Gary Westlund

Sources

1. , , May 9, 2025.

• 1.

  • News article

  • original
  • archived
  • back to list

  Plaintiffs RJ and MM filed a lawsuit against the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints:
  “Plaintiff RJ
  “In approximately August of 1978, Plaintiff RJ, who was approximately 10 years old, was baptized a member of the LDS Church in order to become involved in the LPP. Then, the LDS Defendants removed RJ from his home in Sawmill, Arizona, within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, and placed him with the Lovell family in Oak City, Utah, in approximately August of 1978 for the start of what is believed to be RJ's fourth grade year in school. During RJ's placement in the Lovell home, RJ was sexually molested on various occasions (to include sexual penetration) by a step brother who was about 4 years older. RJ also suffered physical, emotional and cultural abuse by his foster mother to include, but not limited to, forcibly having his mouth washed out with soap whenever he spoke Navajo to the other placement children in the home.
  RJ disclosed the sexual abuse he suffered in 4thgrade and in 5th grade to agents of
  LDS Defendants, including but not limited to his LPP case worker, James (Jaymes) Helmstetler, who was believed to be an employee of LDS Social Services. RJ disclosed the abuse to Mr. Helmstetler within the Navajo Nation, on at least two different occasions

  following his 4th and 5th grade years. The locations of these disclosures included the LDS Chapel (Window Rock Ward or Branch) in St. Michael's, Arizona and at his home in Sawmill, Arizona.
  Plaintiff MM
  Plaintiff MM is an adult female residing who is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and resides within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. At all relevant times, MM was a minor residing within• the Navajo Nation. In approximately 1976, when Plaintiff MM was approximately 11 years old, she was baptized a member of the LDS Church in order to participate in the LPP. Then, the LDS Defendants removed MM from her home in Sawmill, Arizona, within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, and placed her with the Munger family in Gunnison, Utah, in approximately August of 1976 for the start of what is believed to be MM's fifth grade year in school. During MM's placement in the Munger home, she was raped (sexual intercourse) by Gary Westlund, a friend of her step brother. This pedophile was believed to be approximately 40 years old at the time. Prior to this rape, Westlund was a frequent visitor and present in the Munger home; his presence and familiarity towards MM was known not only to the foster brother but also to MM's foster parents.
  MM returned to the Navajo Nation the summer following her 5th grade year. For her 6th grade year, MM was not returned to the Munger family; however, she continued in the LPP. From 6th grade through 10th grade, she participated in the LPP without incident.
  For her 11thand l2th grades (believed to be 1981-1983), MM was again removed from her home within the Navajo Nation by the LDS Defendants and placed with the Edwards family in Centerfield, Utah. During her placement with the Edwards family, MM was sexually abused by her foster father.....
  Additionally, MM became aware that her younger brother and younger sister, who were also placed with this same family, were being sexually abused.”
  NON-Monetary changes were listed in the Complaint to include:
  POLICY CHANGES

  42. That the LDS Defendants change their current corporate policies regarding reporting of suspected child sexual abuse. Upon information and belief, the current policy as set forth in 2010 Handbook 2: Administering the Church, Section 13.6.18, which provides that "[i]f a leader becomes aware of physical, sexual or emotional abuse of someone during a Church activity, he or she should contact the bishop immediately."
  Instructions for bishops are provided in Handbook 1:17.3.2, which provides in pertinent part, "[i]n the United States and Canada, the Church has established a help line to assist stake presidents and bishops in cases of abuse ... When calling the help line, leaders will be able to consult with professional counselors and legal specialists who can help answer questions and formulate steps to take ... Leaders can obtain information about local reporting requirements through the help line. Where reporting is required by law, the leader encourages the member to secure qualified legal advice. To avoid implicating the Church in legal matters to which it is not a party, Church leaders should avoid testifying in civil or criminal cases or other proceedings involving abuse." Handbook 1, State Presidents and Bishops 2010, Section 17.3.2.”
  NAVAJO CASE RJ AND MM NAVAJO-AMMENDED-COMPLAINT.PDF
  http://noakerlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Complaint-for-Personal-Injury-RJ-MM-v-LDS-.pdf