Heaven's Helpline

Heaven's Helpline begins on October 17th wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When journalist Murray Jones investigates the vast wealth of the Mormon church in New Zealand, an intriguing Facebook post alerts him to a scandal that’s much bigger, and much, much darker.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do Mormons actually believe? And how did this mega-wealthy American church gain such a foothold in New Zealand? (Please note: this is an optional episode for history lovers, so you can safely skip it without losing the thread.)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fanatical “priesthood holder” pressures young Mormon Caroline into marriage and motherhood. When the relationship descends into extreme abuse, Caroline is rescued by a church leader, but others up the ranks are not so supportive. Whose side are they really on?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray hears tale after tale of abuse within Mormon congregations and at the centre of every story, there’s a “bishop”. Who are these men? Why are they so involved in members’ lives? And do their actions help the church keep crimes secret? Family violence: If you’re in danger now phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you. Where to go for help or more information: Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz\ Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584 It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz Sexual assault support services:If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: Call 0800 044 334Text 4334Email support@safetotalk.nzFor more information visit safetotalk.nz If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: This episode contains content related to child sex abuse. Listen with care.  The seizure of a video from a New Zealand paedophile sparks a dizzying chain of events in faraway Arizona: an arrest, a suicide – and revelations that a serial child rapist had confessed to his Mormon bishop, and the church had used its “Abuse Helpline” to cover it up. Family violence: If you’re in danger now phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you. Where to go for help or more information: Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584 It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray calls New Zealand’s Mormon Abuse Helpline – and guess who picks up? He then heads to Northland to meet a Mormon couple who made a very different kind of call. They blew the whistle on a prolific sex abuser in their midst – only to find that others in their congregation would prefer to keep on protecting him.  Sexual assault support services:If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: Call 0800 044 334Text 4334Email support@safetotalk.nzFor more information visit safetotalk.nz If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can the Mormon church be reformed? Murray meets campaigners inside and outside of the church who are pushing to change the way it handles sexual abusers. He asks: should the law be changed in New Zealand to force the church to do the right thing?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.