LDS Church Abuse Lawsuit: Where Cases Stand in 2026

Last updated: October 2026

LDS Church abuse lawsuits claim that leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints failed to protect children and, in some cases, kept reports of abuse from police. Since 2024, well over 100 such cases have been filed, many in California. As of October 2026, a federal panel has refused to combine the cases nationally, and reports say many California claims were resolved in a 2025 settlement whose terms are not public. Whether you are just starting to ask questions or are ready to talk, knowing how an LDS Church abuse lawsuit works can help you make choices at your own pace.

This article explains where the litigation stands, what the cases allege and what survivors may want to know. The claims described are allegations unless a court has ruled otherwise.

What the lawsuits allege

Most cases involve people who say they were abused as children by someone they met through the church. That can include local lay leaders, teachers, missionaries, other members or family members.

The lawsuits often claim that the church:

• Knew or should have known about a risk and did not act.
• Discouraged families from going to police or kept reports internal.
• Did not warn other families or remove the person from positions of trust.
• Relied on confidential clergy communications to avoid reporting.

The church denies these claims in many cases. It has said its first responsibility in abuse cases is to help those who have been abused and protect those who may be vulnerable, according to its 2010 handbook as quoted by the Associated Press.

The church’s abuse help line

Much of the public attention traces back to a 2022 Associated Press investigation. The AP reported that the church has run a confidential help line since 1995 for bishops and stake presidents who learn of abuse.

According to the AP, the line is operated through the church’s Office of Risk Management and staffed by attorneys who advise local leaders. The AP reported that, in some cases, abuse was not reported to law enforcement. The church has said the help line exists to help leaders protect victims and comply with the law.

The AP also reported on Arizona’s clergy-penitent exemption, which lets clergy withhold some information learned in spiritual confession. Several lawsuits focus on how that type of rule was used.

The California wave of lawsuits

Many LDS Church abuse lawsuits have been filed in California. That is because California’s AB 218 opened a three-year window, from 2020 to 2022, for older childhood sexual abuse claims, and the state has broad rules for claims against organizations.

In 2024, a large group of cases was filed across dozens of California counties. Some were coordinated in state court, while others moved to federal court.

In July 2025, the Daily Journal reported that the church had reached a “settlement in principle” in the spring of 2025 covering more than 100 California claims. Court filings then showed cases being paused or dismissed. The settlement amount has not been made public.

Why the cases were not combined into an MDL

In early 2025, plaintiffs asked the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to centralize federal cases in one court. On April 3, 2025, the panel denied the request for MDL No. 3150.

The panel said the 41 actions in nine federal districts were too different. They involved:

• Different accused individuals, from clergy to teachers to relatives.
• Survivors who were minors and some who were adults.
• Events spread over about 55 years, from 1968 to 2023.
• Church reporting policies that changed over time.

The panel also noted that one law firm represented most plaintiffs, so the cases could be coordinated informally. That means each case continues in its own court.

A 2026 appeals ruling on insurance

In July 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled in a dispute between the church and two insurance companies. The case involved whether insurers must help pay for a 2013 settlement of abuse claims in West Virginia.

The court found the policy wording about what counts as one “occurrence” was unclear. Under Utah law, unclear policy terms are read in favor of coverage, so the court reversed a ruling for the insurers and sent the case back. FOX 13 reported that the church declined to comment.

This ruling does not decide any survivor’s claim. But it may affect how future settlements are paid for.

Where LDS Church abuse lawsuits stand in 2026

As of October 2026:

• Many California claims appear to have been resolved through the 2025 settlement, with terms kept private.
• Other individual cases continue in state and federal courts around the country.
• There is no national MDL, so each case follows its own schedule.
• New claims depend heavily on state deadlines, which vary by state and claim type.

Survivors who were not part of earlier cases may still have options, depending on where and when the abuse happened.

What survivors may want to consider

If you are thinking about coming forward, it is normal to feel torn. Faith, family and community ties can make this decision feel heavy. There is no right timeline for healing.

Some things that may help you decide:

• **Your safety comes first.** If you are in danger now, contact local police or call 911.
• **You can talk to someone confidentially.** A survivor advocate or counselor can listen without judgment.
• **You can ask questions without committing.** A law firm review does not require you to file a lawsuit.
• **Reports to church leaders are not the same as reports to police.** If you want the abuse investigated as a crime, law enforcement or child protective services can take a report.
• **Your story matters, even if the person who harmed you has died** or left the church. Claims against an institution may still be possible.

Many survivors say that simply learning their options helped them feel more in control.

How an LDS Church Abuse Lawsuit Usually Moves Forward

Many survivors hold back because they do not know what happens after the first phone call. Knowing the general steps can make the process feel less unknown. Every case is different, but an LDS Church abuse lawsuit tends to follow a similar path.

Step 1: A confidential case review

The first step is usually a private conversation with a participating law firm. You share what you feel ready to share, such as where you lived, your age at the time and who was involved. You can stop or take a break at any point.

The firm may ask follow-up questions over more than one call. That is normal, and it does not mean anyone doubts you.

Step 2: A deadline check

Next, the firm looks at which state’s law applies and whether your claim may still be timely. Deadlines vary by state and claim type, and they can be very different for claims against an abuser and claims against an institution.

This step often decides what comes next. It is one reason many survivors ask for a review sooner rather than later.

Step 3: Filing the complaint

If you decide to move forward, the firm prepares a complaint. This is the court paper that starts an LDS Church abuse lawsuit. It names the defendants and explains what the survivor says happened and why the institution may be responsible.

