Former Mormon Alleges Explicit Childhood Interviews Left Him Feeling Like 'One of the Worst People'

Former Mormon David Sheppard says explicit sexual questioning during private religious interviews as a child left him believing he was 'one of the worst people on planet Earth', according to a new LADbible documentary.

These one-to-one 'worthiness interviews', used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to assess members' adherence to teachings, were said to include questions about masturbation and pornography. Sheppard told film-makers the conversations, which can begin at the age of 12, made him feel deeply uncomfortable.

Mormon Worthiness Interviews Can Cover Faith

Church leaders, including bishops, carry out worthiness interviews before milestones such as baptism, receiving the priesthood, advancing through youth groups or serving missions. They are also part of obtaining a Temple Recommend.

Children as young as 12 can undergo the process. Questions may concern religious belief, compliance with church teachings, payment of tithing and observance of the laws of chastity.

Sheppard described a change in how he viewed himself during childhood. 'I went from being a very reasonably carefree child to thinking I was one of the worst people on planet Earth.'

Former Mormon Says Questions About Sexual Details

Who conducted the interview could make a difference, according to Sheppard. Some might ask little beyond the initial questions, he said, while others could seek details of physical contact.

'You might have a bishop that asks you barely anything on top of that, and you might have someone that's just like, "So what happened? Where did you touch them? Where did they touch you?"'

Sheppard called such interviews 'unsafe for everyone' and said discussions of sexual details with children carried a 'real risk' for those involved. LADbible said the church wanted to review the documentary in full before considering a response to the allegations.

Its British branch has introduced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for members working with children. Another former member, known as Nemo, believes his safeguarding campaigning helped contribute to that change.

Nemo Challenges Mormon Church's Reasons for Excommunication

The documentary also follows Nemo, who had built an online following discussing issues within the church and was excommunicated after media interviews.

His 'Honesty Box' episode appeared in August 2024, followed by a BBC interview. He says a letter arrived four days after the BBC interview, accusing him of 'clear and deliberate public opposition' and saying his actions would 'weaken the faith and activity' of the church.

At a September 2024 meeting, he claims, 90 minutes passed before he learnt he was being tried for apostasy. He was subsequently told he would be excommunicated.

Nemo suggested his media appearances may have been the 'final straw'. The church insisted its decision was not based on concerns he had raised about its leadership. It accused him instead of persuading others to oppose the institution and its leaders, an allegation he denies.

Nemo described the consequences in terms of his family, saying he 'wouldn't be with my wife in heaven' and 'would be separated from my family for eternity'.

He said the introduction of DBS checks was among the changes he was 'proudest' of. 'Robust, honest criticism of our own institutions is not only healthy, but necessary to ensure the survival of our church,' he said.