Ep115: The Ethical and Moral Dilemma of the Bishop's Mantle

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Landon and Rebecca are joined by AASECT Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Natasha Helfer and former LDS bishop, Joel Huntington, to discuss the role of ecclesiastical leaders who are often forced to override their own moral and ethical compass to serve.
Viewed in the framework of a bishop who recently resigned his calling publicly in front of his congregation, stating, "There's just a few things that I've been required to do that I personally cannot morally stand by. I can't. So I need to step down," we felt there was a larger conversation to be had here.
Utilizing the Natasha's expertise, we delve into the harm of invasive sexual questions between a bishop and the youth, as well as adults. We discuss the complete lack of training a bishop receives that makes him totally unqualified to be counseling anyone on these sensitive and complex issues.
We also learn about Joel's time as a bishop and the moral dilemmas he faced before he ultimately asked to be released from his calling. His insights from this perspective are something we don't hear often enough.
This was a really important conversation as each panelist shared details of their own personal experiences and more
Links to connect to Natasha:
Aasect.org
worldsexualhealth.net/wp-cont...
natashahelfer.com
symmetrypath.com
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[@ksparks689]

I love hearing from Natasha

[@carlasmith5375]

I am so impressed with Joel’s humility and bravery to talk about his time as a bishop and what he has learned since. I am so grateful for his willingness to add to this discussion! Thank you!

[@pollydunn3191]

At 53 I ended up divorced and started going to the LDS dances for older single people. They had married couple chaperons at these dances. It was like going back to high school. The chaperones definitely did NOT stop the sleeping around that I saw go on. 🤣🤣🤣

[@pamelatd]

Grown ass Rebecca saving little Rebecca makes me so happy. What a great thing to visualize!

[@janellbeach8616]

Wow. What a great episode. I left mormonism 35 years ago this month when my bishop called me in to discuss repentence while I was trying to figure out being a single mom to a newborn when I was 19.

[@ssamelion1sard914]

One of THE BEST podcasts I have ever listened to!

[@goonfarb6969]

I absolutely loved this episode. So much great insight and information. But super neat to see a former bishop's perspective ❤❤❤

[@Tlcbbl]

Thank you for this podcast. You are one of my favorites! What came to mind during your discussion was this.

[@Zeett09]

I was raised Catholic. We just had to go into the spooky confessional booth and confess our sins to the parish priest. He sat behind a veil (Not that veil). The conversation was pretty simple. I told the priest my “sins”. He asked Are you sorry? I said Yep. He said ok say 12 Hail Mary’s and all your sins are forgiven. I said Thanks Father. I left the both. It was maybe a 45 second conversation. No probing questions. Don’t get me wrong I hated that booth.

[@barryrichins]

I left the church silently just because I didn't think I could stay around any longer without being excommunicated for what I knew, not for anything I had done. And I didn''t want to be embarrassed by how people might have thought about me. I grew up in an organization that had little respect for boundries, and that was how I was, so I projected my lack on my fellow Mormons.

[@elainechester4756]

I am SO happy to be out of this toxic environment! Wish I had done it years ago!

[@sallyostling]

I am in therapy. I have no idea what my therapists views are on anything political or religious. He's very good at keeping his ideals out of things. My med manager in contrast has made it very clear her leanings and it made me really uncomfortable.

[@gailcapshaw397]

Thanks for a great show! I truly enjoyed it and learned a lot. Having left the church after nearly 50 years of membership, it’s embarrassing, and shocking to realize how little I knew about the basic sex needs of our youth. I’m grateful I’m female so was never called as a bishop to cause potential harm from my lack of knowledge.

[@kentthalman4459]

Important and insightful discussion

[@jstenuf]

I'm so glad for this awesome panel. I appreciate understanding more about the challenges. I think, having grown up conservative evangelical, we need similar healing from spiritual abuse.

[@IAmJustOneMom]

Judging fellow humans is difficult for people who genuinely care for their “flock”.

[@helenvick522]

Thank you. This is so helpful in so many ways.

[@janetbrockman3729]

I imagine it’s the hardest calling in the church. That’s where the rubber hits the road.

[@lfahn25]

Awesome episode! When the bishop sent me to a therapist for depression- I got two sessions. He didn't think the church should pay for more than that. Two sessions should have been enough.... apparently

[@cel2651]

Fantastic episode. Thank you so much Mormonish ❤❤