Sexual abuse within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) -- commonly referred to as the Mormon Church -- has been the subject of growing legal scrutiny. In recent years, hundreds of survivors have come forward with accounts of abuse committed by bishops, youth leaders, missionaries, and other church members -- and dozens of civil lawsuits have been filed against the institution itself.
If you were abused within an LDS Church setting, you have legal rights, and experienced clergy abuse attorneys can help you understand them.
Recent LDS Church Abuse Lawsuits and Settlements
Legal action against the LDS Church has accelerated significantly in recent years:
In May 2025 , the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agreed to settle over 100 sexual abuse lawsuits filed in California, though the terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed. Legal observers noted the settlement as a significant development in LDS-related abuse litigation.
These cases join a growing body of litigation that has exposed systemic failures in how the LDS Church responds to internal abuse complaints -- and how it has historically prioritized institutional confidentiality over survivor protection.
How the LDS Church's Structure Creates Institutional Liability
The LDS Church operates through a hierarchical structure that differs meaningfully from both the Catholic Church and decentralized Protestant denominations. Understanding this structure is essential to understanding who can be held legally accountable.
Key elements of the LDS Church's institutional structure include:
Lay clergy: Unlike many denominations, LDS Church leaders -- including bishops, who serve as the primary pastoral figures in local congregations -- are unpaid laypeople. However, they are officially called and sustained by the institutional church, creating a formal employment or agency relationship that can give rise to institutional liability.
The Helpline system: The LDS Church operates a confidential legal hotline that local bishops are instructed to call when abuse disclosures are made. This hotline is operated by the Church's attorneys. Critics and plaintiffs argue that this system was designed to protect the Church from legal exposure rather than to report abuse to authorities or protect victims.
Mandatory reporting: The LDS Church's hotline system has been at the center of debate about whether the Church complies with mandatory reporting laws. Several states have found that the Church's practices may have suppressed legally required reports to law enforcement.
Regional oversight: Bishops report to stake presidents, who report up through the institutional hierarchy. Evidence that higher-level officials knew of abuse and failed to act can significantly expand the scope of institutional liability.
Types of LDS Abuse Cases
Abuse within LDS Church settings takes various forms, including:
Bishop or branch president abuse: The bishop occupies a unique position of spiritual authority and often hears private confessions ("worthiness interviews") from congregants, including minors. Abuse occurring in this context is a serious breach of pastoral duty.
Youth program abuse: The LDS Church operates extensive youth programs including Young Men, Young Women, and seminary classes. Abuse by leaders within these programs can give rise to institutional liability if the Church failed to screen, supervise, or respond appropriately.
Mission abuse: Young missionaries, typically 18-25 years old, serve under close supervision of mission presidents. Mission presidents are full-time employees of the LDS Church, creating a direct employment relationship that can support institutional liability claims.
Temple-related abuse: Accounts of abuse or boundary violations related to temple ceremonies and "worthiness interviews" have been the subject of both public controversy and litigation.
The Confidentiality Defense and How Courts Are Responding
The LDS Church has frequently invoked clergy-penitent privilege to withhold information about abuse disclosures from courts and investigators. This privilege protects confidential communications made to clergy in their religious capacity -- but its scope is being tested in courts across the country.
Several courts have found that the privilege does not apply when the abuse itself occurred during a communication, or when the communication involved third parties. In states with broad mandatory reporting requirements, courts have also questioned whether invoking privilege to avoid reporting child abuse to authorities is consistent with public policy.
Legal developments in this area are moving quickly. Survivors should not assume that the Church's confidentiality claims will necessarily protect abusers or shield institutional wrongdoing from scrutiny.
Statute of Limitations Considerations
The statute of limitations for LDS abuse claims -- like all clergy abuse claims -- varies by state. In recent years, many states have extended or revived time limits for institutional sexual abuse claims, and some states allow survivors to file until they reach their mid-30s or 40s.
California, which has been the site of significant LDS litigation, has particularly expansive survivor rights under its current statute of limitations framework. Even if you believe your claim may be time-barred, speaking with an attorney is essential before drawing that conclusion.
What Compensation Can Survivors Recover?
LDS Church abuse lawsuits, like other clergy abuse cases, can seek compensation for:
- Emotional distress, depression, PTSD, and anxiety
- Therapy, counseling, and mental health treatment costs
- Harm to relationships, faith, and community belonging
- Lost income or career impacts
- Medical expenses related to the trauma
- Punitive damages where institutional conduct was especially reckless
Speaking With an Attorney
The LDS abuse litigation landscape is developing rapidly. The legal theories, institutional structure, and state-by-state procedural rules involved require an attorney with specific experience in clergy and institutional abuse cases.
At Clergy Abuse Attorneys, we handle LDS and Mormon Church abuse cases on a contingency fee basis -- meaning there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation. Consultations are free and completely confidential.
You deserve to be heard. Let us help you find out whether the law can offer you justice.
Clergy Abuse Attorneys handles LDS and Mormon Church abuse cases across the United States. Contact us for a free, confidential case review. You pay nothing unless we win.