The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members are striving to prevent abuse in our families, our congregations, and in our communities. The Church is committed to preventing, reporting, and responding to abuse, and to continually improving the ways this is done.
The Church recently responded to the Commissioner's Final Report of the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry on Abuse in Care (2024). The full response follows:
Public Response to the Commissioner’s Final Report of the
New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry on Abuse in Care (2024)
by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
February 2025
“He aha te mea nui o tea ao? He tāngata. He tāngata. He tāngata.
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people. It is people. It is people.”
BACKGROUND
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church) is a world-wide community of followers of Jesus Christ who gather regularly to worship God and participate in the sacred sacraments and ordinances of their faith and strive to follow the example of the Saviour Jesus Christ in their personal and family lives. Members also strive to care for and minister to one another and those in need around them; and they invite others to join them in these efforts. Latter-day Saints also work to unite families for eternity.
2. Church members are invited to serve in their congregations in various lay positions for indeterminate periods of time (from months to a few years in each position) based on the needs of their local congregation, and their capacity and willingness to volunteer. All are asked to review the Church’s General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Handbook) as part of their orientation and training for each lay position. According to Chapter 1 of the Handbook, this service is to be based on “principles of Christlike service.” Members are instructed that they “will be most effective when [they] align their service in the Church with the work of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.” All are invited to gain a vision of 1) God’s plan of happiness, 2) God’s work of salvation and exaltation and 3) the purpose of the Church. God’s plan of happiness is to enable all to enjoy His blessings. His work and glory are to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39) and He invites all members of the Church to come unto Christ and participate in His work of salvation and exaltation by:
- Living the gospel of Jesus Christ
- Caring for those in need
- Inviting all to receive the gospel and
- Uniting families for eternity.
3. The Church has been present in Aotearoa New Zealand since 1854. Having been legally organized under the laws of New Zealand in 1921 by a "memorial executed pursuant to the provisions of the Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trusts Act 1908", The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Trust Board was subsequently formally recognized at law by enactment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Trust Board Empowering Act 1957, a private Act passed by the New Zealand Parliament.
CHURCH’S POSITION ON ABUSE
4. The Church’s position on abuse was recently reaffirmed as follows in the Church’s world-wide General Conference in October 2022 by the current global president of the Church Russell M. Nelson, who is revered by members of the Church as a prophet, seer and revelator of Jesus Christ:
“Abuse constitutes the influence of the adversary [i.e., Satan]. It is a grievous sin.3 As President of the Church, I affirm the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ on this issue. Let me be perfectly clear: any kind of abuse of women, children, or anyone is an abomination to the Lord. He grieves and I grieve whenever anyone is harmed. He mourns and we all mourn for each person who has fallen victim to abuse of any kind. Those who perpetrate these hideous acts are not only accountable to the laws of man but will also face the wrath of Almighty God.
“For decades now, the Church has taken extensive measures to protect—in particular—children from abuse. There are many aids on the Church website. I invite you to study them.4 These guidelines are in place to protect the innocent. I urge each of us to be alert to anyone who might be in danger of being abused and to act promptly to protect them. The Savior will not tolerate abuse, and as His disciples, neither can we.” Nelson, What is True? General Conference October 2022
CHURCH’S APOLOGY TO SURVIVORS OF ABUSE
5. Tragically, some instances of abuse brought to the attention of local lay Church leaders were not appropriately handled. These missteps resulted in pain, heartache, confusion, and fear for the survivors. Some survivors were not properly assisted or supported, and some offenders were not held to account for their egregious misconduct. For this, the Church sincerely apologises to those survivors and their families and to anyone else who has been harmed by such mistakes. The Church is always looking for ways to do better.
6. The Church assures all abuse survivors, and their families and loved ones, that the Church is striving to prevent abuse, and, when it does occur, to respond to it appropriately. As described herein, the Church has committed substantial resources to this effort and has developed training for Church members and leaders designed to prevent, detect and report abuse, and provide support to survivors, their families, and the local lay leaders of the Church who serve them. The Church remains perpetually committed to evaluating and implementing strategies and procedures to protect the most vulnerable in our congregations and communities.
