Former Mormon describes explicit interviews children endured to prove their 'worthiness' to religion
Warning: This article contains explicit discussions which some readers may find distressing.
A former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as the Mormon Church, has described how a 'worthiness interview' he was sent to do as a child left him feeling like 'one of the worst people on planet Earth'.
Fellow former Mormon David Sheppard spoke to LADbible for our new full-length documentary Nemo vs the Mormon Church: The Cost of Speaking Out.
Worthiness interviews are private conversations between Mormons and leaders in the church, such as bishops, to evaluate whether a member is doing as they're told and ready to advance.
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The interviews can be conducted for baptism preparations, receiving the priesthood, advancing in youth groups, serving missions and obtaining a Temple Recommend; children as young as 12 can do them.
During the conversation, a member may be asked questions about their faith, compliance with the church's teachings, payment of tithing and whether they are keeping to the laws of chastity.
"Words and language around masturbation and, ‘Do you look at pornography?’ - things like that would start to come up, and that’s when it became less comfortable.
"You might have a bishop that asks you barely anything on top of that, and you might have someone that’s just like, ‘So what happened? Where did you touch them? Where did they touch you?’"
David said he believed it was 'unsafe for everyone' and carried a 'real risk' to all involved for bishops to have interviews with children where he alleges they were asked about sexual details.
The British branch of the church has introduced DBS checks for those members who will be working with children.
David's contribution to Nemo vs the Mormon Church: The Cost of Speaking Out accompanies the story of Nemo, a former member of the Church who was excommunicated after he appeared on an episode of Honesty Box for LADbible.
Nemo, who had gained an online following for discussing the issues the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was summoned to a meeting and accused of apostasy after he spoke to LADbible and the BBC.
His episode of Honesty Box was broadcast in August 2024 and he was later interviewed by the BBC, and says four days after that interview he received a letter accusing him of 'clear and deliberate public opposition' to the church, and that his actions would 'weaken the faith and activity' of it.
Summoned to a meeting in September 2024, it wasn't until 90 minutes in that he learned he was on trial for apostasy, he claims.
He was later informed that the verdict was excommunication, with the Mormon church insisting their decision was not because of the concerns he raised about their leadership.
Instead, they accused him of persuading others to oppose the church and its leaders, something Nemo denies.
He said excommunication would mean he 'wouldn’t be with my wife in heaven' and 'would be separated from my family for eternity'.
Nonetheless, Nemo said he believes his campaigning about the need for safeguarding in the church helped contribute to the movement that led to the UK branch introducing DBS checks, adding it was among the things he was 'proudest' of.
Speaking after he was put on trial for apostasy, Nemo said he had been 'put on trial for speaking truth to power, for trying to call corrupt leaders to account and seeking clarity on important issues'.
"Robust, honest criticism of our own institutions is not only healthy, but necessary to ensure the survival of our church," he said.
"The community of the Mormon church has raised me, nurtured me and instilled in me the integrity that causes me to stand up now in the face of immoral behaviour by its leaders."
Nemo said that speaking to LADbible and the BBC may have been the 'final straw', and that his excommunication means he's been 'given an opportunity to examine who I am without the church'.
"I like what I found," he said.
In a statement to LADbible group following the release of the doc, The LDS Church said: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is aware of a recent production featuring a former Church member in the UK and his concerns about the withdrawal of his membership. We understand the right of individuals to criticise our faith; however, we strongly disagree with the way important facts and circumstances were misrepresented in this production.
"Church leaders spent considerable time with him over many months, expressing love and care, discussing his concerns and encouraging him in his faith.
"However, it became clear that he had established a sustained and public pattern of attacking the Church, its teachings and its leaders through false or misleading claims. In such circumstances, leaders determined his continued membership was no longer appropriate. Contrary to claims, he was informed of the nature of the membership council and given an opportunity to participate.
"The production also raises serious allegations relating to abuse and safeguarding. Abuse of any kind is inexcusable and contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Church leaders in the UK who work with children and young people are DBS-checked and receive regular safeguarding training, and when pastoral interviews take place with young people they may choose to have a parent or another adult present."
Nemo vs the Mormon Church: The Cost of Speaking Out is available to watch on LADbible Stories YouTube now
Joe Harker