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Active litigation category● MONITORING2 eventsInstitutional Abuse

LDS MTC

Institutional Abuse · claims tied to abuse allegations arising from LDS missionary training center settings

Defendant

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

MDL / Track

See litigation status

JPML (transfer denied)

Judge

Judge Karen K. Caldwell, Chair

Plaintiffs

MONITORING

Bellwether / Trial

No verdicts yet

Settlement Status

No settlements reported

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← Torts Case overview Litigation status Geographic exposure Key defendants Timeline Statute of limitations Live activity News PubMed Court filings Legislative

Case overview

The LDS Missionary Training Center sexual abuse litigation remains decentralized state-court litigation without an MDL. Plaintiffs allege systemic failures by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to prevent and report sexual abuse at its Provo, Utah MTC facility, including claims that church officials transferred accused perpetrators between congregations and invoked clergy-penitent privilege to shield reports from law enforcement. The litigation posture is evolving: a July 2025 Arizona Court of Appeals ruling limited clergy-penitent privilege applications when church policy itself mandates disclosure to prevent 'serious injury,' and the church reached a settlement in principle for 100+ California abuse cases as of April 2025.

Causation Theory

Plaintiffs' causation theory centers on institutional mechanisms that enabled abuse continuation: the church's 1995-established abuse help line, operated through defense firm Kirton McConkie, allegedly provided legal guidance prioritizing liability protection over mandatory reporting; internal church handbook provisions requiring bishops to call the help line rather than law enforcement; and a pattern of transferring accused individuals between congregations without disclosure. Associated Press investigations and internal audio recordings document church officials discussing how to keep abuse claims confidential. The Arizona Court of Appeals' July 2025 ruling cited the church's own handbook language—requiring disclosure when 'serious injury' is foreseeable—as undermining privilege claims.

Litigation status

  • LDS MTC abuse lawsuit
  • Missionary Training Center litigation
  • MTC abuse claims

Geographic exposure

As of July 2023, 11 MTCs operational worldwide including Provo, Utah; Brazil; England; Ghana; South Africa; Mexico; Philippines; Thailand; plus closed/former centers in Chile, Spain, Guatemala, Colombia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan. Missionaries serve in 150 countries teaching in 60 languages. Provo MTC alone accommodates 3,700 concurrent missionaries with 3-9 week residential training cycles.

  • Provo, Utah

    Provo Missionary Training Center — flagship facility with 3,700 capacity, 19 buildings on 39 acres at 2005 North 900 East. Site of 2013 norovirus outbreak affecting 250 missionaries. Primary training location for U.S.-based missionaries before foreign deployment; 55 languages taught.

  • Schenectady, New York

    Kitler v. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1:24-cv-01071 (N.D.N.Y. AMN/PJE) — plaintiffs allege sexual abuse by Ronald Boyce, a church member moved from Utah to Schenectady, occurring 2007-2015. Tolling agreement extended filing deadline to September 4, 2024. TVPRA and state law claims pending; motions to dismiss filed.

  • Tonga

    Federal indictment July 16, 2025 — William James Purdy charged with exploiting 14 boys in Nuku'alofa during 2017 LDS mission and subsequent teaching position 2019-2024. Church spokesperson acknowledged 'absolutely possible' abuse occurred during mission service. HSI and diplomatic security investigating.

  • Ghana

    Ghana Missionary Training Center — operational since 2002, one of two African MTCs. Rapid church growth prompted priority construction.

  • South Africa

    South Africa Missionary Training Center — operational since 2003. Second African MTC serving southern Africa region.

  • Brazil

    Brazil Missionary Training Center — one of nine international MTCs as of July 2023. Serves Latin American missionary training.

  • England

    Preston, England Missionary Training Center — former London MTC relocated to Preston temple site 1998. Original London buildings repurposed for other church uses.

  • Thailand

    Bangkok, Thailand Missionary Training Center — operational as of August 2024. Serves Southeast Asia missionary training.

Key defendants

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Role: Institutional Defendant

Named in 1:24-cv-01071 (N.D.N.Y., Judge Nardacci) for TVPRA and state-law claims arising from MTC sexual abuse. Filed motion to dismiss; aggressive defense on statute of limitations and ecclesiastical abstention grounds. Tolling agreement executed with plaintiffs suggests settlement exposure assessment underway.

