I Flirted With A Pedophile

Heavy topics make for long Blogs.

As an ex-mormon who was very active in the church you choose what you want to say on behalf of the Mormon church when you leave, people always have questions. Thus far have I remained what I consider fairly light hearted. Today I wish to break that barrier.

Buckle up.

So what have I personally witnessed the church do? Shame and hide. Things like "I'm not saying you're wrong, but if you had a testimony of Jesus Christ your actions would be different." Calling someones (lack of) faith into question because they weren't: modest, prayerful, serving in the church or tithing enough is a natural part of Mormon culture. "They don't know that they are sinning, if they did, they wouldn't do it. You merely need a stronger testimony" This is shame culture, and I use to participate in this. These are poor learned behaviors. It happens in restrictive cult life styles. I know these things to be true because I use to say and do those hateful things. While I am not a reflection of the church as a whole, these are my experiences and I'd hardly call them rare.

As my studying of the gospel grew deeper I learned to have some of my own definitions of gospel principles such as sin. Sin is anything displeasing to god. If it doesn't make him happy, you're sinning. Period. Knowing that god only wants good for you, and you fulfilling his commandment is what makes him happy. So now you just need to know which things are commandments, and which are just religious culture norms and/or hate, right?

A few photos from my past of different dances. One was a Youth Conference dance, 2 were Priest and Laurel Tri-stake Dance, the top was my senior homecoming. 2007-2010

Mormon's have their own idea what makes God happy. All christian denominations do. And yes Mormons are Christian. They believe in god the father, jesus christ, as the only savior of the world and man kind, and in the holy ghost. So distinguishing what a commandment is and how far to take it is where my separation from the Church began. You have the fundamentalists of religion who take the scripture word for word. And then you get those who use the teachings and written doctrines and apply it to their lives with modern day inspiration. Things like modesty, sex, drinking, life after death, etc. are all hot topics. We'll use modesty as an example. What is modesty? I use to say "it is my outward expression of my inner commitment to heavenly Father." So why do shorts to my knees make god happy, but shorts above them don't? After all, many other religions believe full body coverage is to be practiced- that it is glorified by god. Even committing to a life of complete abstinence as a nun is a higher calling. Are we suppose to be fruitful and multiple, or become Jesus's bride and never have physical intimacy. Do hemlines matter? What is the difference between ankles or booty cheeks? Where's the line of worthiness? Even though the Mormon church had direct instructions, there were always blurred lines. That's when I learned what was in my heart was far more important when it came to my relationship with god.

In the Mormon church, all sin was forgivable. Except after death, during judgment day, denying god as your creator. Which apparently is the one of few ways to go to "outer darkness". The place is said to be reserved for "sons of perdition." The only other place after death besides the 3 degrees of heaven. Mormon's do not believe in hell. Ultimately Mormons believe pretty much everyone goes to heaven! Which makes the Mormon church a perfect place to act, err...I mean counsel, in their own accord for "sin"...

During one Institute class in 2013, as they were ending the class there was a discussion of keeping "recent stake issues" to the authorities. (A stake is a geographic region of about 5 congregations) And not to draw any more "negative" light to the Church or give anyone anymore reason to say something bad. (Institute is a class is for adults 18+, it's not held during Sunday, but during the week usually in the evenings discussing deep scripture doctrine.) This caught me off guard, I'd never heard someone give such a clear warning before, but be so brief on why. I had no idea what was going on. Why would someone say something bad about the church, why were authorities involved? I nudged my friend beside me and gave her a funny look. She whispered quickly "I'll tell you later..." as the instructor continued noticing some faces of uncertainty she said "If you don't know what I'm talking about, its best you don't...."

And that's when I knew something weird was going down. Something big. My friend told me in the parking lot about 20 mins later, out of ear shot after almost everyone had left. She's still on my Facebook, she might even read this post- but told me to look up newspaper articles as well. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was taking fire and being sued from perhaps protecting/covering up what 'Christopher Michael Jensen' had been doing. My local stake, 20 miles away. This was a man I knew growing up in the youth activities. He was 'charming', yet socially awkward. I have journal entries about him being flirty with me at church dances. And having a crush. A few of my fellow girl friends were make out buddies with him. (And for the life of me I couldn't find that journal, it must be in my other storage unit. When I find it, I'll edit this blog and add the photo. I remember it was one of my last journal entries in that book, I know what page its on.)

I HAVE FOUND THAT JOURNAL! This entry happen before the previous story of his removal from dances. And it was in fact my last journal entry! July 27th, 2008 9:27am....

(edit made 1/18/2020)

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What was he accused of? Child sexual assault and molestation. He is a predictor.

What did I know about Michael Jensen? I knew that he went by his middle name. (I now, wonder if it's because he was a criminal prior to leaving Utah and moving to West Virginia?) I knew that he had many siblings. I knew his brother Blaine very well, even though we were 4 years in age apart. Blaine's and I were in the same pioneer trek family for four days of camping. I knew his dad was in the military, very strict and most likely the reason why their family moved east. I knew his mother was relief society president. I knew he was home schooled unlike his siblings. I knew he passed the ACT with flying colors at age 15/16. I knew he was 2 years older than me.

I remember a friend told me they were kissing and things got out of hand in the back of his families van. She's married now, with a child. Can you imagine now knowing you had kissed a pedophile? She may have been one of his victims honestly, a lot of his actions were not consensual; not all names were used in the court documents.

