Merrill F. Nelson

Role

Utah State Lawmaker and Kirton McConkie Attorney

Bio Notes

Merrill F. Nelson is both a Utah State Lawmaker and a Kirton McConkie attorney. According to the Associated Press investigation into the LDS Church's handling of sexual abuse cases, Nelson was the attorney who took the call from a Mesa, Arizona bishop on the Kirton McConkie help line. Documents show he told the bishop not to report the abuse to authorities. This failure to report led to seven more years of abuse. Three children sued the firm and the lawmaker by name. The judge limited the Church's clergy-penitent privilege defense. The LDS Church handbook routes bishops to the Kirton McConkie firm first, before any outside reporting. Kirton McConkie is the same firm involved in the Boy Scouts of America 250 million dollar settlement, operating as one firm with two hands. Band: Documented (AP investigation, court record).