https://apnews.com/article/mormon-sex-abuse-de446ad8212b6ca50ecbaaf222c35e7e
I can't help but weep. It's not unexpected, but it's just so painful. I'm disappointed in our country for thinking that it's not only normal, but morally desirable to have 33 states officially agree in their laws that a clergy member has not only the right, but obligation, to keep abuse a secret. Yes, both protections are important, but when they collide, which is more legally binding? Right now in 33 of our 50 states, clergy-penitent privilege is the greater law. It is the ONE BIG LEGAL EXCEPTION that negates the legal mandatory reporting of abuse.
clergy privilege > child safety.
child safety > clergy privilege.
We can petition our state laws to hold this equation true:
CHILD SAFETY > ADULT PRIVILEGE.
It’s hard for me to not see the logical conclusion that the priorities of our church are equivalent to the first equation: clergy privilege > child safety.
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“But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Mark 10:15
“And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:16
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Matthew 18:5
“Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
“So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.” 3 Nephi 17:12
“And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.” 3 Nephi 17:13
“And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, . . . he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.” 3 Nephi 14-15
“And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father; And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.” 3 Nephi 17:16-17
“And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.” 3 Nephi 17:18
“And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise. And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.” 3 Nephi 17:19-20
“And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.” 3 Nephi 17:21
“And when he had done this he wept again; And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.” 3 Nephi 17:22-23
“And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.” 3 Nephi 17:21
I will stand with Jesus, every time.
Ironically this is what my religion has taught me to do.