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When a member of the Lord’s Church commits a serious
transgression the Lord’s objective is to teach the offender
repentance in the gospel of Jesus Christ, to help that
individual realize the Atonement in their life, and to render
just discipline. When this discipline takes place there are
specific blessings that are suspended to the member in order
to help facilitate the repentance and healing process, leading
to an eventual restoration of those blessings in the future
when appropriate and possible.
Forgiveness and Love is the Overriding Principle
The Lord has commanded, “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye
ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his
brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for
there remaineth in him the greater sin. “I, the Lord, will
forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to
forgive all men” (D&C 64:9–10). |
Disciplinary Councils are for Serious Sins
When an individual confesses a serious transgression to their
ecclesiastical leader (a bishop for example)—often in the form
of sexual sin, a civil crime, abuse, apostasy, or some other
like serious sin—it should result in the holding of a
confidential disciplinary council. The council is held in the
spirit of love and seeking the Lord’s will for the individual,
making possible a spiritual judgment that will allow the
offender to rid him or herself of the sin, feel the peace of
forgiveness, and become eligible for the blessings of
exaltation.
The process of disciplinary councils is simple, highly
confidential, and can render either informal or formal
discipline, depending on the severity, frequency, and
circumstances of the transgression. In some cases there may
not be a need for a disciplinary council at all, as the matter
may be worked out between the individual and their
ecclesiastical leader.
The Rendering of Informal Discipline
In the case of informal discipline a member who has committed
a less serious sin may be simply counseled by their leader, or
through inspiration may be put under some form of probation.
There may be some restrictions placed on the individual such
as refraining from taking the sacrament, restrictions on
callings, or the temporary surrendering of other spiritual
privileges. There will likely be specific actions identified
for improvement so that the offending individual has a clear
idea of what they need to do and accomplish in the repentance
process. The ecclesiastical leader alone decides when to
terminate the probation.
The Rendering of More Formal Discipline
When ecclesiastical leaders are inspired to render discipline
in a more formal manner, usually for more serious
transgressions, a disciplinary council is held. This is
especially the case when the transgressor holds the
Melchizedek Priesthood. The process of disciplinary councils
is documented in detail in D&C 102. There are three main
purposes of a disciplinary council: to save the soul of the
transgressor; to protect the innocent; and to protect the
Church’s name and integrity. Concern and care of the
individual is always kept in mind out of love for God’s
children; however, the other two purposes must always be
considered due to their critical importance.
Serious Transgressions Requiring Formal Discipline
The most likely reasons for a formal disciplinary council may
include, but are not limited to: sexual transgression
(including incest), murder, or apostasy; when a prominent
Church leader falls into serious transgression; when the
transgressor is thought to be a predatory threat to others;
when the transgressor demonstrates a frequency of
transgressions; when the public is aware of the transgressors
actions; or when the transgressor is guilty of false and
deceptive practices and/or fraud.
Other infractions that may convene a disciplinary council may
include: abortion, transsexual operation, attempted murder,
rape, forcible sexual abuse, intentionally inflicting serious
physical injuries on others, adultery, fornication, homosexual
relations, child abuse (sexual or physical), spouse abuse,
deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, robbery,
burglary, embezzlement, theft, sale of illegal drugs, fraud,
perjury, or false swearing (see M. Russell Ballard, “A Chance
to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the
Restoration of Blessings,” Ensign, Sep 1990, 12). It is
important to note that civil court decisions do not affect
decisions made in a disciplinary council, but may help Church
leaders decide whether or not a disciplinary council should be
held.
Matters that are not appropriate for disciplinary councils, or
even a confession to an ecclesiastical leader, include issues
with the Word of Wisdom; non-attendance at Church; the
inability to pay tithing; the joining of another church, or
financial failings (bankruptcy, business failure,
etc.)—provided no improprieties were committed.
Possible Outcomes of Disciplinary Councils
There are generally four possible outcomes of a formal
disciplinary council including no action to be taken, formal
probation, disfellowshipment, or excommunication.
Formal Probation
In the case of formal probation, discipline is rendered
commensurate with the infraction according to the inspiration
of the presiding officer. Probation is usually short term and
often includes ecclesiastical leaders meeting regularly with
the transgressor to listen, provide counsel and encouragement,
and to track progress.
