SECOND SET OF EYES

Mormon Church to Allow Witness to Be Present After ‘Bishop’s Interview’ Concerns

After reports of sexual misconduct, inappropriate questions by church elders.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has changed its rules to allow “bishop’s interview” subjects to request the presence of an adult witness to sit in on the one-on-one meetings. This move follows reports that Mormon officials probed into the sexual experiences of interviewees and after a former mission leader admitted to sexual misconduct at a church facility. “If the person being interviewed desires, another adult may be invited to participate in the interview,” The Salt Lake Tribune reports the rule reads. Critics say the rule does not go far enough, by not requiring two adults be present during interviews and gives bishops leeway to not invite an additional adult at all.