Given all the questions and criticism, the LDS Church is making its revised guidelines for one-on-one bishop interviews with Mormon youths more transparent — and more formal — by sending them to leaders, parents and young people.
In March, amid a grass-roots outcry about sexually explicit interviews with children and sexual assault allegations leveled at a former LDS mission leader, Mormonism’s governing First Presidency unveiled updated standards for the meetings while emphasizing that most abuse allegations are “true and should be taken seriously.”
On Wednesday, the First Presidency sent a letter and updated pages of its Handbook, outlining policies and procedures, to all general authorities, local lay clergy and youth leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.