Disfellowshipment
Disfellowshipment is temporary and allows the individual to
retain their membership; however, the period of
disfellowshipment depends upon the actions of the
transgressor. Those who are disfellowshipped are urged to
attend Sunday Church meetings, but must refrain from taking
the sacrament, offering public prayers, or speaking in a
Church forum. Those who are disfellowshipped cannot hold
Church callings, must relinquish their temple recommend,
cannot sustain Church officers by way of voting, and cannot
exercise the priesthood if they are priesthood holders. Such
individuals are still allowed to pay tithing and wear temple
garments (if endowed).
Excommunication
If excommunication is rendered the transgressor loses their
Church membership and are denied the blessings and privileges
of Church membership. Excommunicated individuals are urged to
attend Church meetings, but cannot pay tithing, wear the
temple garment, partake of the sacrament, pray publicly, or
speak in Church forums.
Confidentiality is always a priority in the execution of
disciplinary councils. The decisions of councils are never
made public and kept confidential between Church leaders, the
council, and the transgressor.
Focusing on the Atonement of Jesus Christ
In all cases of Church discipline, the transgressor is
encouraged to carefully and prayerfully go through all of the
steps of repentance (starting with achieving godly sorrow).
Individuals are likely to have regular meetings with Church
leaders to ensure progress is being made and have the
opportunity to minister and counsel together, offering
encouragement to the individual. In some cases specific
individuals will be assigned in confidence to fellowship the
individual. In the Lord’s Church, when discipline is rendered
the objective is to help the transgressor feel and experience
the Atonement of the Savior and to bring to life the process
or repentance. It is not easy, nor is it meant to be easy;
however, it is meant to be spiritually meaningful and valuable
to the individual.
Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 7 verse
10 says: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not
to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
Feeling godly sorrow is essential to the process of
repentance. For most humans it is not enough to admonish them
and set them free as a consequence of their sin. Much more can
and must be done to help individuals understand and feel the
Atonement of Christ.
A Testimony of the Church Discipline Process
From Elder Ballard’s article quoted earlier comes the
following passage from a Church member who had experienced the
process of church discipline: “The shock I felt was terrible.
I could feel the spirit of concerned brethren in the room as I
was told the decision of the council… I felt only love and
compassion. Left to cope with the anguish and grief inside me,
I cried, I prayed, I lay awake at night afraid that I would
lose my wife and children forever. Although I continued to
counsel with my bishop, I felt alone, with rebellion in my
heart many times and feelings of guilt because of this
rebellion. …As I look back now, working through each personal
challenge was terribly difficult but necessary, and the whole
process was a great blessing to me. … Repentance is something
that each individual must find for himself or herself, in
process of time” (M. Russell Ballard, “A Chance to Start Over:
Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of
Blessings,” Ensign, Sep 1990).
This story is consistent with those of individuals whom I am
personally associated with who have gone through a similar
process. I have been involved with individuals who were
excommunicated and were re-baptized into full membership and
the joy of the occasion for their entire family. It truly is a
process of love that comes about under the stern hand of a
loving Heavenly Father.
I have come to learn through my own ecclesiastical leadership
experiences that the purpose of church discipline is to help
the offending member to truly feel godly sorrow, experience
the Atonement, and facilitate the process of repentance.
Reinstating the Disciplined Individual
When the time for reinstatement arrives, as dictated to Church
leaders through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, councils
may be reconvened to discuss and consider the matter as was
done in the original disciplinary council. In the case of
reinstating those given probation or disfellowshipment, no
additional actions are required—it is typically a day of great
joy and happiness for the individual and their family.
In the case of those excommunicated, the transgressor who is
found worthy for reinstatement is re-baptized, and a process
is begun to restore priesthood and temple blessings as
appropriate for priesthood holders. For those who are
excommunicated the process of reinstatement can be long and
difficult; however, to come into the light and feel the full
impact of the Atonement of Christ in one’s life is powerful
and worth the wait and anguish.
Conclusion
I believe strongly in the church discipline process as the way
the Lord would want his church to operate and his children to
be counseled during times of indiscretion and serious sin.
Serious sin must be met with serious consequences in order to
bring the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to those
who need it most. An active church disciplinary process
facilitates repentance and brings to life the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ and the redeeming power of his ultimate act of
love for all mankind.
Doctrinal
Study: Social
Issues: Church Discipline
Download the
Sword Series™ essay on Church Discipline |
