Mormonish Podcast - Episode 115, Jan 10, 2024: The Ethical and Moral Dilemma of the Bishop's Mantle

TLDR; About two weeks a brother of a Mormon Bishop in Mississippi posted a short video about his brother's resignation speech. Rebecca and Brandon from the Mormon,ish youtube channel discuss the challenges a Mormon bishop faces, with therapist Natasha Helfer and former bishop Joel Huntington,

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eptPR4xtZgA

Episode 115, Jan 10, 2024: The Ethical and Moral Dilemma of the Bishop's Mantle

Premiered Jan 10, 2024

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Landon and Rebecca are joined by AASECT Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Natasha Helfer and former LDS bishop, Joel Huntington, to discuss the role of ecclesiastical leaders who are often forced to override their own moral and ethical compass to serve.

Viewed in the framework of a bishop who recently resigned his calling publicly in front of his congregation, stating, "There's just a few things that I've been required to do that I personally cannot morally stand by. I can't. So I need to step down," we felt there was a larger conversation to be had here.

Utilizing the Natasha's expertise, we delve into the harm of invasive sexual questions between a bishop and the youth, as well as adults. We discuss the complete lack of training a bishop receives that makes him totally unqualified to be counseling anyone on these sensitive and complex issues.

We also learn about Joel's time as a bishop and the moral dilemmas he faced before he ultimately asked to be released from his calling. His insights from this perspective are something we don't hear often enough.