CHURCH’S PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE COMMISSIONER’S FINAL REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO ABUSE IN CARE (2024) (Report)
7. The Church welcomes the Report of the Royal Commission. We believe that the Church’s policies and procedures are aligned with the Report. The Church does not own or operate any institutions or facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand that house children or youth. Pastoral care provided to children and youth by members and leaders of the Church is limited to gospel instruction, periodic group activities, and fellowshipping. The Church has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are consistent with the principles of children and youth safeguarding. Over time, those policies and procedures have been refined and strengthened, and the Church is committed to continue developing tools to safeguard children and youth in pastoral care.
8. The Church, together with the community at large, is saddened by reports of abuse of children and youth in pastoral care. The Church has implemented over decades a number of important tools for safeguarding, reporting and addressing instances of abuse. As a faith community with lay spiritual leaders, the Church recognizes the importance of regular training of adults who work with children and youth as part of instruction, activities and fellowshipping.
9. Recommendation 131 of the Royal Commission Report requests faith-based institutions, like the Church, to “issue formal public responses” to the recommendations in the Report. The Church does not engage in many of the activities upon which the Royal Commission’s recommendations are based. Accordingly, the Church responds to the Report’s recommendations by commenting on the Report’s seven thematic categories, which are as follows:
-
- Safeguarding Processes
- Complaint Processes
- Disciplinary Processes
- Redress
- Records
- Honorifics; and
- Ongoing implementation and monitoring
Certain responses below refer to the Church’s publicly available Handbook, which includes training, policies, and procedures for serving and administering in the Church. NOTE: Quotes from the Handbook include references to “bishops” and “stake presidents.” These terms refer to the local lay spiritual leader of a local congregation (called a “ward”) and a local group of congregations (called a “stake”) respectively. See Handbook Sections 7.1 and 6.2.
Safeguarding Processes
10. The Church’s doctrinal position on abuse is unequivocal: abuse in any form is an abomination to God. Before anyone is asked to work with children or youth in a Church program, that person is interviewed by either their bishop or one of his counselors, all of whom also live and work in the same ward (geographic area) as the member. If the person accepts the assignment, the entire congregation is asked for a sustaining vote. Anyone with concerns is invited and encouraged to oppose the assignment and speak with their bishop about their opposition.
11. The Church teaches members and leaders that abuse cannot be tolerated. When a Church member is assigned to work with children or youth, the Church requires that member or leader to review the online Church-provided training materials designed to help them recognize, prevent, respond to, and report abuse (see below). Members and leaders must re-certify on this training regularly. The Church provides reports that track whether the assigned leaders are current in their online training requirements and bishops are notified if members of their congregation are not current on their training. Those who fail to remain current on their training are eventually removed from assignments working with children and youth.
12. The Church maintains a membership record for every Church member. That record follows them when they move from one congregation to another. The Church’s policy is to place an “annotation” on the record of any Church member with a known history of abuse or neglect. Persons with such an annotation are not to be assigned to work with children or youth in the Church.
13. Church policy requires the presence of at least two adults at any Church-sponsored activity for children or youth. This is designed to prevent one-on-one contact between an adult and a child (other than a parent with one of their children).
14. As part of the preventative approach to safeguarding children and youth in the Church’s pastoral care, all Church members who serve in positions that require interaction with children and youth are instructed to read and follow the policies in the Church’s publicly available Handbook, which includes instructions on processes for safeguarding, complaints, disciplinary actions, redress, and records. The Handbook is updated periodically to reflect current best practices. The following is an excerpt from the Handbook:
15. Handbook Section 38.6.2
Abuse
“Abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of others in a way that causes physical, sexual, emotional, or financial harm. The Church’s position is that abuse cannot be tolerated in any form. Those who abuse their spouses, children, other family members, or anyone else violate the laws of God and man.
