Comments on: Saturday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread

By: Ardis Parshall

Ardis Parshall — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:10:27 +0000

Thanks for your participation, all. Please return for tomorrow’s open threads.

By: manaen

manaen — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:08:39 +0000

My experience is that having help both from professionals and bishops/SPs brings the widest, deepest, soonest healing. Fortunately, the first professional who helped me also was a high councilman in another stake.
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BTW, I believe that it takes so long for the victims of abuse to heal not because the Lord want to leave them hanging but because the wounds are so profound that the changes to heal are fundamental and thus are painful — the Lord heals us them as they are able to receive those changes. That lengthiness is merciful, not cruel.

By: Brian Litster

Brian Litster — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:03:20 +0000

I thought General Conference was good over all today.

By: Margaret Young

Margaret Young — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:58:28 +0000

This is the second time Elder Scott has addressed this sensitive issue. The first time, there was a very negative response from some, who protested (with signs) and claimed he was oversimplifying the issue and encouraging the victim to blame himself/herself. That was many years ago. This time, he talked about forgiveness (as he did in his earlier talk), but note that he also spent a lot of time acknowledging the pain a victim of abuse experiences, and even said that forgiveness may take awhile. He also referred to the handbook as containing instructions about referring young people to counseling. I believe that is standard now. Church leaders are cautioned about approaching abuse or mental illnesses without professional help. In cases of depression and other mental illnesses, bishops are urged to refer the sufferer to counseling.

By: Michelle M

Michelle M — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:57:21 +0000

In Idaho there is a priest-penitent privilege and clergy are not required to report abuse they discover during confessions. This applies to Mormon bishops. However, the church asks bishops to encourage offenders to report themselves. I have seen this in action.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:54:36 +0000

Of course, the bishop can help set up meetings with a counselor through LDS social services. I was thinking that may be part of why the bishop would be a good place to start.

By: Sasha

Sasha — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:54:23 +0000

Mack Wilberg has outdone himself.

By: RBH

RBH — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:53:59 +0000

I think it is a similar dilemma for BYU bishops and the honor code – should bishops report inappropriate activity to school officials that might lead to a student’s expulsion from school – should bishops report activity that could lead to a member’s imprisonment. It is a difficult issue – on the one hand you want people to feel comfortable confessing and forsaking their sins on the other there is that whole notion of being subject to kings. I don’t know how to feel about both reporting and not reporting illegal activity.

By: Steve M

Steve M — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:52:42 +0000

When it comes to recovering from abuse, I think that the professional counselor’s office–not the bishop’s office–should be the first place to go. I’m not saying that the bishop shouldn’t be involved, but I don’t think the rule of thumb should be “See your bishop, and then maybe think about seeing a counselor.”

By: Christopher

Christopher — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:50:50 +0000

I know, Ardis. I agree with Sasha’s #109 in general sentiment, but thought in her zeal she overstated her case just a bit (something I’m admittedly guilty of regularly).