Confronting the Mormon Church Over Our Child's Abuser - Jared and Ashley Jones Pt. 2 | Ep 1768
In Part 2 of this eye-opening interview, Jared and Ashley Jones courageously share their experiences with child abuse within the Mormon community and the disturbing lengths to which leaders will go to protect abusers, even at the expense of victims. They display a unique form of communication between husband and wife as they work together to recount the details and timeline after discovering sexual abuse allegations involving the teen son of a Bishopric member. Despite their efforts to seek justice and protect others, they faced resistance from church leaders who prioritized the reputation of the church and the experiences of the abuser's family over the safety and well-being of the families of his many victims time and time again. As Jared and Ashley shed light on the systemic failures and manipulations they encountered to silence and discredit them, they offer insights into the urgent need for change within the Mormon church. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that delves into the complexities of abuse, power dynamics, and the call for accountability.
Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast...
00:00:00 Foster/adopt youngest daughter (3yo) in 2020.
00:08:20 Sexual abuse allegationsfrom Influential family in ward.
00:27:45 Bishop & Stake President knew about the abuse previously and didn’t tell them. 00:49:30 Area authority calls Ashley a liar in a letter to the entire ward.
00:54:15 Leaders issue “weak retraction” after a threat.
00:58:00 The church’s policies are set up to protect the church
00:59:30 How the Church’s legal firm manipulates Bishops against reporting sexual assault.
01:03:15 Escalating to Area Authority who gives a talk on forgiveness
01:05:30 Voting opposed to church leadership
01:07:40 Parents negligent in their duties to keep track of abuser at Church
01:12:00 Leaders emotionally manipulating Jared and Ashley
01:14:45 Abuser’s family relocated to another ward with lots of children
01:16:30 Ward/Stake/Church rallies around family of abuser
01:32:45 Anonymous letter brings victim count up to nine children
01:36:15 Stake president expresses concern about criticism of leaders than of keeping members safe.
01:41:45 Perpetrator's father in position of influence as high school principal.
01:43:00 Ward members pressuring Jared and Ashley to forgive and back off.
01:58:00 Ashley starts posting publicly about the abuse. Stake is dissolved.
02:03:00 How the Mormon church is a safe harbor for abusers
02:18:00 Jared starts looking more into the Church and his deconstruction starts.
02:31:00 No longer a member of the church, Now only true to what he believes
02:36:00 Patterns of protecting abusers at the expense of victims are longstanding
02:41:45 I’m happier, and a better father
02:46:00 What the church CAN do to improve, why they won’t
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