[–] notdivided 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
The temple videos are incredibly important to the mormon church and it's membership. As an executive producer to the mormon church Van Wagenen's "status" is outstandingly important compared to regional leadership (called Seventies) that are considered "high ranking." The endowment ceremony is a secret ritual that all adult mormons in good standing in the church participate in, part of the ceremony is viewing this video. Van Wagenen produced multple temple vidoes that are shown in all of the 100 plus temples around the world. He also served on panels for the national endowment for the humanities and national endowment for the arts. He also continued to work at BYU after the church was aware of his pedophilia.
Van Wagenen's son has been head of another church media arm- Excel Entertainment part of Deseret Books. Their family influence on mormon media is extensive. They are considered authorities in the subject as you can see in this mormon matters podcast where they outline and discuss the mormon film entities: http://archive.is/Pli4v
more archived bio with people he knows/worked with: http://archive.is/hSQi1
Yes this church has extensive history covering up abuse: https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/search?q=sex%20abuse&restrict_sr=1
There is a ton to be gleaned from r/exmormon posts about this leak: https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/search?q=van%20wagenen&restrict_sr=1
taped confession audio: https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/an2l5v/mormonleaks_releases_audio_of_sterling_van/
I'm not sure what all has been posted in the past about mormon sex abuse coverups. If you feel like going down the rabbit hole Joseph Bishop was also caught on tape confessing to raping female missionaries while he was the president of the missionary training center. The church also covered up these allegations and despite a public uproar he is still a member in good standing as far as I have seen.
It's important to understand in mormon ritual called the second anointing that makes you essentially untouchable on earth, forgiven of all your prior and future sins. Its a tongue in cheek joke that this position might encourage leaders to become rapists, but it might not be far off base. I haven't heard rumors of this on Van Wagenen yet but I also wouldn't be surprised considering his station.
7th generation mormon here.
[–] Angelis_Solaris 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Also, note the paragraph in the report: "Update February 4, 2019 7:55 am: The TTF apologizes for any implication that Van Wagenen’s sexual orientation is tied to this abusive act. That was not the intent and the sentence has been clarified." I am disappointed to see companies continually bend over backwards for the SJWs.
And note this: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/01/02/lds-church-releases/ The article linked to doctrinal changes in the Temple Ceremony (a central and sacredly-held part of church doctrine) that pander to feminism and equity-based thinking. This, to me, is alarming behavior by a church that claims to not "go with the flow."
[–] Vindicator [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Yeah. There are some things I admire about Mormons, like their emphasis on self-reliance/preparedness and their value of family, but I have a hard time understanding how people can believe some of the stuff they teach. Given the amount of power and wealth they have amassed, though, I doubt they've escaped the infiltration with corrupt players that has plagued all the other big powerful faith organizations. I think there has been a deliberate plan to compromise these organizations since probably the very early 20th century.