“All members, especially parents and leaders, are encouraged to be alert and diligent and do all they can to protect children and others against abuse. If members become aware of instances of abuse, they report it to civil authorities and counsel with the bishop. Church leaders should take reports of abuse seriously and never disregard them.
“All adults who work with children or youth are to complete children and youth protection training within one month of being sustained (see ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They are to repeat the training every three years.
“When abuse occurs, the first and immediate responsibility of Church leaders is to help those who have been abused and to protect vulnerable persons from future abuse. Leaders should not encourage a person to remain in a home or situation that is abusive or unsafe.”
Complaint Processes
16. Abuse is contrary to everything the Church teaches. When Church leaders learn about abuse, their first priority is to protect and support the survivor. As a doctrinal principle, the Church is committed to “obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” in each jurisdiction in which it operates. See Articles of Faith, 1:12. Church policy is to obey all reporting laws, no matter the circumstances. Church members are encouraged to report cases of abuse to the proper government authority. Where legally required, the Church makes its own report. Church leaders cooperate with authorities investigating and prosecuting abuse allegations.
17. To assist Church leaders in navigating the complexities of abuse situations, the Church operates 24-hour abuse help lines (see below). These help lines are staffed by professionals who provide legal advice and supportive counsel to the Church’s lay leaders. Whenever Church leaders are notified of or suspect abuse, they are instructed to call their local help line as soon as possible to promptly assist survivors with sensitivity and care and ensure compliance with all applicable reporting laws. The lay Church leader is then invited to implement measures to mitigate the risk of future abuse and safeguard other members of the congregation.
18. Handbook Section 38.6.2.1
Abuse Help Line
“In some countries, the Church has established a confidential abuse help line to assist stake presidents and bishops. These leaders should promptly call the help line about every situation in which a person may have been abused—or is at risk of being abused. They should also call it if they become aware of a member viewing, purchasing, or distributing child pornography.
“The help line is available for bishops and stake presidents to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact information is provided below.
. . .
“New Zealand: [local number redacted from this response]
. . .
“Bishops and stake presidents should call the help line when addressing situations involving any type of abuse. Legal and where necessary clinical professionals will answer their questions. These professionals will also give instructions about how to:
- Assist victims and help protect them from further abuse.
- Help protect potential victims.
- Comply with legal requirements for reporting abuse.
“The Church is committed to complying with the law in reporting abuse (see 38.6.2.7). Laws differ by location, and most Church leaders are not legal experts. Calling the help line is essential for bishops and stake presidents to fulfill their responsibilities to report abuse.
“A bishop should also notify his stake president of instances of abuse . . .”
19. Where conflicts of interest arise in the complaint process, Church members are encouraged to report their concerns to the next higher Church leader in their local ecclesiastical line. As noted above, Church leaders are encouraged to contact a help line. They receive unbiased counsel there to ensure every matter is handled in accordance with local laws and Church policies.
Throughout the complaint process, the wellbeing of the survivor is paramount. The Church takes a variety of protective measures to ensure the survivor is protected from the alleged offender while on Church property. The Church also endeavours to provide counseling resources to the survivor, and, where necessary and appropriate, temporal welfare resources. If Church-sponsored counseling is unavailable, the Church may work with a reputable mental health provider in the local community to ensure the survivor’s needs are promptly addressed.
20. Abuse survivors, their families and local Church leaders who need help or assistance are encouraged to reach out to their local bishop or stake president. The Church in New Zealand has also created a set of online resources at its Pacific.ChurchofJesusChrist.org website under the “Life Help Support” tab, to aid these people. If they are uncomfortable speaking to their bishop or stake president, they may call the Church’s Family Services counselors in New Zealand for help. They may also request a referral to speak with a local third-party service provider.
21. Handbook Section 38.6.2.2
Counseling in Cases of Abuse
“Victims of abuse often suffer serious trauma. Stake presidents and bishops respond with heartfelt compassion and empathy. They provide spiritual counseling and support to help victims overcome the destructive effects of abuse.
