He got off way too light, IMHO.
If he was serving a mission and attempted to rape a 16 year old girl...irrespective of whether he actually consummated his sick, criminal “act,” he should be thrown in prison for a long time.
If I had been the father...we would never have agreed to such reduced charges.
This act reflects on this individual...not on the church. Their are bad apples in every cart. People, who to a certain point appear fine...go off and do dastardly things. When they do, they need to feel the full weight and consequences of their actions...and if they are truly repentant, they will accept them.
As I said, he should have gotten a much, much stiffer penalty, with prison time of a good 5-10 years IMHO and then equal that in probation afterwards.
LDS or not.
May the Ultimate God bless you and your family in the New Year!!!
Enjoy your fellowship with your loved ones over the next few days!