Mormon Church Scandal

October 22, 2025
Sarah Miller

The Mormon Church scandal refers to mounting revelations of child sexual abuse, cover-ups, and financial misconduct tied to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Survivors, former members, and investigative journalists have uncovered how church leaders concealed decades of abuse, leaving victims without justice and protection. These scandals echo patterns seen in the Catholic Church and other religious institutions, sparking lawsuits, high-profile settlements, and growing scrutiny of LDS leadership.

If you or your family suffered sexual abuse, Legal Claim Assistant can connect you with an attorney for a free, confidential case review.

No Win, No Fee. Let the Best Sex Abuse Attorneys Fight for your Compensation!

Key Takeaways:

The Mormon Church scandal involves decades of sexual abuse, cover-ups, and institutional secrecy within the LDS Church, leaving many victims without justice.
Survivors of child sexual abuse may experience long-lasting emotional, psychological, and spiritual consequences, including trauma, depression, anxiety, and loss of trust in church leaders and the wider Mormon community.
Abuse often occurred in trusted environments such as local congregations, temples, and church-affiliated programs, making the betrayal deeply damaging to both individuals and families.
The LDS Church has faced lawsuits, settlements, and legal scrutiny across multiple states, revealing systemic failures in protecting children and handling sexual abuse claims appropriately.
Legal Claim Assistant connects survivors with experienced attorneys who can guide them through sexual abuse lawsuits and provide free, confidential case reviews, helping victims take the first step toward justice and accountability.

Find out your eligibility in 2 minutes

If your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, you are not alone. Many families face the same fear, pain, and search for justice. Our team can connect you with experienced child sexual abuse attorneys who understand these sensitive cases, protect your child’s rights, and guide your family through filing a legal claim for the compensation and accountability you deserve.

Begin your free and confidential case review today.

What Is the Mormon Church Scandal?

The Mormon Church scandal refers to a broad set of crises surrounding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). At the heart of these scandals are allegations of child sexual abuse, financial secrecy, and cultural practices that critics say protect abusers instead of protecting children. Survivors, journalists, and former church members argue that the LDS hierarchy and church leaders in Salt Lake City dedicated “tremendous resources” not to transparency but to shielding the church’s reputation.

This scandal is not a single isolated incident but rather a pattern of abuse claims, cover-ups, and lawsuits that span decades across the Mormon community in the United States and internationally. From West Virginia to Idaho, and from local wards to high-level church officials, lawsuits allege a systemic effort to suppress reports, silence victims, and rely on legal doctrines like clergy privilege or clergy penitent privilege to avoid accountability.

Unlike the Catholic Church scandals where catholic priests were often implicated many of these cases involve local LDS bishops, mission presidents, and other church leaders accused of sexually abusing children, teenagers, or vulnerable adults.

Different Types of Mormon Church Scandals

Although the term “Mormon Church scandal” is often used broadly, it generally falls into three categories:

1. Sexual Abuse Scandals

The most devastating and widely reported allegations involve childhood sexual abuse. Families and survivors claim that:

LDS bishops and other church leaders ignored or minimized reports of abuse.
The church’s risk management division and lawyers were used to shield abusers rather than protect victims.
Internal policies often discouraged reporting abuse to the criminal justice system, instead advising victims to rely on church channels.
Cases like those of Paul Adams, John Goodrich, and Chelsea Goodrich revealed how abuse occurred in family or church settings but was allegedly concealed by the institution.

Numerous lawsuits allege that the church knew about ongoing abuse yet allowed perpetrators to continue, causing lasting emotional distress for survivors.

2. Financial Scandals

The LDS Church’s financial secrecy has also fueled controversy. Through Ensign Peak Advisors, the church accumulated billions of dollars in investments while members continued to tithe. Critics argue that funds intended for charitable or missionary purposes were instead stockpiled in ways that misled the public. These financial controversies intertwine with abuse scandals when plaintiffs allege that money was used to quietly settle claims and suppress exposure.

3. Cultural and Legal Controversies

The LDS community’s strong emphasis on obedience, modesty, and protecting the church often intersects with abuse cases. Lawsuits highlight how:

Church lawyers and legal counsel advised local bishops to rely on clergy privilege to avoid reporting crimes.
Internal guidance encouraged leaders to handle abuse “within the church” instead of notifying police.
Families allege that only the perpetrator was addressed, while the broader community was kept in the dark.
Audio recordings and Associated Press investigations suggest systemic policies that suppress reports of abuse.

