Excommunication

From MormonWikia

Excommunication is when a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon Church) loses his or her membership to the Church. This only happens when someone has committed a very serious sin and refuses to repent completely and align their lives with the commandments of God. Excommunication never happens immediately; it is the end of a process that starts with a church disciplinary council in response to sin. The Church never aims to excommunicate its members, and the goal of the disciplinary process is to help people repent and return to good standing in the Church and before God.

An ex-Mormon is not necessarily someone who has been excommunicated. Some people who are excommunicated may not claim “ex-Mormon” status because they are working on repenting and returning to the Church.

[edit] Disciplinary Councils

When someone has committed a serious sin, a church disciplinary council may be called by that person’s bishop in order to help that person repent fully. These councils may be called for a number of reasons: serious violations of the law (civil laws), spouse or child abuse, rape, incest, fornication, or adultery. The purpose of a church disciplinary council is not to punish, it is to protect the innocent and to save people who have sinned by helping them repent. These councils also have a duty to protect the Church’s reputation, integrity, and purity.

A council will try to help someone return to full fellowship in the Church and receive the Church’s full blessings. The disciplinary council will help those who repent to do so fully, and regain the peace that worthiness brings. It will help them to gain strength to avoid repeating sins, and change in ways that help their lives be in alignment with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The purposes of church disciplinary councils are much like the purposes of a parent who disciplines a child. A parent never wants a child to suffer, but to learn to change its ways so it can be happy and successful. The council is not meant to exact the punishments of God, but to protect and help the sinner, the Church, and the innocent. An experience with a church disciplinary council should be an experience of learning and growth, to help someone who sins learn to trust in Jesus Christ for repentance, love God and keep his commandments, and resist temptation.

[edit] Consequences for Serious Sin

Excommunication is not the only consequence for someone who has sinned seriously. Mormons can lose certain privileges of the Church, like being able to take the sacrament, hold a temple recommend, have a calling, or perform other church duties. This helps the person avoid doing things they aren’t worthy to do, and it protects the innocent.

The removal of privileges in the Church is not meant to be permanent. As members repent, they can again obtain these privileges and the blessings they can receive from them. Even excommunicated members can, through repentance and change, return to full fellowship in the Church. It is not an easy road, and there is no place for insincerity on it. Special permission is required to re-enter the church. The scriptures say that repentance is available for everyone, except for unforgivable sins. The Church is ready to help everyone repent.