Former LDS Bishop Sam Young officially released

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (News4utah) – Sam Young held a press conference Sunday where he announced that he had been officially released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Young, the founder of Protect LDS Children, received a letter on August 28 stating that a formal disciplinary board would meet on his behalf. The letter told Young that counseling could result in "the possibility of excommunication, exclusion, official probation or action." The reason for this advice is that you have demonstrated clear, open and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its rulers. "

Earlier this week, church leaders delivered a letter of verdict to Young in Houston, and at the Sunday press conference, he read the verdict for the first time.

In July, Young went on a 23-day hunger strike and called on church leaders to end individual bishop-child interviews, as well as sexually explicit questions sometimes asked during interviews. .

In an interview with News4Utah in July, Young said, "I have six girls and have been asked sexually explicit questions.That's what pushed the gear to engage in my brain and to say, when you go to length, for everyone. "

While Young was attending his Discipline Council hearing in Houston, his supporters from Utah, Texas, Arizona and Colorado said they had organized demonstrations to show their solidarity with his cause.

Earlier this month, nearly two hundred people gathered to protest the possible ex-communication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints near Temple Square on Sunday.

"There are people who say," Oh, Sam does that to attract attention. "Well yes, we draw attention to something that we find harmful and damaging," Mindy Burton said. "I logically understand why he was brought to the church board, but if you look at things objectively and see things in my eyes, we're just supporting little kids."

"This has broken some of my trust with some leaders.I support many things that the church does but it is an area that the church must consider," Tulley said.

Crystal Legionaires said that Young's cause had touched her at home because of the trauma and shame she had felt during her church interviews. She said that the church's response had been disappointing for her.

"How can we stop sexual assault if everyone who calls them is silenced?" said the legionaries. "This shows that they are more willing to protect predators than to protect Sam."

She said that despite Young's status in the church, he and his followers will not stop until something is done to better protect children in the church.

"I think if they wanted to close Sam, it was something that had to happen at the beginning – it's too late now," Legionaires said. "There is so much going on at this flame and too many people are standing behind to say that we have to stay with us and recognize that change can be difficult." The change may be uncomfortable but it's a change necessary."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued this statement in response to the movement of Sam Young on July 29, 2018:

Children and young people are precious. We share the desire to protect them, help them grow and develop their faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, and lead a good and moral life. This includes creating good relationships with church leaders and youth leaders who can provide support in many contexts, including personal interviews.

In recent months, the Church has taken important steps to improve these interactions and strengthen relationships between youth and their parents and leaders and will continue to do so.

Church leaders at all levels – from Sam's local bishop and stake president to a recent conversation with a general authority – met him to express his love, listen to him and advise him. They have received and reviewed his documents and clearly understand his point of view. Other meetings with him are not necessary to clarify his position on this issue.

The Church will continue to look for ways to guide, inspire and nurture youth by strengthening homes, providing positive role models and offering learning activities and opportunities that reinforce the character and deepen faith in Jesus Christ.

Jonathan Humes, one of the organizers of the protest, said that no decision had been made on Sunday night regarding Young's status in the church.

The participants held a candlelight vigil after the protest to "remember the victims of sexual violence and others whose lives have been affected by their ecclesiastical talks".