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 the Mormon: Faith on Trial.

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.

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.

David claims in the documentary: "I went from being a very reasonably carefree child to thinking I was one of the worst people on planet Earth.

"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 the Mormon: Faith on Trial 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.

We have approached the LDS Church for comment and a response is due by 9am today.

Nemo the Mormon: Faith on Trial airs on LADbible Stories YouTube at 5.00pm on 30 September.