To understand the wider picture of these abuse cases and lawsuits, see our dedicated guide on Mormon Church Abuse

Timeline of Mormon Abuse Cases

The Mormon Church scandal cannot be understood without tracing the timeline of high-profile child sexual abuse cases that have emerged in recent decades. From the early 2000s to the 2020s, lawsuits and survivor accounts have steadily revealed how church leaders, lawyers, and institutional structures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) repeatedly failed to protect victims. Each case adds to mounting evidence that the LDS Church’s internal systems prioritized reputation over transparency, echoing similar issues seen in the Catholic Church.

Early 2000s Growing Awareness of Abuse Claims

By the 2000s, survivors began publicly challenging the child sex abuse secret that many say was embedded in Mormon culture. Church members and families reported that local leaders often relied on clergy penitent privilege to avoid reporting abuse to the police. Instead, bishops and stake presidents sometimes turned to church hotlines that connected them with legal counsel in Salt Lake City, not child protection authorities.

Lawsuits during this time alleged that local Idaho bishops and other church officials had knowledge of abuse but suppressed disclosure.
The Associated Press and Salt Lake Tribune began reporting on lawsuits alleging that the church actively shielded abusers while victims endured ongoing trauma.

2010s Joseph Bishop and the Rise of National Scrutiny

The scandal widened dramatically in 2018 when allegations against Joseph Bishop, a former Mormon bishop and mission president, became public. A woman claimed that Bishop sexually assaulted her during a private meeting at the Mormon temple years earlier.

Audio recordings released by the accuser suggested Bishop admitted to inappropriate behavior, sparking outrage.
Church spokespersons initially denied wrongdoing, but mounting public pressure highlighted the church’s risk management strategies and how they often discouraged survivors from going to law enforcement.

This case represented a turning point, showing that sexual abuse lawsuits against church leaders were not isolated incidents but part of a systemic issue.

2012–2014 The Michael Jensen Case in West Virginia

Another pivotal case involved Michael Jensen, whose abuse in West Virginia revealed major failures in the church’s reporting system.

Jensen, closely tied to active church members, was convicted of sexually abusing multiple children.
Court documents showed that plaintiffs allege church officials had prior warnings but did not act, raising questions about whether policies that exempt clergy from mandatory reporting contributed to the lack of intervention.
Survivors, including families like the Goodrichs (John Goodrich, Chelsea Goodrich, and Lorraine Goodrich related cases), later alleged that the church knew of ongoing abuse but prioritized institutional protection.

The Jensen case illustrated how local church leaders often lacked proper training and leaned on legal protections like clergy privilege rather than proactively protecting children.

2020s New Lawsuits and Renewed Investigations

By the 2020s, waves of lawsuits and investigative reporting painted a broader picture of systemic neglect:

Multiple cases filed in federal courts, including the Central District, highlighted how child sexual abuse cases were consistently mishandled.
Families argued that the church’s hotline and legal counsel instructed local church leaders to suppress abuse reports, sometimes advising that “only the perpetrator” needed to be disciplined internally.
Plaintiffs accused the LDS Church of causing lasting emotional distress by fostering a culture where abuse occurred repeatedly, often within family and community settings.

Cover-Ups and Secrecy Within the LDS Church

One of the most troubling aspects of the Mormon Church scandal is how LDS Church leaders allegedly suppressed or mishandled abuse claims over decades. Survivors and investigative journalists have repeatedly reported that church officials in Salt Lake City prioritized institutional protection over the safety and well-being of children, teens, and vulnerable adults. This secrecy has allowed perpetrators of sexual abuse to remain in positions of power, often within the Mormon temple or local congregations.

FREE!

Find out if you're eligible and may be eligible for compensation.

Get your Free Case Review and Maximize You Payout With the Help From Legal Claim Assistant.

Suppression of Abuse Claims

Multiple survivors have come forward to describe how childhood sexual abuse and other sex abuse claims were quietly handled by local LDS bishops and church lawyers rather than reported to law enforcement. Internal policies often relied on clergy privilege, creating legal and ethical loopholes that exempted church leaders from mandatory reporting requirements.

Families, including the John Goodrich and Paul Rytting cases, allege that the same abuse repeated because adult survivors and their family members were discouraged from speaking out.
According to lawsuits, some church spokespersons and legal teams actively shielded abusers, providing counseling only for the perpetrator or relocating the offender rather than taking corrective action.
In some instances, church membership records were altered or kept confidential to prevent transparency in child sexual abuse cases.