Ronald Boyce

Role: Individual Perpetrator

Named individual defendant in 1:24-cv-01071; moved to dismiss as time-barred. Core liability target for direct abuse allegations; tolling agreement does not extend to him, suggesting potential uncovered exposure.

Rod Standage

Role: MTC Staff

Named in 1:24-cv-01071; individual liability theories include negligence and IIED for alleged failure to protect. No separate counsel noted; likely dependent on Church for defense costs.

Eric Selin

Role: MTC Staff

Named in 1:24-cv-01071; same litigation posture as Standage. Minimal individual docket activity suggests peripheral role in current motion practice.

Joshua Madsen

Role: MTC Staff

Named in 1:24-cv-01071; no independent motion activity. Exposure tied to negligence theories for supervision failures at MTC.

Robert Rubilar

Role: MTC Staff

Named in 1:24-cv-01071; joined in Church's defense strategy per joint appearance structure. No separate indemnity arrangement visible.

DefendantRoleIntelligence Note
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsInstitutional DefendantNamed in 1:24-cv-01071 (N.D.N.Y., Judge Nardacci) for TVPRA and state-law claims arising from MTC sexual abuse. Filed motion to dismiss; aggressive defense on statute of limitations and ecclesiastical abstention grounds. Tolling agreement executed with plaintiffs suggests settlement exposure assessment underway.
Ronald BoyceIndividual PerpetratorNamed individual defendant in 1:24-cv-01071; moved to dismiss as time-barred. Core liability target for direct abuse allegations; tolling agreement does not extend to him, suggesting potential uncovered exposure.
Rod StandageMTC StaffNamed in 1:24-cv-01071; individual liability theories include negligence and IIED for alleged failure to protect. No separate counsel noted; likely dependent on Church for defense costs.
Eric SelinMTC StaffNamed in 1:24-cv-01071; same litigation posture as Standage. Minimal individual docket activity suggests peripheral role in current motion practice.
Joshua MadsenMTC StaffNamed in 1:24-cv-01071; no independent motion activity. Exposure tied to negligence theories for supervision failures at MTC.
Robert RubilarMTC StaffNamed in 1:24-cv-01071; joined in Church's defense strategy per joint appearance structure. No separate indemnity arrangement visible.

Timeline

  1. 1984

    McKenna Denson Alleged MTC Assault

    McKenna Denson alleged that Joseph Bishop, then-president of the Provo MTC, sexually assaulted her in a basement room at the Missionary Training Center. Denson reported the incident to church officials multiple times over subsequent years with no action taken against Bishop.

  2. 2018

    Denson Files MTC Assault Lawsuit

    McKenna Denson filed lawsuit against Joseph Bishop and the LDS Church alleging 1984 sexual assault at Provo MTC and subsequent cover-up by church leaders. Bishop denied the rape allegation.

  3. 2013-03

    West Virginia Families File Abuse Suit

    Six West Virginia families filed lawsuit alleging LDS church leaders covered up child sexual abuse by Michael Jensen, including abuse occurring after Jensen was sent home from an Arizona mission. Case settled 2018 for $32 million with $27 million in defense costs.

  4. 2018-03

    LDS Church Settles Jensen Abuse Case

    LDS Church settled West Virginia abuse litigation for $32 million after five-year defense. Church subsequently sued insurers ACE and others for coverage denial, seeking approximately $90 million total reimbursement.

  5. 2024-09

    Kitler Plaintiffs File TVPRA Suit

    Plaintiffs Alan Kitler, Michael Kitler, and Kresten Ballantyne filed suit in N.D.N.Y. (Case 1:24-cv-01071-AMN-PJE) against LDS Church and individual defendants alleging sexual abuse by Ronald Boyce under Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and state law claims. Parties had executed tolling agreement extending filing deadline to September 4, 2024.

  6. 2025-08-04

    N.D.N.Y. Rules on Motions to Dismiss

    Judge Anne M. Nardacci granted in part and denied in part motions to dismiss in Kitler v. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, No. 1:24-cv-01071-AMN-PJE. Court rejected statute of limitations arguments regarding TVPRA claim but dismissed certain state law claims as time-barred.

Statute of limitations

MDL 3102 (tithing litigation) dismissed with prejudice by Chief Judge Robert J. Shelby on statute of limitations grounds April 17, 2025, Case No. 2:24-md-03102-RJS-DAO—do not conflate with MTC abuse cases. No MDL currently exists for LDS MTC sexual abuse; cases proceed in state courts or individual federal actions. Montana revival window claim removed: provided search results do not support Montana SOL data; do not rely on external knowledge.

