[–] 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.
[–] Angelis_Solaris ago (edited ago)
I venture to estimate that pedophilia is far more common than society is willing to admit. I am still technically a member of this church but don't attend. But I don't highly suspect the church of a network of pedophilia and I don't agree that "church leaders and police conspired to keep this secret." I just read the article. I admit that it's not out of the realm of possibility. If you were a lay pastor who cared about his congregation you would also encourage the man to turn himself in, as would I. I would not immediately jump to the police in this specific case, because I do not believe that is what God would want me to do. God cares about pedophiles and wants them to heal, and such a minor pedophile as this should not, I repeat, should not be confused with a Satanist or even a child rapist. The temptation of pedophilia afflicts many more people than is obvious. This is no excuse for such a serious offense, and "minor" pedophiles should responsibly turn themselves in, should ask God what to do, should repent, etc. Those who are remorseful and repentant should be given help and kept away from children. Those who are not, and who actively engage in online pedophile conspiracies (there are many blatant pedophiles) should be reported and stopped. This man should have reported himself.
I am also surprised he was disfellowshipped and not excommunicated.
[–] shewhomustbeobeyed ago (edited ago)
truthandtransparency - https://archive.is/TeuTc
kutv - https://archive.is/WAVt5
eddit - https://archive.is/r6RxI - https://archive.is/dD5bD - https://archive.is/4Z31J - https://archive.is/wIIst
mormonartist - https://archive.is/Ax2aY
associationmormonletters - https://archive.is/Pli4v
mormonwiki - https://archive.is/hSQi1
[–] utez 4 points 0 points 4 points (+4|-4) ago
Mormon guy here, thanks for sharing. This is a sad story and I can't imagine the life of suffering that "David" has had to go through because of this perverted man. That being said, I don't think it is fair to assume that this is a high level coverup by the LDS church that exposes a systemic problem within the organization.
First, it's important to note the source of the information. This is from their "about us" page:
"The TTF was founded in November 2017 by two ex-Mormons, Ryan McKnight and Ethan Gregory Dodge. Prior to that, they worked together to launch the website MormonLeaks."
That isn't to say that what is being presented is not true...but I do think it's important to know as you read this that it's coming from a source that does not have good feelings towards the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Second, this man did not hold a "high office" in the church. Being hired to direct films for the church may give somebody a sense of pride, but it does not have any significance in regard to his church leadership role or authority.
Third, he did confess to the church and received a form of punishment. He also did self-report to local authorities but was ultimately not charged because the "David's" father did not want to press charges.
Finally, like so many of these cases, this happened over 25 years ago. The fact that "David" claims he was 10 while the official reports show he was 13 speaks enough about the potential problems with remembering details of something that happened so long ago.
This is not a defense of Van Wagenen. He should be disciplined by the church for his other extra-marital affairs and should be punished by law enforcement for any and all crimes he has committed.
The LDS church is a large organization with millions of members. Many of those members are bad people. I'm sure the church has been infiltrated by evil men and women (probably from 3 letter agencies) who try their best to tear it apart. Christ himself had his own group of apostles infiltrated. But there are also millions of members trying their best to follow Christ and serve their neighbor.
[–] notdivided 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Mormon Leaks is a very important whistleblower organization. Mormon apologists don't like them, but why would they? They continue to leak official documents that raise questions about the mormon church. Many of their leaks have made national news as valid information and in the public interest.
It's fair to say the church isn't involved in a cover up exactly in this instance but they have been outed in overt cover up several times. Criticizing these shortcomings isn't an attack on every individual church member, the unknowning members are victims and put in the way of real and lasting harm.
https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/9exa7i/mormonleaks_releases_kirton_mcconkie_doc/
If we have to discount mormon leaks because it is negative information published by exmormons we also have to discount your opinion as a mormon offering only positive bent to issues critical of mormonism. Not nice is it? Why don't we judge the information based on the merits, not veiled digs at personal bias.
[–] Vindicator [S, M] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
Yep, utez. Thanks for reminding us of all that. I did note the origin of the claim in the OP.
I get what you are saying about the guy not being of an official high rank in the Mormon hierarchy. I used the term because of his status as co-founder of Sundance and as a university faculty member, as well -- "high level" meaning well connected in Utah society as opposed to some nobody pedo living in his mother's basement.
[–] utez 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
Gotcha...in that regard I would agree with you that he is high rank. I imagine a lot of evil goes down during Sundance. Thanks for being willing to engage in conversation and for trying to spread the word about this evil that penetrates every nook and cranny of our society.
[–] WalnutSauceGoat 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
Thanks for posting. Btw, Robert Redford is related by marriage to Sterling Van Wagenen.
[–] Vindicator [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Really? That is interesting. Before I posted this, I did a SearchVoat and thought it odd we'd never had any mention of Van Wagenen in any previous post.
[–] 21yearsofdigging 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Redford,I heard from various unrelated sources, was a big procurer of call girls. That in it's self is not so bad but apparently he will go to extreme lengths to cover this up. His image is everything to him. I know, worked with him. I liked him fine but yes, his image is very important to him
[–] WalnutSauceGoat 2 points 0 points 2 points (+2|-2) ago (edited ago)
I, too, found it odd. I also searched my own (extensive) archives, and the only(!) hit I got was a quote in a book on my hard drive called The Solaris Effect (2006), by Steven Dillon. The quote is on page 53:
"Involved in the festival, almost from the beginning, was local resident Robert Redford, who had purchased land in the Wasatch Mountains as far back as 1969. Redford, related by marriage to Sterling Van Wagenen, the festival’s first director, was chairman of the board of directors and the key figure in eventually having his cultural-minded, multidisciplinary arts organization, the Sundance Institute, take on the festival in 1985, and eventually change the name in 1991."
But that's all I know.
[–] 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.
http://archive.is/Ax2aY
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.