“Sometimes victims have feelings of shame or guilt. Victims are not guilty of sin. Leaders help them and their families understand God’s love and the healing that comes through Jesus Christ and His Atonement (see Alma 15:8; 3 Nephi 17:9 [in the Book of Mormon]).
“Stake presidents and bishops should help those who have committed abuse to repent and to cease their abusive behavior. If an adult has committed a sexual sin against a child, the behavior may be very difficult to change. The process of repentance may be very prolonged.
“Stake presidents and bishops should also be caring and sensitive when working with the families of victims and perpetrators of abuse.
“Guidance for counseling victims and offenders is provided at Abuse: How to Help. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/abuse-how-to-help?lang=eng
“In addition to receiving the inspired help of Church leaders, victims, offenders, and their families may need professional counseling. For information, see 31.3.6. [excerpted below]
“Handbook Section 31.3.6
Professional Counseling and Therapy
“Church leaders are not called to be professional counselors or to provide therapy. The assistance they give is spiritual, focusing on the strengthening, comforting, redeeming power of Jesus Christ. In addition to this important and inspired help, some members may benefit from professional counseling where it is available. Such counseling or therapy can help members understand and respond to life’s challenges in healthy ways.
“Meeting with a professional counselor to gain insight and skills for emotional well-being is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it can be a sign of humility and strength.
“Members should carefully select reputable professional counselors who have applicable licensing. Counselors should respect the agency, values, and beliefs of those seeking help. Incorporating these values is ethically appropriate in professional counseling.
. . .
“If members cannot pay for professional counseling on their own or through insurance, bishops may use fast offerings [Church funds] to assist (see 22.4).
“For information about what bishops and stake presidents should do when they learn of any type of abuse, see 38.6.2.1. For information about counseling in cases of sexual abuse, rape, or other forms of sexual assault, see 38.6.18.2.
“See also FamilyServices.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. [https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/lds-family-services?lang=eng]”
Disciplinary Processes
22. Generally, when a Church leader learns of an abuse complaint against another Church leader or member, the alleged offender is immediately removed from any assignments with children or youth. To avoid interfering with any law enforcement or government agency investigation, Church leaders do not proceed with formal ecclesiastical discipline until the conclusion of any such investigation. At the conclusion of any such investigation, and where deemed appropriate by local Church leaders, leaders conduct a “membership council” to consider whether ecclesiastical restrictions should be imposed on the alleged offender. This ecclesiastical membership council may result in restrictions on the offender’s privileges as a Church member (such as denial of Church sacraments), or withdrawal of the alleged offender’s Church membership entirely (excommunication). See Handbook Section 32 which sets forth guidance for Church leaders on the purposes of Church discipline, determining the setting for helping a person repent, administering membership councils, and determining if, when, and how a person may qualify to have their Church membership privileges restored through full repentance. In serious matters, such as instances of child abuse and neglect, sexual assault, or involvement in child pornography, membership councils are mandatory.
23. The Church membership records of those with a history of abuse or neglect are “annotated.” Annotated membership records are visible to Church leaders. Church leaders are directed not to place the annotated individual in certain leadership assignments or an assignment with children or youth. Technological safeguards are in place in Church systems used to manage volunteer and ministering assignments that will not permit a member with an annotated record to be placed in an assignment working with children or youth, or in certain leadership positions. Membership record annotations cannot be removed without the permission of the Church’s highest governing body, the First Presidency, and is rarely granted.
24. Those accused of abuse or convicted under the local legal system of abuse or neglect may also be required to adhere to certain protective measures before they are permitted to return to Church meetings, activities, or assignments.
25. Handbook Section 38.6.2.3
Child or Youth Abuse
“Abuse of a child or youth is an especially serious sin (see Luke 17:2). As used here, child or youth abuse includes the following:
- Physical abuse: Inflicting serious bodily harm by physical violence. Some harm may not be visible.
- Sexual abuse or exploitation: Having any sexual activity with a child or youth or intentionally allowing or helping others to have such activity. As used here, sexual abuse does not include consensual sexual activity between two minors who are close in age.