What I didn't know was the horrible things he had been doing to children, especially when he was alone babysitting them. Rumors of "playing hide N' go seek" only to keep the kids hiding in cupboards and force them to perform oral sex when he found them, one at a time....Apparently these weren't far fetch rumors.

Here are the facts: Things are hyper linked to take you to different news reports of this situation. Click and read if you like, there is so much. Or stick to the PDF Court Files linked and the YouTube video of the victims' parents at the bottom.

"The Jensen family moved to Martinsburg in the summer of 2005." I was 12. This was the year I met the girl below.

" In 2007, Jensen was accused of fondling a 14-year-old girl outside of a movie theater in Martinsburg. According to court records, Jensen’s mother allegedly knew about the theater incident and asked the girl if she was OK and if there was “a problem.” No criminal charges were filed. "

^I know this girl. I know her name, though it wasn't mentioned. She is my friend. she's married now, with children, her children know me. Her and I have talked about what happen and how she had to go to court and testify. She might even read this blog one day, too. Details of this incident are in the linked court files.

The Trial beginning

The Mothers of those two boys Testimony as Michael was convicted.

More Excerpts from the tagged articles above. ^

"I have my son's word against Michael Jensen's word," said Helen, "And not even my bishop, my Relief Society president, none of these people are supporting me. The only thing that I could think of for my son was I don't want to go to the police because I have to put him through this questioning."

"...they found evidence that the Church was aware of Michael's abusive behavior starting as early as 2004, before Michael moved to West Virginia, when Michael was arrested as a juvenile for allegedly groping two girls under the age of 14, and charged with two counts of felony sexual abuse."

"The next year, in 2010, according to Sandralee (Michael's mother) and her husband's testimony, Michael was kicked out of his home by his parents after his 12-year-old sister accused him of lying on top of her and kissing her. Court testimony by Sandralee and bishops called to testify in the trial reflects that at least three bishops became aware at some point that Michael was not living at home, although they deny knowing why."

"During the fall of 2007, the plaintiffs allege that Church leaders discussed Jane and John Doe-1’s marital difficulties and that Sandralee Jensen, as Relief Society President, offered Michael as a babysitter if the Doe-1 parents needed some time alone. Mrs. Jensen testified that she did not disclose Michael’s sex offenses in Utah or the injury he had inflicted on P.C. to Jane Doe-1. The plaintiffs allege Mrs. Jensen also failed to mention that Michael was no longer allowed to babysit his siblings, Michael’s assault of J.M. [my friend], or her conclusion that he should not babysit unsupervised. Jane Doe-1 accepted Mrs. Jensen’s offer of child care, and Michael babysat J.T., then aged three, and W.T., then aged four. These children would later disclose to their parents that the evening Michael babysat them, he blindfolded them, put ketchup on his penis, and forced them to perform oral sex on him."

Ask a Mormon, all their gyms look like this. I know, how original.

I was not aware of all these things. What I was aware of was every time he showed up to a church function/dance, everyone spread rumors. (or so I thought they were rumors) Something wasn't right. He wasn't right. I recall a dances where he got inside the church gym but not through the front door. (That's where mormon's hold church dances.) Apparently he had keys to the church for a short time of his homelessness when his family kicked him out, to have a place to sleep at night. At night are when these church dances were held. And in 2010, which was my senior year of high school, I was 17. I saw him. Everyone said "he's not allowed here anymore." I didn't understand why. The rule was that graduated high students 18+ no longer attend youth functions. But he was home schooled and graduated super early years ago and at 19, was putting in his papers for his mission, and had been taking college classes since 16/17, so the line of when to stop coming became... blurred. The chaperones escorted him out. My teen age memories all come with intense emotion. And the thoughts of Michael always left an odd impression.

Michael Jensen was excommunicated from the Mormon Church in August 2013.

He is now serving 35-75 years in State prison. The families had a settlement agreement with the church. Of course that amount has not been disclosed, but I'm curious what the church finds an acceptable amount for ruining the dozens of families lives that he babysat for?

Full Court Hearing Documents-

https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MORMAN-CASE.pdf

I grew up on the principle of "CTR", an acronym for Choose The Right; a Mormon culture phrase. It's most often on jewelry, like necklaces and rings, given to the primary children ages 4-11 to wear as a reminder to always choose the right even when it is hard. So was the church and people I knew in my stake and ward congregations withholding criminal information that could save others from Michael's abuse? The things that I found suggest it did. How I grew up and my memories of his family also point to yes. The "power of discernment" allows bishops to know when members during worthiness interviews are telling the truth. Apparently multiple bishops testified that they felt that Michael was a good person. But the church teaches that almost all people go to heaven, aren't "most" people good than? Just depends on "how" good you are. Molesting children isn't the "best", but hey... that bishop believed it didn't happen- so it must be true. Except it wasn't. He was wrong. And I hope Michael never leaves prison. Some things aren't just sins... they are crimes. And crimes are punishable here on earth, right now. Not just when someone dies!

The Mormon church took a heavy blow of negative media, like that woman said in my institute class, and they wanted to keep it quiet. I wonder how many mothers are in denial this happen? How many believe that prayer and repentance will heal their children because that's what church leader advocate for? How insulting is it to be accused of knowingly harboring a repeat child sex offender, and inviting him to babysit the wards children.

I knew this guy. We were practically the same age. Growing up attending the same church activities. My girl friends were hurt by him. He wrecked dozens of peoples lives. And I believe more could have been done to prevent his actions from the church leadership, *ahem* his parents, like actually calling the police. All this from the local church I use to call home.