Whistleblowers and Investigative Reporting

The Associated Press, Salt Lake Tribune, PBS, and other media outlets have documented how the LDS Church’s hierarchical structure enabled systemic cover-ups. Investigative reports reveal:

Church offices in Salt Lake City coordinated responses to abuse allegations that limited public disclosure.
Internal audio recordings and documents show that church officials sometimes instructed local leaders to suppress reports and maintain secrecy, often citing clergy privilege as justification.
Whistleblowers have exposed policies that discouraged victims from reporting to the criminal justice system, instead directing them to internal church processes.

These revelations underscore how religious organizations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can fail in their responsibility to protect children, despite claiming moral oversight aligned with the teachings of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Legal Fallout From the Scandals

The Mormon Church scandal has resulted in numerous sexual abuse claims and child sex abuse claims filed against the LDS Church across the United States, particularly in California, Utah, and other states. Survivors and adult survivors have alleged that church leaders and local officials failed to intervene or report incidents of child abuse, allowing sexual misconduct to continue unchecked.

High-profile cases, including those John Goodrich related, illustrate how church officials sometimes relied on internal procedures or clergy privilege to avoid accountability, leaving victims and their family members with prolonged trauma and limited avenues for justice.

Many of these lawsuits have led to settlements and jury verdicts that recognize the harm suffered by survivors. Financial compensation has provided victims with resources for healing, therapy, and closure, while also signaling that church officials cannot rely solely on secrecy or internal disciplinary measures to evade legal responsibility.

Some cases have revealed patterns in the church’s handling of sexual assault and child sexual abuse cases, showing that repeated incidents of abuse were often mishandled or inadequately addressed by local church leaders and LDS Church leaders in Salt Lake City.

Even today, legal challenges continue as new lawsuits emerge, demonstrating that accountability for the LDS Church’s alleged misconduct is ongoing. Reforms in certain states, such as extended statutes of limitations, have allowed previously barred claims to move forward, giving adult survivors a renewed opportunity for justice. These continuing legal battles highlight both the persistent nature of sexual abuse claims within the Mormon Church and the importance of connecting survivors to knowledgeable attorneys.

For more information on current lawsuits and guidance on pursuing legal action, see the LDS Lawsuit.

“The Mormon Church scandal reveals the cost of silence—and the power of survivors who choose to speak.”

Response of the LDS Church to Scandal Allegations

In response to widespread sexual abuse claims and child sex abuse cases, the LDS Church has issued public statements expressing regret and pledging to protect children. Church spokespersons often highlight initiatives such as training for local leaders and protocols for reporting misconduct. However, survivors and investigative journalists have criticized the gap between these statements and actual actions taken.

Historical reports suggest that some church officials advised local leaders to rely on clergy privilege and internal processes rather than reporting abuse to the criminal justice system, leaving victims without adequate support or recourse. Cases like the John Goodrich related incidents illustrate how promises of accountability often fell short, with institutional reputation prioritized over survivor well-being.

The LDS Church maintains an internal help line for reporting abuse and connecting victims to resources. While intended to provide support for adult survivors and families of child abuse victims, critics argue the hotline has sometimes emphasized legal protection for the church over actual victim care.

Survivors report that the help line often directed local bishops to involve church lawyers rather than law enforcement, which perpetuated secrecy and allowed alleged abusers to remain active within church membership. These practices contributed to long-term emotional and psychological harm for victims and reinforced the perception that church leaders shield abusers instead of protecting children.

In recent years, the LDS Church has introduced reforms and prevention programs aimed at addressing systemic failures. Updated training emphasizes recognizing abuse, maintaining proper boundaries, and reporting abuse to authorities, while partnerships with external counseling services aim to better support survivors of sexual misconduct.

Despite these efforts, advocates argue that structural and cultural challenges remain, requiring transparent enforcement and ongoing accountability. True progress, they assert, will depend on the church taking meaningful action that prioritizes survivor safety, addresses past failures, and ensures that abuse claims are never handled solely within internal channels.

FREE!

Find out if you're eligible and may be eligible for compensation.

Get your Free Case Review and Maximize You Payout With the Help From Legal Claim Assistant.

Beyond Abuse Other Mormon Church Scandals

While sexual abuse scandals have drawn the most attention, the Mormon Church scandal also encompasses broader issues, including financial controversies and questions about institutional accountability. The church’s financial operations, particularly the management of tithing funds and investments through entities like Ensign Peak Advisors, have faced criticism for a lack of transparency.

Lawsuits and investigative reports allege that billions of dollars were stockpiled while members were not fully informed, raising concerns about whether funds intended for charitable or religious purposes were being properly used. Critics argue that these financial practices, like abuse cover-ups, reflect a pattern of prioritizing institutional reputation over accountability.

