Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we speak with Christopher Jenkins, a former LDS bishop, about his personal experience with the Church’s abuse hotline. While serving as bishop in Washington, a ward member confessed to him that they had an abusive relationship with a teenager. When Christopher called the Church’s hotline for guidance, he says he was told he was not a mandatory reporter and felt pressured not to report the abuse to authorities.
Christopher walks us through the calls he made to the hotline, the legal framing of the guidance he received, and the lack of follow-up afterward. He also discusses broader issues surrounding clergy confidentiality, how reporting requirements vary by jurisdiction, and what he perceived as the Church’s focus on institutional liability rather than victim care.
We also explore how he now views mandatory reporting laws, the Church’s opposition to certain reporting requirements in Washington, and larger questions about abuse prevention, bishop training, and accountability. Christopher shares how this experience, along with navigating life as the father of LGBTQ+ children, contributed to significant shifts in his faith.
This conversation centers on leadership responsibility, ethical decision-making, and what happens when institutional guidance conflicts with personal conscience.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/another-mormon-bishop-told-not-to-report
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:41 - Christopher’s Intention
00:13:50 - Patriarchal blessing
00:16:43 - Mission to Argentina
00:18:21 - Mental breakdown
00:20:30 - BYU and Temple Marriage
00:30:43 - Called as bishop
00:38:17 - The CES Letter
00:42:08 - No training
00:58:48 - Ward member confesses to abuse
01:17:29 - LDS Church fights mandatory reporting laws
01:23:29 - Abuse in the Boy Scouts
01:26:24 - Apologist argument for the current system
01:29:49 - Bishop Beau Oyler
01:40:21 - Second call to the hotline
01:45:22 - Any fear he will be excommunicated?
01:54:40 - Recently learned about Joseph Smith’s polyandry
02:04:13 - Apologetics drives me further away from the church
02:07:12 - Still processing queer issues
02:12:08 - Still attending church
02:20:40 - Seeking connections with post-Mormons
02:26:35 - Fitting in vs belonging
02:33:05 - Final questions
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
Venmo: account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories
Paypal: paypal.me/mormonstories
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join
Our Platforms:
🌐Mormon Stories Blog: mormonstories.org/episodes
🎙️Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
✳️Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1
🍎Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772
🖼️Instagram: instagram.com/mormstories
📱TikTok: tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast
🎮Discord: discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
In this episode of Mormon Stories Podcast, we speak with Christopher Jenkins, a former LDS bishop, about his personal experience with the Church’s abuse hotline. While serving as bishop in Washington, a ward member confessed to him that they had an abusive relationship with a teenager. When Christopher called the Church’s hotline for guidance, he says he was told he was not a mandatory reporter and felt pressured not to report the abuse to authorities.
Christopher walks us through the calls he made to the hotline, the legal framing of the guidance he received, and the lack of follow-up afterward. He also discusses broader issues surrounding clergy confidentiality, how reporting requirements vary by jurisdiction, and what he perceived as the Church’s focus on institutional liability rather than victim care.
We also explore how he now views mandatory reporting laws, the Church’s opposition to certain reporting requirements in Washington, and larger questions about abuse prevention, bishop training, and accountability. Christopher shares how this experience, along with navigating life as the father of LGBTQ+ children, contributed to significant shifts in his faith.
This conversation centers on leadership responsibility, ethical decision-making, and what happens when institutional guidance conflicts with personal conscience.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/another-mormon-bishop-told-not-to-report
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:41 - Christopher’s Intention
00:13:50 - Patriarchal blessing
00:16:43 - Mission to Argentina
00:18:21 - Mental breakdown
00:20:30 - BYU and Temple Marriage
00:30:43 - Called as bishop
00:38:17 - The CES Letter
00:42:08 - No training
00:58:48 - Ward member confesses to abuse
01:17:29 - LDS Church fights mandatory reporting laws
01:23:29 - Abuse in the Boy Scouts
01:26:24 - Apologist argument for the current system
01:29:49 - Bishop Beau Oyler
01:40:21 - Second call to the hotline
01:45:22 - Any fear he will be excommunicated?
01:54:40 - Recently learned about Joseph Smith’s polyandry
02:04:13 - Apologetics drives me further away from the church
02:07:12 - Still processing queer issues
02:12:08 - Still attending church
02:20:40 - Seeking connections with post-Mormons
02:26:35 - Fitting in vs belonging
02:33:05 - Final questions
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
Venmo: account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories
Paypal: paypal.me/mormonstories
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join
Our Platforms:
🌐Mormon Stories Blog: mormonstories.org/episodes
🎙️Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
✳️Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1
🍎Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772
🖼️Instagram: instagram.com/mormstories
📱TikTok: tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast
🎮Discord: discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