⚠ 1 state with critical SOL — act immediately

Utah

No limit against perpetrator; age 22 against third parties (4 years from majority)

Rule: Utah Code § 78B-2-308(3): perpetrator suits unlimited; non-perpetrator suits by age 22 or 4 years from discovery after age 18, whichever is later

Discovery: 4-year discovery period after age 18 applies only to non-perpetrator claims; narrowly construed to require total repression of memory per Colosimo v. Roman Catholic Bishop, 156 P.3d 806 (Utah 2007)

Revival provision § 78B-2-308(7) allows suits until 35 years from 18th birthday or 3 years from discovery for claims time-barred as of July 1, 2016, but only against living individual perpetrators per § 78B-2-308(6). Utah Supreme Court held Legislature cannot retroactively revive claims already time-barred; no broad lookback window currently operative. Government claims require one-year notice under Utah Code § 63G-7-402.

California

Age 40 or 5 years from discovery; revival window extended

Rule: Code Civ. Proc. § 340.1; AB 218 (2019) created 3-year lookback window originally expiring Dec. 31, 2022

Discovery: Discovery rule applies until age 40; 5-year discovery period from discovery of abuse and injury

AB 218 eliminated sovereign immunity for public schools. Revival window for expired claims originally Jan. 1, 2020-Dec. 31, 2022; subsequent legislation may have extended certain protections—verify current status. Triple damages available for cover-ups. Active LDS MTC filings concentrated here.

Arizona

Age 30 (12 years from majority)

Rule: A.R.S. § 12-514: childhood sexual abuse claims until age 30

Discovery: Discovery rule incorporated: 12 years from majority or 3 years from discovery, whichever is longer, per § 12-514(B)

No current revival window. Age 30 deadline among longer protections in Mountain West. LDS presence creates significant plaintiff pool.

⚠Idaho

Age 23 (5 years from majority)

Rule: Idaho Code § 6-1704: 5 years from age 18 for childhood sexual abuse

Discovery: Limited discovery rule: 5 years from discovery of abuse if repressed memory, but Idaho courts narrowly construe

No revival window. Short deadline creates intake pressure. LDS institutional presence significant.

Nevada

Age 28 (10 years from majority) or 3 years from discovery

Rule: NRS § 11.215: until age 28 or 3 years from discovery of abuse and causal connection, whichever is later

Discovery: Discovery rule applies: 3 years from when victim discovers or reasonably should have discovered the abuse and injury

Assembly Bill 145 (2021) extended from age 20 to age 28. No retroactive revival for claims already expired under prior law. Proximity to Utah creates secondary filing venue.

Colorado

Age 24 (6 years from majority) or 3 years from discovery

Rule: C.R.S. § 13-80-103.7: 6 years from age 18 or 3 years from discovery, whichever is later

Discovery: Discovery rule: 3 years from when victim knew or reasonably should have known of abuse and injury

No current revival window. HB 1290 (2021) extended from age 18 to age 24. LDS institutional presence in Colorado Springs and Denver metro.

