The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints more popularly known LDS Church is a nontrinitarian restorationist Christian denomination founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.
However, since its inception, LDS Church has been facing criticism over a wide range of issues from the Church’s leaders. Their political teachings and social commentaries have been receiving severe backlash because of which there is a growing dissent and opposition against the members of the LDS Church.
Even the early history suggests that, it had dealt with legal challenges mainly because of their unconventional practices like the church’s practice of polygamy. Since then, LDS church lawsuit have had a lasting impact on the legal landscape. So, why are people filing these LDS lawsuits? The word has gained popularity and has been in the news for various reasons.
The conception of the LDS lawsuit
The LDS lawsuit is those civil lawsuits filed against the LDS Church by individuals who claim and allege against church members or leaders for misconduct/behavior or alleged financial misrepresentations. The purpose of LDS church lawsuits is to ensure accountability of the LDS Church members. Some of the most common reasons why LDS church lawsuits are filed are listed below:
- Accusations of child sexual abuse within the confinements of church
- Misappropriation of funds intended for charitable purposes
- Accusations on church leaders where they failed to report crimes
In addition, issues related to emotional abuse or manipulation of people can also be considered as a valid reason for filing LDS lawsuit.
Type of cases found under LDS lawsuit
It has been observed that most of these common cases among these LDS Lawsuits are those victims who allege sexual abuse done by members of the church. There are many examples on how LDS Church has failed in its duty to protect individuals, especially children, from abuse by its members. In the famous Arizona abuse case, the victims accused the church leaders for not acting upon and reporting to the concerned authorities and also for pressurizing the victims to remain silent.
Similarly, misappropriation of funds is the second most common reason for filing LDS Lawsuit. There are instances where whistleblower complaint was made against the LDS Church claiming that the Church misused billions of dollars meant for charitable causes. The reports revealed that the Church was hiding money in investment funds and not spending on what it was intended to. There are also reports in the media that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also fined the Church and its investment firm for financial irregularities and for not properly reporting investments.
Some LDS Lawsuits also involve claims of emotional abuse, especially among individuals who left the church. It is rather sad and unfortunate that the Church uses manipulation tactics which causes mental distress to people and isolate them from their families.
A wave of mass tort cases
With the advent of social media, many have started to voice out their opinions more openly. The digital mediums have truly become a blessing in disguise for the people who suffered trauma because of the church members.
Another important aspect to know regarding understanding legal actions against LDS church lawsuits is about mass tort cases. These are lawsuits where many plaintiffs file claims against one or more defendants due to similar problem from the same source which is the LDS Church.
In case of facing abuse, financial fraud, or emotional trauma connected to the LDS Church, it is always recommended for the victims to approach a legal firm experienced in dealing with mass tort cases. These days many law firms offer free initial consultations, and filing through mass torts can offer better chances of individual justice compared to any other approach.
The best part of mass tort cases is that it allows the victim to file case individually but it allows them to follow a combined legal process. The survivors get personalized compensation while going through a collective legal action. People who underwent physical or mental abuse, emotional trauma, financial fraud are increasingly joining mass tort filings to seek justice more effectively.
The LDS Church is also known for confidential settlements often with huge payouts as was seen in the California case. There are also instances where Out-of-court settlements have also taken place regarding these lawsuits.
The LDS church has also defended itself in these LDS lawsuits where legal organizations supported religious freedom in cases involving internal church matters.
However, things are getting better for the victims in terms of law and justice. When multiple LDS Church lawsuit cases arise, they can consolidate into Multi-district Litigation (MDL) to streamline pre trail proceedings effectively.
Also, recent legislative changes like the ‘Look- Back’ laws is helping many more survivors to come forward and file LDS church lawsuit. The law acknowledges and understands lasting impact of sexual abuse on an individual and gives more time to come to terms with their experiences and report the trauma.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the increasing number of LDS Church lawsuits reveal a fact that there is a global shift towards holding these powerful institutions accountable.
There are a lot of conversations and dialogue happening in the society on the need and importance of proper legal methods which brings justice for the victims. Therefore, it is also equally important for the survivors to understand their legal rights, look for credible sources and then make an informed decision.
