General Handbook
Interviews and counseling
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Temple recommends and youth interviews exist because ordinances are holy, not because the Church enjoys surveillance. The Church has told bishops not to deviate into explicit interrogation, to include a parent or adult when possible, and to report abuse. If your story is a bishop who protected a predator, that bishop betrayed the handbook and the Lord. If your story is ‘I don’t want anyone asking whether I keep covenants,’ that is a different religion than 1 Corinthians 11.
Self-examination before the sacrament is Pauline. A pastoral interview is that principle with a name and a face.
- Parents can sit in. Use that.
- Worthiness is about repentance, not perfection.
- Abuse reporting is commanded. Silence is not loyalty.