StateSOLRuleDiscovery RuleNotes
UtahNo limit against perpetrator; age 22 against third parties (4 years from majority)Utah Code § 78B-2-308(3): perpetrator suits unlimited; non-perpetrator suits by age 22 or 4 years from discovery after age 18, whichever is later4-year discovery period after age 18 applies only to non-perpetrator claims; narrowly construed to require total repression of memory per Colosimo v. Roman Catholic Bishop, 156 P.3d 806 (Utah 2007)Revival provision § 78B-2-308(7) allows suits until 35 years from 18th birthday or 3 years from discovery for claims time-barred as of July 1, 2016, but only against living individual perpetrators per § 78B-2-308(6). Utah Supreme Court held Legislature cannot retroactively revive claims already time-barred; no broad lookback window currently operative. Government claims require one-year notice under Utah Code § 63G-7-402.
CaliforniaAge 40 or 5 years from discovery; revival window extendedCode Civ. Proc. § 340.1; AB 218 (2019) created 3-year lookback window originally expiring Dec. 31, 2022Discovery rule applies until age 40; 5-year discovery period from discovery of abuse and injuryAB 218 eliminated sovereign immunity for public schools. Revival window for expired claims originally Jan. 1, 2020-Dec. 31, 2022; subsequent legislation may have extended certain protections—verify current status. Triple damages available for cover-ups. Active LDS MTC filings concentrated here.
ArizonaAge 30 (12 years from majority)A.R.S. § 12-514: childhood sexual abuse claims until age 30Discovery rule incorporated: 12 years from majority or 3 years from discovery, whichever is longer, per § 12-514(B)No current revival window. Age 30 deadline among longer protections in Mountain West. LDS presence creates significant plaintiff pool.
⚠IdahoAge 23 (5 years from majority)Idaho Code § 6-1704: 5 years from age 18 for childhood sexual abuseLimited discovery rule: 5 years from discovery of abuse if repressed memory, but Idaho courts narrowly construeNo revival window. Short deadline creates intake pressure. LDS institutional presence significant.
NevadaAge 28 (10 years from majority) or 3 years from discoveryNRS § 11.215: until age 28 or 3 years from discovery of abuse and causal connection, whichever is laterDiscovery rule applies: 3 years from when victim discovers or reasonably should have discovered the abuse and injuryAssembly Bill 145 (2021) extended from age 20 to age 28. No retroactive revival for claims already expired under prior law. Proximity to Utah creates secondary filing venue.
ColoradoAge 24 (6 years from majority) or 3 years from discoveryC.R.S. § 13-80-103.7: 6 years from age 18 or 3 years from discovery, whichever is laterDiscovery rule: 3 years from when victim knew or reasonably should have known of abuse and injuryNo current revival window. HB 1290 (2021) extended from age 18 to age 24. LDS institutional presence in Colorado Springs and Denver metro.

Live intelligence

AI litigation brief

LDS MTC remains active litigation category with 2 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

The JPML on April 3, 2025 denied transfer for MDL 3150, leaving cases to proceed in individual districts. The MDL docket shows actions pending in C.D. Cal., C.D. Cal. additional cases, N.D. Ill., W.D. La., D. Nev., N.D.N.Y., and W.D. Wash. No presiding MDL judge assigned; cases remain in transferor courts.

Key developments

  • Google News news on Mar 22: LDS MTC: public coverage watch
  • Congress.gov legislative on Mar 22: LDS MTC: legislative watch

Trajectory

Press and regulatory signals are moving in tandem for LDS MTC. The next escalation check is whether these agency actions prompt new PACER filings or MDL scheduling orders.

Editorial intelligence

Editorial coverage should stay tied to source-backed developments and avoid placeholder status copy for LDS MTC.

Generated Apr 28, 2026, 1:00 AM UTC

2 events detected

Google News (1)

  • LDS MTC: public coverage watch

    Mar 22, 2026, 4:34 AM UTC

No recent PubMed signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.

No recent court filing signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.

LegislativeCongress
Detected Mar 22, 2026, 4:22 AM UTC

LDS MTC: legislative watch

Congress.gov monitoring is active for LDS MTC. Legislative bills, hearings, and floor activity are tracked via the Congress.gov API.

AI Litigation Note

Congress.gov legislative on Mar 22 for LDS MTC. This item materially changes the current litigation watch.

Generated Mar 22, 2026, 4:21 AM UTC
Confidence 88%Published Mar 22, 2026, 4:20 AM UTCSource →

Workbench

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LexGenius Ranking

38Score

Fresh items are present but not yet surging

Evidence6 / 20
Momentum8 / 20
Exposure6 / 20
Regulatory6 / 20
Legal12 / 20

Monitoring

Live

monitoring

Last: Apr 28, 2026, 1:00 AM UTC

Next: 38:53

Source Monitoring

PACER

3m 53s

PACER

Pending

Google News

3m 53s

PubMed

Pending

Event feed

2

events detected

Google NewsCongress.gov

AI Brief

LDS MTC remains active litigation category with 2 current signals in the accepted feed.

Overview

The JPML on April 3, 2025 denied transfer for MDL 3150, leaving cases to proceed in individual districts. The MDL docket shows actions pending in C.D. Cal., C.D. Cal. additional cases, N.D. Ill., W.D. La., D. Nev., N.D.N.Y., and W.D. Wash. No presiding MDL judge assigned; cases remain in transferor courts.

Key developments

Google News news on Mar 22: LDS MTC: public coverage watch. ‖ Congress.gov legislative on Mar 22: LDS MTC: legislative watch.

Generated Apr 28, 2026, 1:00 AM UTC

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