21st century saints

23rd August, 2022

An Open Letter to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

As organisations and individuals who have an interest in the welfare of children, youth and vulnerable adults in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have serious concerns about safeguarding procedures within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

The recent Associated Press article has caused a great deal of concern from within and outside of the Latter-day Saint faith community. We believe the Church’s response to the article is wholly insufficient and which does not alleviate the concerns raised by the AP article. 

Basic safeguarding procedures are not being followed within the Church. Congregants who work directly and closely with children, youth and vulnerable adults are not subject to criminal background checks. No safeguarding information is on display in our buildings. There is no training for members or leaders in the church with the exception of an extremely poor and wholly insufficient online video which lasts for less than 30 minutes. The Handbook of Instructions contains insufficient procedural advice. This is NOT safeguarding.

1. We ask that you ensure that all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who will or who may work with children and vulnerable adults, be subject to criminal background checks.

2. We ask that Bishops and any lay members report suspected cases of abuse to the relevant authorities immediately in all areas of the world.

3. We ask you to ensure that safeguarding procedures are brought to an acceptable and ideally high standard.

We would like to make you personally aware of specific instances where people in the church throughout the world have been harmed by these failings. Currently, I would draw your attention to the ongoing Scottish Child Abuse inquiry where some of these issues have been courageously spoken of by survivors. We offer to meet with you in order to share with you the lived and ongoing experiences of those who have been impacted most. Presidents and Elders, we testify to you that they are the most distressing things we have ever heard.

We believe that you will understand the seriousness of these issues and the urgency with which we need you to act.

Your Sincerely,

21st Century Saints

(Jane Christie, Alana Wilson Bryce, Sara Elizabeth Delaney)

Meet Our Co- Signers

(updated 14 February 2023)

Co-Signed:

The BritVengers

Nemo The Mormon (YouTube)

Laura and Julian Heath (Presenters)

Peter Bleakley (Mormon Civil War)

Priesthood Dispatches (YouTube)

Bill Reel (Mormon Discussions)

Radio Free Mormon (Podcast)

Lindsay Hansen Park (Sunstone / Year of Polygamy Podcast)

Marco Fuentes (Mormon Neuro-Divergence)

Drew Hunter (Social Commentator)

Natasha Helfer (LCMFT, CST, CSTS)

Lynne Bleakley (Social Media)

Scott (Rameumtpton Ruminations)

Maven Brodie (Broadcaster)

Katie Moore (Social Media)

Brian Bresee (Activist)

Dr Julie Hanks

Charles Lawson (author)

Deborah Coleman

Donnell Allan

Mark D. Nielsen

Susan York

Lucy Ramirez

Timothy Burt, LPC, LTMF

Doug Vincent

Cerri Evans

Lilly Cowan

Kathryn Class

Angie Jones

Eliot Woodland

Ruth Heath

Cerri Evans

Lance Abson

Eleanor Sundwall

Mark D. Nielsen

Lilly Cowan

Nathan Bigler

Charles Christie

Debbie Shrubb

Wade R Johns (Paedeatric Nurse)

Lucy Ramirez

Angie Jones

Heidi Christensen

Sook Vargas

Greg Butler

Chaplain Shawna Lovejoy Ph.D

Lori Clark

Rita Conley