Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon Church or LDS for short) is under fire for a multitude of sexual assault allegations, including against children. In recent years, many members have come forward about abuse committed by leaders in the church and the Church’s failure to take adequate steps to prevent sexual abuse from occurring and handle reports of sexual abuse that it received. LDS Church leadership has demonstrated a willingness to put their congregants’ safety at stake to protect the reputation of those in power.

Reputation Over Justice

There are over fifty lawsuits currently pending in state and federal district courts across the United States over sexual abuse at the hands of leaders in the Mormon church. The Church’s General Handbook provides protocols for reporting this kind of abuse, but lawsuits filed have proved that these protocols have not been followed.

It was found that the “help line” created for bishops to report abuse was actually used as a way to suppress and destroy evidence. Calling this line would lead the bishop to the church’s lawyers who would instruct them to not report the abuse to authorities, but rather to cover the incident up.

In some instances, the church’s legal counsel would incorrectly give information on mandated reporting laws to church leaders, making sure they were silenced when trying to report. Assault allegations continue to file in against the church, suggesting that they continue to enable leaders in their abuse. Protecting the reputation of the church has been, and continues to be, more important than protecting the wellbeing of their clergy.

Recent Litigations

In April 2025, The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) decided against consolidating the cases into an MDL. Ultimately, they felt that the cases spanned too many decades and involved too many variations to benefit from centralizing as an MDL. Some of these variations include the abusers’ role in the church and the various reporting and investigating methods they employed.

This ruling is disappointing as an MDL allows for an efficient, timely trial. In a large and deeply systemic issue like this, an MDL gives a chance for evidence with commonalities like this one to be addressed together without continuing to bring up the abuse the survivors experienced. Now, each case will need to be taken as an individual lawsuit.

We’re Here to Help

As lawyers, we understand the emotional turmoil that comes with being a survivor of sexual assault. We want you to know that your story matters, and we are here to help you navigate the complexities of the case. Our compassionate legal team is here to listen and stand by your side as we seek justice on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual assault or violence at the hands of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, contact the attorneys at Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn today. We are here to support you through this difficult time and help you achieve the justice you deserve. We are accepting individual cases, and our team is ready to hear your story.

Timeline

2025

The JPML denied consolidating these lawsuits under an MDL.

Talks of reaching a settlement for victims are underway.

2022

A missionary for the LDS church accused another missionary of sexually abusing him while serving the Mormon Church, bringing up further issues with the church’s missionary program.

2021

The Mormon Church in Montana faced a lawsuit alleging that a child was sexually abused by a former church leader in the 1990s. Leaders in the church were told of the abuse when it occurred, but they did not report it to the authorities.

2015

In West Virginia, a sexual abuse case arose that further brought to light the questionable methods the Mormon Church has of reporting abuse. A bishop was accused of sexually abusing a child, but was not held responsible.

Question

Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon Church or LDS for short) is under fire for a multitude of sexual assault allegations, including against children. In recent years, many members have come forward about abuse committed by leaders in the church and the Church’s failure to take adequate steps to prevent sexual abuse from occurring and handle reports of sexual abuse that it received. LDS Church leadership has demonstrated a willingness to put their congregants’ safety at stake to protect the reputation of those in power.

Reputation Over Justice

There are over fifty lawsuits currently pending in state and federal district courts across the United States over sexual abuse at the hands of leaders in the Mormon church. The Church’s General Handbook provides protocols for reporting this kind of abuse, but lawsuits filed have proved that these protocols have not been followed.

It was found that the “help line” created for bishops to report abuse was actually used as a way to suppress and destroy evidence. Calling this line would lead the bishop to the church’s lawyers who would instruct them to not report the abuse to authorities, but rather to cover the incident up.

In some instances, the church’s legal counsel would incorrectly give information on mandated reporting laws to church leaders, making sure they were silenced when trying to report. Assault allegations continue to file in against the church, suggesting that they continue to enable leaders in their abuse. Protecting the reputation of the church has been, and continues to be, more important than protecting the wellbeing of their clergy.

Recent Litigations

In April 2025, The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) decided against consolidating the cases into an MDL. Ultimately, they felt that the cases spanned too many decades and involved too many variations to benefit from centralizing as an MDL. Some of these variations include the abusers’ role in the church and the various reporting and investigating methods they employed.

This ruling is disappointing as an MDL allows for an efficient, timely trial. In a large and deeply systemic issue like this, an MDL gives a chance for evidence with commonalities like this one to be addressed together without continuing to bring up the abuse the survivors experienced. Now, each case will need to be taken as an individual lawsuit.

Timeline

2025

The JPML denied consolidating these lawsuits under an MDL.
Talks of reaching a settlement for victims are underway.

2022

A missionary for the LDS church accused another missionary of sexually abusing him while serving the Mormon Church, bringing up further issues with the church’s missionary program.

2021

The Mormon Church in Montana faced a lawsuit alleging that a child was sexually abused by a former church leader in the 1990s. Leaders in the church were told of the abuse when it occurred, but they did not report it to the authorities.

2015

In West Virginia, a sexual abuse case arose that further brought to light the questionable methods the Mormon Church has of reporting abuse. A bishop was accused of sexually abusing a child, but was not held responsible.

Accepted Answer

Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon Church or LDS for short) is under fire for a multitude of sexual assault allegations, including against children. In recent years, many members have come forward about abuse committed by leaders in the church and the Church’s failure to take adequate steps to prevent sexual abuse from occurring and handle reports of sexual abuse that it received. LDS Church leadership has demonstrated a willingness to put their congregants’ safety at stake to protect the reputation of those in power.

Reputation Over Justice

There are over fifty lawsuits currently pending in state and federal district courts across the United States over sexual abuse at the hands of leaders in the Mormon church. The Church’s General Handbook provides protocols for reporting this kind of abuse, but lawsuits filed have proved that these protocols have not been followed.

It was found that the “help line” created for bishops to report abuse was actually used as a way to suppress and destroy evidence. Calling this line would lead the bishop to the church’s lawyers who would instruct them to not report the abuse to authorities, but rather to cover the incident up.

In some instances, the church’s legal counsel would incorrectly give information on mandated reporting laws to church leaders, making sure they were silenced when trying to report. Assault allegations continue to file in against the church, suggesting that they continue to enable leaders in their abuse. Protecting the reputation of the church has been, and continues to be, more important than protecting the wellbeing of their clergy.

Recent Litigations

In April 2025, The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) decided against consolidating the cases into an MDL. Ultimately, they felt that the cases spanned too many decades and involved too many variations to benefit from centralizing as an MDL. Some of these variations include the abusers’ role in the church and the various reporting and investigating methods they employed.

This ruling is disappointing as an MDL allows for an efficient, timely trial. In a large and deeply systemic issue like this, an MDL gives a chance for evidence with commonalities like this one to be addressed together without continuing to bring up the abuse the survivors experienced. Now, each case will need to be taken as an individual lawsuit.

Timeline

2025

The JPML denied consolidating these lawsuits under an MDL.
Talks of reaching a settlement for victims are underway.

2022

A missionary for the LDS church accused another missionary of sexually abusing him while serving the Mormon Church, bringing up further issues with the church’s missionary program.

2021

The Mormon Church in Montana faced a lawsuit alleging that a child was sexually abused by a former church leader in the 1990s. Leaders in the church were told of the abuse when it occurred, but they did not report it to the authorities.

2015

In West Virginia, a sexual abuse case arose that further brought to light the questionable methods the Mormon Church has of reporting abuse. A bishop was accused of sexually abusing a child, but was not held responsible.