Sam Young, Mormon Bishop Excommunicated After Protesting Sexual Shaming By LDS Church

Sam Young, a bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Houston, Texas, was excommunicated as per an order from the church leaders after he protested against sexually explicit language used by some bishops while communicating with underage churchgoers during confession sessions.

Young lent support to teenagers who struggle with the sexually explicit questions asked by bishops or priests during private meetings. He even established a website called Protect LDS Children in 2017, where many stories of the church’s secret harassment were shared.

“I found out that my daughter was regularly subjected to sexually explicit questions from age 12 to 17. This happened behind closed doors, all alone with the bishop of my congregation. I wish I could go back in time and protect my innocent 12 year old child. Of course I can’t. What I can do is to stand up and speak out for the protection of today’s children,” Young stated on the website, explaining his motive behind setting it up.

According to the website, Young is the father of six children and also the owner of Liberty Office Products. Apart from being a bishop, he has also worked as bishopric counselor, ward mission leader, ward young men president, stake young men president, stake public affairs director, stake activities director, high councilor, high priest group leader, among other positions in the church.

Standing at the heart of Salt Lake City, where he had flown to Sunday, Young read out the church’s order that called for his excommunication.

“The decision of the council is that you be excommunicated for conduct contrary to the laws and order of the church,” Young read to a crowd as the entire event was streamed online. “This means that you are no longer a member of the church and do not enjoy any privileges of membership.”

“The issue is not that you have concerns or even that you disagree with the church’s guidelines,” he continued. “Rather, it is your persistent, aggressive effort to persuade others of your point of view.”

One of the changes in the church’s culture that Young had rallied for was to have another adult present as a witness during the private meetings between the bishops and the young Mormons.

Although the church did implement some changes in its rules in March, following months of protests from the people of the community, it made the presence of a second adult during the private meetings optional, instead of mandatory.

Janelle Brinton, a Houston resident, who was a longtime member of the Mormon church, said the rule to have an additional adult present during the private meetings was useless unless made mandatory.

“The only reason to be present while the bishop is interviewing is if you don’t trust him, and that doesn’t fly in the Mormon culture,” she said. “That’s seen as undermining or distrusting the authority of the divine mantle of the bishop.”

When the Houston Chronicle reached out to the church regarding Young’s excommunication, spokesperson Eric Hawkins reissued the same statement released during Young’s excommunication hearing.

“Because of the personal nature of Church disciplinary matters and to respect the privacy of those involved the Church does not provide information about the proceedings,” the statement said.

This was not the first time that the LDS church had excommunicated its own members for raising voices against their rules. Kate Kelly of Arizona was excommunicated for founding a Mormon women’s group in 2014; in 2011, John Dehlin of Utah was excommunicated for publicly supporting same-sex marriage and the ordination of women.

However, Young said he was taking the excommunication lying down, as he planned to appeal the church’s decision. He further warned the church leaders that individuals getting harassed will soon organize a movement as they have easy access to technology that can record the institution’s practices.

“Many people are fed up. Teenagers have cellphones,” he said. “Churches will not be able to prevent teenagers from recording.”

“Bishops, be warned!” he added. “People are now watching! Children are now recording! Your livelihoods and reputations are at risk. My excommunication is a clear demonstration that the church is not serious about child safety. And they certainly don’t give a damn about your safety, either, bishops.”