Video of accusations at a fast and testimony meeting sparks response

ARIZONA — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is responding to a video posted on YouTube that shows a woman trying to confront the man who she claims sexually abused her in The Church’s Missionary Training Center 34 years ago.

The unlisted video on YouTube has over nine thousand views, and it shows McKenna Denson and YouTuber Mike Norton saying they were bored and decided to attend a fast and testimony meeting.

“Want to do something fun?” Norton asked.  Denson answers, “Well, it is Fast Sunday.”

Later, the video shows the pair singing “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” as they approach what they say is an undisclosed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Arizona.

“Which church is this?” Norton asks Denson.

She responds with, “It’s Joseph Bishop’s ward!”

The video then shows Denson, at the pulpit during the fast and testimony meeting, telling ward members that there was, in her words, a sexual predator in the congregation.  Ward leaders then asked her to leave.

“If you’re not aware of this,” she starts, then turns to the ward member asking her to stop. “Thank you.  I’ll be done in a minute.”

She continues, “Call the police.  Don’t touch me.  You’re assaulting me,” she said.

Church Spokesperson Eric Hawkins issued a statement saying, “Once each month, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints participate in a worship service that includes an opportunity for members to share their testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His gospel.  It is disappointing that anyone would interrupt such a worship service to bring attention to their own personal cause.  Recording and posting of these disruptions on social media to seek public attention and media coverage, sadly, shows an unfortunate lack of respect for others.  We respectfully request that those with personal grievances find other means to communicate their messages than disrupting the sanctity of a worship service.”