In many courts, survivors can ask to file as “John Doe” or “Jane Doe.” A law firm can explain whether that option exists where your case would be filed.

Step 4: The response and early motions

The church and any other defendants then respond. They may deny the claims or ask the court to dismiss the case, for example by arguing that it was filed too late. Your law firm answers those arguments.

Step 5: Discovery

Discovery is the stage where both sides exchange information. That can include records, written questions and interviews under oath, called depositions. In an LDS Church abuse lawsuit, discovery may focus on what local leaders knew, what they were told and what they did next.

Step 6: Settlement talks or trial

Many civil cases end in a settlement, often after a meeting with a neutral helper called a mediator. Some go to trial. No one can promise how a case will end or how long it will take, and you decide whether to accept any offer.

How long the process may take

There is no set timeline. Some cases resolve within a year or two, while others take much longer, especially if there are appeals or disputes over deadlines. Court schedules, the number of defendants and insurance questions can all affect timing.

It may help to think of an LDS Church abuse lawsuit as a series of stages rather than one event. Between stages there can be long quiet periods. A law firm can tell you what to expect and when it may need something from you.

Records and Details That Can Help

You do not need a full file to ask questions. Still, writing down what you remember can make a first conversation easier. It can also help a law firm check deadlines and see who may be responsible.

Details about where and when

• The city, state and congregation name where you attended, such as the ward or branch.
• The years the abuse happened, even if you only know a rough range.
• Your age and grade in school at the time.
• Where the abuse took place, such as a church building, camp, home or youth activity.

Details about the people involved

• The name of the person who harmed you and their role, if any, such as a teacher, youth leader or family member.
• The names of bishops, stake presidents or other leaders at the time.
• Anyone you or your family told, and roughly when you told them.
• Anyone who saw warning signs or heard about other concerns.

Papers and messages

• Letters, emails, journals or texts that mention what happened.
• Police reports, child protective services reports or court papers, if any exist.
• Counseling or medical records that you are comfortable sharing.
• Photos or programs from church activities that help confirm dates.

Keep these in a safe place that only you can access. If you cannot find something, that is common. A participating law firm may be able to request some records later.

If a child is in danger now

A civil claim is not the same as a report to authorities. If you believe a child is being abused today, call 911 in an emergency. In Utah, you can also call the Utah Division of Child and Family Services 24/7 intake hotline at 1-855-323-3237. Other states have their own child abuse hotlines.

Talking With Family and Your Faith Community

For many survivors, the hardest part is not the legal process. It is deciding who to tell, and what to say, when family and faith are closely tied together. Thinking through an LDS Church abuse lawsuit can stir up feelings of loyalty, guilt or fear of being judged.

You decide who knows

You do not have to tell anyone in your family or congregation that you are asking questions. A case review is confidential. If you do want support, it may help to start with one trusted person rather than a large group.

Preparing for mixed reactions

Some loved ones may respond with care right away. Others may react with shock, doubt or a wish to protect the church or a family member. Their reaction is not a measure of whether your experience is real.

• Choose a calm time and a private place for the conversation.
• Decide ahead of time how much you want to share.
• It is okay to say, “I am not ready to answer that.”
• You can end the conversation and come back to it later.

Caring for your faith and your healing

Some survivors stay active in their faith. Others step away, and some are unsure. There is no single right path. A counselor who understands religious trauma may help you sort through these feelings without pressure in either direction.

If you are worried about church discipline, membership records or how others in your ward may treat you, you can raise those concerns with a law firm and a counselor. They can help you think about privacy and support as you decide.

If a loved one tells you about abuse

Sometimes the person reading this is a parent, spouse or sibling who just heard a disclosure. How you respond can make a real difference. Try to listen more than you speak, and avoid asking for every detail at once.

• Thank them for trusting you.
• Tell them clearly that it was not their fault.
• Ask what kind of support they want right now.
• Let them decide whether to report, seek counseling or talk to a law firm.

Your role is to support, not to investigate. If a child may still be at risk, contact the authorities.

Questions to Ask a Law Firm About an LDS Church Abuse Lawsuit

If you decide to speak with a participating law firm, it can help to bring a short list of questions. A firm may review your situation and explain how an LDS Church abuse lawsuit might apply to your facts.

• Which state’s deadlines apply to me, and is anything urgent?
• Would my claim be against the person who harmed me, the church, or both?
• Can I file under a pseudonym, and what parts of my story would become public?
• Has your firm handled claims involving faith communities or youth programs?
• What records would help, and can you request any of them for me?
• Will I need to give a deposition, and how would you help me prepare?
• How are fees and case costs handled, and can I see the agreement in writing?
• How often will I hear from you, and who do I call with questions?

Common worries survivors raise

Many people worry that too much time has passed, that the person who harmed them has died, or that they no longer belong to the church. As the article above explains, none of these automatically rules out a claim. Each situation depends on its own facts and on the law where the abuse happened.

Others worry about being pressured. Speaking with a firm does not commit you to anything. You can take time to think, talk with someone you trust and decide later. An LDS Church abuse lawsuit is one option among several, and support is available whatever you choose.

Frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

Coming forward about abuse in a faith community can be very hard, especially if you were told to keep it private. Direct2Attorney can connect you with a participating law firm that may review your situation confidentially and explain the deadlines that may apply to you.

Learn more on our LDS Church abuse lawsuit page. You decide if and when to take the next step.

For other institutional abuse claims, see our overview of sexual abuse lawsuits.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.