Will my parents be told???

[CoolKid98]

Im 14 and I viewed pornography and have taken precautions to prevent it from happening again. I now want to talk to my bishop but I don't want my parents to find out about the incident. I'm afraid it would hurt them. Would the bishop be required to tell them???

[pam]

Nope

[skippy740]

No, he is not required nor expected to tell your parents.

However, he may encourage you to talk with your parents about it.

[applepansy]

No, your Bishop won't tell, but he might counsel you to tell them.

Edited October 9, 2012 by applepansy
typo corrected

[JustSimplyMe]

Im 14 and I viewed pornography and have taken precautions to prevent it from happening again. I now want to talk to my bishop but I don't want my parents to find out about the incident. I'm afraid it would hurt them. Would the bishop be required to tell them???

No, it's confidential

[Irishcolleen]

I don't know if your Bishop would be required to tell your parents, however, you may want to tell them yourself. Your parents will be able to help you protect yourself from dangers online (I assume it was online).

They will be able to set up or find a good internet filter, there are even some programs which will allow an accountability partner to see which websites you are visiting. This isn't just to spy on you- it provides motivation to avoid sites you know don't glorify the Lord. Your mom or dad will be able to discuss healthy, spiritual, attitudes about sexuality and finding the right guy/girl. They can help you by screening dates. I mention these things because pornography can distort the way we view sexuality and relationships.

Enlist their help! They are with you everyday, so they will be able to help you everyday. God bless!

Edited October 9, 2012 by Irishcolleen

[Backroads]

Unless this is a much bigger story than what you've revealed, I highly doubt the bishop himself will get your parents involved--though as others have said he might encourage you to do so.

[RMGuy]

He is not required to tell them, nor would I assume that he would tell them or anyone else for that matter. But I would also NOT assume that he might tell someone.

As with anything else, if you don't want someone to know, don't tell anyone.

-RM

[Carl62]

He is not required to tell them, nor would I assume that he would tell them or anyone else for that matter. But I would also NOT assume that he might tell someone.

As with anything else, if you don't want someone to know, don't tell anyone.

-RM

I was thinking the same thing. What if the bishop says something to his wife or to somebody else? (and please don't say this doesn't happen because when I was on my mission, I actually heard a bishop discussing things at a dinner app. that pertained to people who came to see him that day). It's not the bishop that I would be worried about saying something, if you get my drift.

[Maya]

Hei kid you are cool

You are brave, not so many dare to do what you do, and then the bad feeling just gets worse and worse. It is smart to do something about it!

Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone are willing to pay the price of repention.

It is between you and bishop as long as you want it to be. (btw it may well be that your parents already know... you would nto believe how much the parents know adn how much time they spend on their knees that the child would repend... I know I am a parent... of soon 2 missionaries)

[Chrissy3818]

Im 14 and I viewed pornography and have taken precautions to prevent it from happening again. I now want to talk to my bishop but I don't want my parents to find out about the incident. I'm afraid it would hurt them. Would the bishop be required to tell them???

No in fact he's not allowed to without your permission. The only way he is allowed to tell someone is if you're harming yourself or others. (Going to kill yourself or you have the urge to kill or rape) lol sorry just trying to get my point across. Don't worry you're parents won't find out unless YOU tell them

[Vort]

No in fact he's not allowed to without your permission. The only way he is allowed to tell someone is if you're harming yourself or others. (Going to kill yourself or you have the urge to kill or rape) lol sorry just trying to get my point across. Don't worry you're parents won't find out unless YOU tell them

Several people have made this claim, that the bishop cannot (morally or legally) tell anyone. Does anyone know for sure whether this is true? I doubt it; I cannot imagine a bishop being legally or morally obligated to withhold information about a minor from the parents.

[RMGuy]

I would guess that legally it may depend upon the country or state. Morally, it is a good question. It the ethical responsibility to the confessor or the parents of the minor.

Perhaps the best indicator is past practice. I am sure that there are a number of bishops, probably the vast majority, that hold and keep confidences. There are also a number of examples in which that is not the case. There is no way to "KNOW" that the parents will not be told.

-RM

[idahommie]

Cool kid,

You sinned, you realized this, have made precautions so that it does not happen again. Was this a habit for a while? Or just a slip. Don't answer, the only one that needs to know is someone you tell. If just a slip, repent, go forth and sin no more, that is the plan! Pretty AWESOME path The Lord prepared for us, eh?

[Misshalfway]

If you were my son, I'd want you to feel like you could come to me about something like this. If you were my son, I'd want to help you learn not to be afraid to talk about sex, about pornography, and most of all about making mistakes.

I'm reminded of the garden of eden and how satan taught Adam and Eve to hide from Father in Heaven. I'm pretty sure satan's whole mission is to separate people from God and make them feel shameful about their mistakes and afraid to talk to their parent about the whole thing.

If you were my son, I'd help you with the shame. I'd also want to educate you about sex, or correct any misconceptions you may have learned through viewing the porn, and I'd especially want to teach you about the love of God and the power of the atonement. And maybe in the process you'd learn that I was a human being too and that maybe talking to me isn't so scary. Maybe we'd become better friends and maybe I'd learn lessons from you too.

I don't know what you should do because I don't know your situation or your parents. But this is what I thought of when you said you didn't want them to find out.

[funshyne328]

Don't be afraid that your parents will be hurt by what you've done. I had a similar problem when I was younger...I suffered from the burden of it for 5 years. It was awful. One day, my parents and I were arguing (about something totally unrelated) and it just came out. My mom's whole physique changed, but not to one of anger or hurt, to one of love. Heavenly Father selected your parents for you. They will love you and support you. I even mentioned to my parents that I was afraid they wouldn't love me as much....my mom assured me that no matter what, they are always there. And ya know what? She hasn't mentioned my mistake since. That's what parents are here for: support and guidance.

Best of luck! You will be SO happy when its done. I seriously felt as if my soul was singing! :)

[jayanna]

My bishop just let me know recently that a new question was added to interviews for limited use recommends that youth get to do baptisms. It is a question for the young priesthood, they are to be asked, "When was the last time you saw pornography?" Not if, but when.

This is a huge issue in the world today, thankfully, you do not have to bear this alone.

[simonesays]

Its between only between You, the Bishop, and the Lord. Good luck!