Temple permit disputes and property controversies have further fueled scrutiny. In several communities, local governments and residents have questioned the LDS Church’s compliance with zoning regulations, construction permits, and historic preservation rules. Some lawsuits highlight how the church leveraged its institutional influence to advance construction projects, often without adequately addressing community concerns.

Taken together, these scandals highlight systemic issues of governance and accountability within the LDS Church. Beyond financial and property controversies, advocates and researchers argue that cultural structures hierarchical leadership, centralized decision-making, and limited external oversight have allowed misconduct to persist across multiple areas of church activity.

Impact of the Mormon Church Scandal on Survivors

The Mormon Church scandal has had profound emotional, psychological, and spiritual consequences for survivors of child sexual abuse and other forms of sexual misconduct. Many victims experience long-term trauma, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a deep sense of betrayal by church leaders and the wider Mormon community.

Survivors often struggle with conflicting emotions toward their faith and spiritual beliefs, particularly when the abuse occurred within sacred spaces like Mormon temples or under the supervision of trusted local leaders. The emotional impact is compounded when church officials failed to respond adequately to sexual abuse claims, leaving survivors feeling isolated and unheard.

Beyond individual trauma, the scandal has damaged trust within communities. Families and congregations have been shaken by revelations that child sex abuse claims were mishandled or suppressed, and that church lawyers and leaders sometimes prioritized institutional protection over child safety.

This erosion of trust affects not only survivors but also family members and other church members who struggle to reconcile their faith with the realities of abuse and cover-ups. Many report feeling disillusioned and fearful, questioning the credibility of LDS Church leaders and the accountability mechanisms within the institution.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mormon Church Scandal

What is the Mormon Church scandal?

The Mormon Church scandal refers to ongoing revelations of sexual abuse, cover-ups, and institutional secrecy within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Over the decades, survivors and investigative journalists have documented how church leaders and local officials sometimes mishandled child sexual abuse claims, suppressed reports using clergy privilege, and prioritized institutional protection over the safety of children. These scandals have sparked widespread scrutiny, lawsuits, and public calls for accountability.

How many abuse cases involve the LDS Church?

While exact numbers are difficult to confirm due to decades of secrecy, hundreds of child sexual abuse cases and sexual abuse claims against the LDS Church have been reported across the U.S. and internationally. High-profile cases, including those involving John Goodrich related incidents, have exposed systemic failures, and many adult survivors continue to come forward. Investigations by the Associated Press, Salt Lake Tribune, and other media outlets have helped shed light on the scope of abuse within the church.

Has the LDS Church admitted wrongdoing?

The LDS Church has publicly acknowledged that abuse has occurred within its ranks and expressed regret for victims’ suffering. However, critics argue that church spokespersons and legal counsel have often framed these admissions in ways that minimize institutional responsibility. While some reforms and prevention programs have been introduced, survivors frequently report that church leaders failed to act effectively in the past, leaving many cases unresolved.

Can I still file a lawsuit if the abuse happened years ago?

Yes. Many states have updated or extended statutes of limitations, allowing survivors to pursue sexual abuse lawsuits even if the abuse occurred decades ago. Organizations like Legal Claim Assistant can help victims understand whether they meet the legal criteria and connect them with experienced attorneys who specialize in child sex abuse claims within the LDS Church.

What compensation is available in an LDS abuse lawsuit?

Compensation can vary depending on the nature of the abuse, the impact on the survivor, and the specifics of the case. Settlements or jury awards may cover emotional distress, medical and therapy costs, lost income, and punitive damages. Legal action also allows survivors to hold church officials accountable, ensuring that institutional failures are addressed alongside individual restitution.

Take Action if You Were Affected

Even decades after abuse occurred, survivors of the Mormon Church scandal can still pursue justice. The passage of time does not erase responsibility, and recent changes to statutes of limitations in several states allow victims to file sexual abuse lawsuits against the LDS Church.

Recognizing that secrecy and cover-ups may have delayed reporting, the legal system now provides avenues for adult survivors and families to hold church leaders accountable and seek restitution for the harm suffered.

Legal Claim Assistant is dedicated to helping survivors navigate this complex process. We connect victims with trusted attorneys who specialize in child sexual abuse claims within the LDS Church and other religious organizations. Our team ensures that survivors receive a free, confidential case review, understand their legal options, and gain support throughout every step of pursuing a claim.

Get your free, confidential case review today and hold the LDS Church accountable. Reaching out is safe, private, and the first step toward reclaiming control and ensuring your voice is heard.

You Deserve Justice. Let Us Help.

Speak with a trusted sexual abuse attorney who will stand by your side, protect your privacy, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

No Win, No Fee. Let the Best Sex Abuse Attorneys Fight for your Compensation!