Bisbee, Arizona — Adams abuse case

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Question: Did the Church intentionally cover up the ongoing abuse of MJ Adams of Bisbee, Arizona?

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Introduction to Question

On August 4, 2022, investigative journalist Michael Rezendes published a story with the Associated Press covering a case of child sex abuse in Bisbee, Arizona involving a Latter-day Saint father and two of his female children.

The story became widely popular overnight. Discussion and debate about the article was widespread. There have been numerous questions that have arisen because of the case and specifically The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ role in the case. We will continue to construct this page over time as new questions arise that need addressing and as new information about this case comes to light. For now, this page contains a compilation of links to other resources that are tremendously helpful in gaining context and insight about the case.

Response to Question

Complilation of Resources (Organized by Date of Publication)

• C.D. Cunningham, “Are Publicized Abuse Cases Exceptional or Representative of Our Faith?” Public Square Magazine, August 4, 2022.
• “Church Offers Statement on Help Line and Abuse,” Church Newsroom, August 5, 2022.
• Kate Taylor Lauck, “Perspective: I survived abuse. I worked for the Church’s hotline. The AP story broke my heart,” Deseret News, August 6, 2022.
• "Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach," Leading Saints, August 6, 2022.
• “Failure to Report Sexual Abuse –– Bisbee, Arizona,” Mormonr, August 7, 2022.
• Benjamin Pacini, “On the Recent AP Report: Interview with Jennifer Roach,” YouTube, August 8, 2022.
• Jennifer Roach, "Reflections on Abuse, Reporting, and the Church," FAIR Blog, last updated August 9, 2022.
• "UPDATE: Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach," Leading Saints, August 10, 2022,
• Public Square Staff, “Abuse is Something We Should All Be Able to Fight Together,” Public Square Magazine, August 12, 2022.
• Meagan Kohler, “Some Thoughts on Helping Vulnerable Children,” Public Square Magazine, August 16, 2022.
• “Church Provides Further Details about the Arizona Abuse Case,” Church Newsroom, August 17, 2022.
• Tad Walch, "What the bishops knew: Church releases details, timeline about Arizona sex abuse case," Deseret News, August 17, 2022.
• Public Square Staff, “Associated Press, Make the Documents Public,” Public Square Magazine, August 19, 2022.
• Tad Walch, “Should a member of the clergy report sex abuse of the penitent? A look inside the priest-penitent privilege,” Deseret News, August 19, 2022.
• Jacob Z. Hess, “Ten Ways the AP Abuse Article Misrepresented the Evidence,” Public Square Magazine, August 22, 2022.
• Saints Unscripted, "Mormon child abuse article by the AP | with Jennifer Roach," YouTube, August 23, 2022.
• Benjamin Pacini, "On the Recent AP Report: Interview with CD Cunningham," YouTube, August 29, 2022.
• Diana L. Gourley, "One Overlooked Reason Sexual Abuse Continues," Public Square Magazine, August 31, 2022.
• Mical Raz, “Mandatory Reporting Isn’t the Solution,” Public Square Magazine, September 19, 2022.

Notes