When Shepherds Prey | Kristy Johnson’s Story

Episode Overview

This episode of We Are the People is presented as a survivor-centered discussion focused on the story of Kristy (Christy) Johnson. Her account alleges long-term sexual abuse by her father and, critically, ongoing protection and concealment of the abuser by church leadership.

Core Claims and Arguments

• Abuse was enabled by institutional silence. The hosts argue that, in Kristy’s case (and others referenced), church authorities discouraged reporting to law enforcement, handled matters internally, and repeatedly transferred the accused rather than removing access to children.

• Leadership is framed as “shepherds” who failed the vulnerable. Biblical passages—particularly Ezekiel 34 and Ephesians 6—are used to interpret the narrative as spiritual and moral warfare. Leaders are portrayed as accountable for protecting institutions over victims.

• Accountability is presented as nonpartisan “good vs. evil.” The hosts reject left/right framing and instead claim abuse networks and corruption operate across parties and institutions. Epstein is cited as an example where accountability was publicly claimed but non-action followed.

• Investigative exposure is credited with change. The episode describes a “turning point” driven by exposure and investigative journalism—arguing that public attention forced accountability in other scandals and could do the same here.

Kristy Johnson’s Reported Experience (Key Timeline)

• Early onset and escalation: Kristy claims abuse began around age six (with references suggesting her sister’s abuse began even earlier). She alleges assaults occurred at home and in her father’s church teaching settings, including seminary/institute/office contexts.

• Discouragement of police involvement: Kristy states her mother reported to church leaders multiple times. However, bishops allegedly discouraged contacting law enforcement and told her to leave the church to “handle it.”

• Work and leadership protections: She describes her father being moved across roles/locations (including seminary and BYU-related environments), maintaining access to children despite allegations.

• Family-wide impact and stigma: The discussion emphasizes long-term psychological effects—dissociation, body-image harm, fear, and fractured trust—along with social consequences of going public (ostracism within the community).

• Police reporting and alleged obstruction: Kristy recounts that after the family went to police, church/state leadership allegedly intervened to prevent the father from being taken by law enforcement, including advice that victims should not involve police.

• Church discipline described as contradictory: The hosts and Kristy describe a pattern in which her father was later excommunicated, yet church leadership allegedly continued to provide support, reintegration opportunities, and later reactivation. They also describe an “annotation” warning that the hosts say was later removed.

• Documentary as evidence: The episode repeatedly points to No Crime in Sin (Amazon Prime), presenting it as central to understanding the confrontation with the father and to validating the abuse claims.

• Federal/civil legal action: Kristy states she sued—federally in Utah, and also in California against the church and him—and describes deposition testimony in which her father allegedly affirmed her credibility.

Specific Points on “Ritual Abuse” and Memory

• Questions about ritual/ceremonial elements: The hosts ask whether the abuse involved ritualized or ceremonial components. Kristy mentions a recurring memory of being taken to a large house with other little girls in white “model” clothing, staged for men and women, plus memories suggesting complex, structured abuse.

• Recovered memories: The episode addresses “recovered memories”, arguing that delayed recall or memory gaps can occur when trauma “fractures” memory. As a result, lack of immediate recall is not treated as proof that the account is unreliable.

Kristy Johnson’s Concluding Takeaways (As Stated On-Air)

• Report first to law enforcement and obtain a report number.
• Victims are not at fault: disbelief or minimization revictimizes survivors.
• Cover-ups prevent repentance and accountability: real accountability requires consequences and removal from access to children.
• Faith and condemnation: she emphasizes ongoing faith in God while condemning institutional protection of abusers, arguing that evil must be confronted publicly to protect children.

Presenters / Contributors

• Jason Preston (host)
• Alexia Preston (host)
• Christy / Kristy Johnson (survivor; guest; subject of No Crime in Sin)