Summary
Spencer Palmer was a former BYU professor of religion, mission president, temple president, LDS church area authority, and personal friend of Mormon prophet Gordon B. Hinckley.
FLOODLIT recognizes that Spencer Palmer was never publicly charged with a sex crime during his lifetime. Our goal is to provide transparency and accuracy to this topic.
Palmer was posthumously accused of child sexual abuse by his grandson Matt Purcell on Mormon Stories Podcast.
In a 1969 film version of the Mormon church’s temple endowment ceremony, Palmer played the role of a Christian minister hired by Satan.
Facts
- Criminal: Never charged, Not convicted,
- Civil: No civil case,
- Church positions: Bishop, BYU, Mission president, Missionary, Other leader, Sunday school, Temple president,
- Church position during alleged crime: Unknown position,
- Church position when accused: No position (deceased),
- Alleged crime: Unknown timeframe, in Utah,
- Victims: Multiple victims, Unknown number of victims,
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Born: 1927
Died: 2000 - Mission: 1947-1949 United States California
- Places: Utah,
Sources
Documents
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Criminal case documents
We believe this person was never criminally charged, so no related criminal case documents exist. If you have information that suggests otherwise, please contact us.
Civil case documents
We do not know of any related civil cases, so no related civil case documents exist. If you have information that suggests otherwise, please contact us.
Other documents
FLOODLIT does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.Videos
- Video title: When High-Level Mormon Church Leaders Sexually Abuse: Matt and Stephanie Purcell Pt. 1 - 1520
- Video description: "Matt Purcell is the grandson of Spencer Palmer - former BYU professor of religion, mission president, temple president, LDS church area authority, personal friend of Mormon prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, and likely recipient of the top secret Mormon church Second Anointing ritual.In today's episode Matt tells his story of being one of several victims of sexual abuse by his grandfather - who served at some of the highest levels of Mormon church leadership. Matt is joined by Stephanie, his wife. Both share their Mormon stories, which include their faith journeys after discovering problematic Mormon church history."