"That is the choice that this council comes down to: Protect the leaders or protect the children." Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for the Mormon church, declined comment on Young's case. Mormon leaders have defended the youth interviews as an important way for bishops to get to know youth better and determine their religious habits and obedience to God. If ousted, Young would become the third high-profile Mormon who led protests about church policy to be excommunicated in recent years. The youth interviews usually happen twice a year starting at 12.

Source: Fox News September 10, 2018 20:37 UTC