Serving bishop resigns from the stand at sacrament meeting

[Jersey Girl]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=juI-FVmU4OU

Link to he and his wife’s interview on Mormon Stories.

I haven’t watched it yet, so no commentary at this time, except to say, did John dye his hair?

You know I thought that at first but looking back, his hair has always been that dark. I think it's that he's wearing it longer and now has the salt and pepper beard.

[I Have Questions]

I know that when you Google “cynical” you get a picture of me, but I can’t help but think this guy is following a prepared agenda that ends up with him seeking to monetise his disaffection in some way.

[msnobody]

I know that when you Google “cynical” you get a picture of me, but I can’t help but think this guy is following a prepared agenda that ends up with him seeking to monetise his disaffection in some way.

Seriously?

[I Have Questions]

I know that when you Google “cynical” you get a picture of me, but I can’t help but think this guy is following a prepared agenda that ends up with him seeking to monetise his disaffection in some way.

Seriously?

Yep, I can envisage that is where he is heading. I could be wrong of course. But as I said, google “cynical” and you’ll get me.

[toon]

Seriously?

Yep, I can envisage that is where he is heading. I could be wrong of course. But as I said, google “cynical” and you’ll get me.

I think there's reason to be cynical. Not about his motives for resigning, but about his reasons for resigning in such a public way. After all, he could have just told the stake president, and that would have been that. Word that he had resigned and the reasons for that still would have gotten around. But he strategized about it, had someone record it, and the recording was put up on the internet soon after. He then published a youtube explanation. And now is on Mormon Stories. I wouldn't say the goal is to monetize anything, as there really isn't that much money there for stuff like this. But it does give him cred or celebrity status in among certain former, disaffiliated, or questioning Mormons.

25 or so years ago, a counselor in my ward's bishopric quit. He no longer believed. PoGP issues, fraud, etc. He didn't announce it. He didn't talk to members about it. When members reached out, he didn't return calls. But everyone knew within a day or two, because people talk.

[msnobody]

Much of the “resigning in a public way” was beyond his control is what I gathered from the video. I know you would likely argue against that statement. I think once the cat was out of the bag, he chose to and maybe then had to chose to publicly tell his story. Where people run with that is beyond his control. If no one speaks out about the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, it certainly remains swept under the rug and allowed to continue. That is a huge burden for one to carry in silence.

[I Have Questions]

Much of the “resigning in a public way” was beyond his control is what I gathered from the video. I know you would likely argue against that statement.

What do you think are the arguments against that statement?

[master_dc]

He was/is a prominent figure in his ward, and resigning was going to cause a stir no matter what. I get that he wanted to control the narrative. One of the first things members would think is that there was some sort of sexual/law of chastity reason, and the church would never stop that reason from entering people’s minds (Hamuka?).

His immediate marketing and push across the exmormon community is where I agree that his intention is to make a name for himself. That is something I don’t get.

[msnobody]

Much of the “resigning in a public way” was beyond his control is what I gathered from the video. I know you would likely argue against that statement.

What do you think are the arguments against that statement?

That question would best be asked of the one(s) who would argue against that statement.

[msnobody]

I’m interested in hearing what posters here would say about how you would go about telling your own story if you were in the shoes of this former bishop. What methods or outlets would you utilize if you wanted to warn others and help others avoid the same abuses you’ve experienced at the hands of church leaders? Would you be responsible for the reactions and speculations of others who hear your story?