- Emotional abuse: Using actions and words to seriously damage a child or youth’s sense of self-respect or self-worth. This usually involves repeated and continuing insults, manipulations, and criticisms that humiliate and belittle. It may also include gross neglect.
- Child pornography: See 38.6.6
“If a bishop or stake president learns of or suspects child or youth abuse, he promptly follows the instructions [above]. He also takes action to help protect against further abuse.
“A Church membership council and record annotation are required if an adult member abuses a child or youth as described in this section. See also 32.6.1.1 and 38.6.2.5.”
Redress
26. In matters of abuse, the needs of the survivor come first. As outlined above, the Church is committed to extending counseling and temporal welfare resources to the survivor, whether or not the abuse has any connection to the Church.
Records
27. As noted earlier, where a member has engaged in abuse, neglect, or other serious misconduct, the membership record is to be annotated. That annotation cannot be removed without permission of the Church’s highest governing body.
28. Local Church leaders may also place a “move restriction” on a membership record. This restriction prevents a record from being transferred to a new congregation without the approval of the prior bishop. This facilitates communication between Church leaders before a record is transferred to another congregation during which important safety or other information may be shared.
Honorifics
29. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worships God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. All Church buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand bear only the name of Jesus Christ. The Report’s recommendations related to honorifics do not apply to the Church and its doctrine or policy.
Ongoing Implementation and Monitoring
30. The Church is committed to continually and consistently reviewing and revising its child and youth safeguarding and reporting policies to ensure the safety of children and youth. The Church is open to working with government agencies and local communities to protect the children, youth and others who are vulnerable among us. As policies are updated, changes may be reflected in the Church’s publicly available Handbook. They may also be reflected in many of the other abuse prevention and reporting resources offered by the Church, such as:
- a. Support materials focused on helping survivors, their families and Church leaders. Please see the Church’s website Life Help library at a tile called Abuse that can be found at this link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/life-help/abuse?lang=eng. Help is provided there under four topics: 1) In Crisis? Talk Now, 2) Help for Victims, 3) How to Help, and 4) Prevention and Protection. These resources are also publicly available in several languages, including Samoan and Tongan at the Life Help Support tab of the pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org website.
- b. Resources and information for parents and Church leaders, which can be used to teach children about 1) how to prevent and stay safe from abuse and 2) what to do if someone attempts to cross boundaries or abuse them. See https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/abuse-prevention-and-protection/talking-to-children-about-abuse?lang=eng. The Church also provides training materials on technology safety, recognizing patterns of behaviour that can lead to abuse—including grooming—and recognizing types of abuse. See https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/abuse-prevention-and-protection?lang=eng.
- c. The Church’s Newsroom website contains an article and accompanying infographic entitled “How the Church Approaches Abuse”. It reads, in part, “Protecting and caring for others was a priority for Jesus Christ in His life, and it is a priority in His Church today. The Savior warned His disciples: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (see Matthew 18:1–6). These are powerful words of condemnation from the Savior.” The referenced infographic detailing action items in three columns entitled “Prevent, Report and Respond” is viewable in that article.
- d. Training materials for all leaders and members who serve with children and youth on how to prevent abuse and respond to it can be found at the following link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/safety/protecting-children-and-youth?lang=eng&cid=rdb_v_protectingchildren
31. To repeat, the Church does not tolerate abuse in any form. The Church recognizes that best practices for safeguarding, reporting abuse, and supporting and protecting survivors change as more information becomes available. The Church will continue to adhere to and refine its processes, and, where appropriate, implement new processes, to protect the children and youth in its pastoral care. The Church remains open and willing to work with government and community partners to safeguard our children, youth and vulnerable members. As a church we are committed to following the urging of President Russell M. Nelson, who said in the Church’s global conference quoted above, “I urge each of us to be alert to anyone who might be in danger of being abused and to act promptly to protect them. The Savior [Jesus Christ] will not tolerate abuse, and as His disciples, neither can we.”