Mostly not. The perception of a 'horror story' can be very subjective. What one person might consider strange or uncomfortable, another might see as a normal part of the religious experience. The Mormon temple is a place of worship for millions of Mormons around the world, and the vast majority of interactions with it are positive. However, in any large group, there will always be a few outliers who may have had an unexpected or negative experience that they might over - dramatize into a 'horror story'.
There are stories of financial exploitation within some Mormon communities. Some members may be pressured to donate large amounts of money to the church, leaving them in difficult financial situations. In addition, there have been cases where people felt they couldn't pursue certain careers or educational opportunities because it conflicted with the church's teachings, which is another form of restriction that can be quite horrifying for those with different aspirations.
These stories can make the Mormon Church seem less empathetic. If people hear about families in need being pressured to pay tithing instead of getting help, it gives the impression that the church values money over the well - being of its members.
One horror story could be about people feeling an overwhelming sense of dread or unease when visiting the temple at night. They might claim to see strange shadows or hear unexplained noises.
One horror story could be about getting lost during the trek. Imagine a group of settlers who strayed from the main path due to a wrong turn by their guide. They ended up in a desolate area with little food and water. As days passed, they faced starvation and dehydration. Some started to hallucinate and relationships within the group became strained. They had to rely on whatever meager resources they could find, like eating wild plants that might not have been entirely safe. It was a real nightmare for them.
There are stories where a bishop was overly controlling. For example, he tried to dictate every aspect of a family's life, from how they spent their money to what kind of education their children should receive. This extreme interference made the family feel suffocated and as if they had no autonomy in their own lives. It was a nightmare for them as they felt constantly under surveillance and judged by the bishop.
One horror story could be about a Mormon missionary being sent to a very remote area with a partner who turned out to be extremely difficult to get along with. They constantly argued about how to approach the locals, and the difficult partner would often go against the rules set for missionaries. It made the whole mission experience a nightmare as they couldn't work effectively together and were constantly in conflict.
I'm not aware of any legitimate 'horror stories' in Mormon sex ed. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints provides sex education within the framework of its values. Their teachings are aimed at promoting healthy, moral relationships and family values. However, sometimes misinformation or misunderstandings can occur. For example, some people might misinterpret the conservative nature of the teachings as overly restrictive, but in reality, it's about guiding members to make responsible and ethical choices in sexual matters.
A major theme is also about the emotional abuse that can occur. People are made to feel guilty for the smallest of things, like not attending church services enough or not following every single teaching to the letter. This constant guilt - tripping can have a really negative impact on a person's mental health.