Kirton McConkie Building
50 E S Temple #400, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

The late Oscar W. McConkie Jr. was the chairman of the Kirton McConkie law firm. He and his family were in my Tempe, Arizona ward when he served as mission president around 1973. The McConkies were always very nice to me. They were like church celebrities but never arrogant. I am very saddened they became the Church’s version of the Mafia. How much money have they made from the Church by effectively protecting abusers? David, Claire, Pace, Roger, Ed, say it ain’t so!

Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen

By Common Consent Blog Kirton McConkie

Alma 10

[12] And now, when Amulek had spoken these words the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

[13] Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought to question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch them in their words, that they might find witness against them, that they might deliver them to their judges that they might be judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear or witness against them.

[14] Now it was those men who sought to destroy them, who were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer the law at their times of trials, or at the trials of the crimes of the people before the judges.

[15] Now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skilfull in their profession.

[16] And it came to pass that they began to question Amulek, that thereby they might make him cross his words, or contradict the words which he should speak.

[17] Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their designs. But it came to pass as they began to question him, he perceived their thoughts, and he said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundation of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God.

[18] Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous, and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people.

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Kirton & McConkie is known in the industry as “The God Squad” that advises and shields the LDS Church from legal liability. They have no obligation to help victims.

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How many tithing dollars were paid to David Jordan of Stoel Rives Law Firm for the McKenna Denson case?

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When leaders abdicate their moral agency to their lawyers, they forfeit their moral authority.

See also:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sexual Abuse

– Tom Irvine

From a Judeo-Chrisitian perspective…

1. Say that your are sorry
2. Make amends
3. Ask for forgiveness
4. Take steps to make sure it never happens again

Here is what institutions, high-profile politicians and celebrities actually do…

1. Lawyer-up
2. Shame the victim
3. Offer a cash settlement to “make it go away”
4. Require that the victim sign an NDA

I am very saddened that my church has chosen the second method to deal with those who have been abused by its leaders.

When leaders abdicate their moral agency to their lawyers, they greatly diminish their moral authority.

– Tom Irvine