never to lead, that although women practiced the priesthood in the past, they weren’t privileged to that ability in modern days.

In April of 2016 the church taught that it’s not ok to ask questions, specially not publicized ones in letters, regardless of how valid the concern and evidence was, that we shouldn’t talk about it, don’t share it, and of course, we are never to expect honesty and transparency from our organization.

And lastly, in September of 2017 we hope the church will not teach that regardless of how wrong or harmful church policies are, that it’s never ok to question them or promote change, that church policy is more important that the victims it harms, that sexual abuse is ok, and that the church as always does not issue apologies.

THE LION OF THE LORD

Back in the day President Young was referred to as “The Lion of the Lord”, for his boldness, is blunt honesty, and his dedication to the church. Brigham was no Lion, the real Lion of The Lord title belongs to another Mr. Young, a man who has spent a fortune gathering thousands upon thousands of stories of religious sexual abuse, a man who exposed the corrupt policies that are harmful in more ways than its members can ever comprehend, a man who literally fasted for nearly a month as he plead for the brethren to simply sit down and listen to the tragic abuse stories, and discus the mere possibility of changing a policy that has damaged tens of thousands of lives. MR. YOUNG IS THE TRUE LION OF THE LORD. The watchful protector, our dark knight.

In an age where sexual abuse and misconduct has been put under a spotlight, and no organization, person, or even religion can hide its sick practices, our church stands alone, being unwilling and unable to step up and simply state maybe we got it wrong, maybe we could have done better, maybe it’s time to think about making some changes. Recently even the Pope himself has remorsefully admitted “we should have done more, we didn’t do our job to protect the innocent”. And yet how do our leaders respond? Let’s double down! denying its occurrence even more, throwing the victims under the bus, and even attempting to assassinate the character of those who have been abused or openly speak out asking for policy change.

So to our friend Sam, who today faces “the court of love” (better known as the self-righteous, egotistical court of LDS self-preservation in my opinion)

Know that your tens of thousands of friends and family support you and your cause, know that despite their absolute power corrupting know that despite the apathy and indifference displayed by those who supposedly represent God & Christ, know that despite their attempts to belittle, dispute, or invalidate your cause, know that despite their attempt to assassinate your character and behavior

Know that you are loved, that you are respected, that your cause has protected and will save thousands of lives as years go on, that your efforts will effect change in the years to come, that only god can judge, and no man can take away your value or worth. You are a modern-day pioneer, who we’ll be forever grateful for in decades to come, as the shame and abuse culture comes to an end.

“For SAM, I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me”.

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, SAM Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”.

Thank you Mr. Young, for choosing the right, righting the wrongs, and standing your ground. You, not Brigham, are the Lion of the Lord. Thank you for being standing up when nobody else would, for being our modern day good Samaritan.