Comments on: What if one lies or omits details during a Bishop’s Court?

By: Douglas Self

Douglas Self — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 01:58:00 +0000

In reply to John Campbell. Actually a bishop's council CAN result in excommunication for a member who isn't a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, but only after consulting the matter with the Stake President and receiving authorization to proceed. It is possible but highly unlikely that a Stake High Council and Presidency will convene a disciplinary council over a non-PH holder, but in the case where a PH holder should be tried for his membership, they must, as under ordinary circumstances it's considered wrong to hold TWO disciplinary councils over the same matter.

By: Douglas Self

Douglas Self — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 01:47:00 +0000

In reply to Frank. If a Church disciplinary council were about "justice", I can think of quite a few that would have been stripped of their membership. The best answers are (1) all the supposed PH powers of "discernment" notwithstanding; bishops and Stake Presidents are still fallible men, and (2) the Church discipline is regarding the member's status, NOT whether one has received forgiveness from the Lord over that particular matter.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:18:00 +0000

You are looking for justice? There is no such thing. We just have to live with that knowledge. That is why we have to forgive.That is the only way to cope with it. And in this way we can “earn” for ourselves the right to be forgiven as well, for which we should be very grateful. Because if true justice would ever hit ourselves, we would certainly be surprised.
Christ was crucified without having done anything wrong. Was that just?

And yes, there might be people who go to a disciplinary council who don’t tell it all or who tell “the truth” as they see it. What would you do as a bishop?

Let’s do what the Savior did. Let us be forgiving, longsuffering, meek, gentle, loving. Even if we should be treated unjustly.

By: John Campbell

John Campbell — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 03:53:00 +0000

I hope it’s alright that I add a little bit to the discussion in an effort to help Julie understand, at the same time acknowledging that Gramps’ answer was wonderful. One thing to understand is that the word “court” is no longer used when it comes to church discipline. We now use the name “disciplinary council.” I have been involved in many of these and I can assure you Julie that they are councils of love and concern for both the individual who may have transgressed as well as the need to make sure that the church and it’s members are worthy of the blessing of the Spirit of the Lord. Disciplinary councils are held in one of two ways – at the ward level or at the stake level. When a bishop first hears a confession or becomes aware of transgression, he counsels with the stake president. At that time, the stake president will make a determination of whether or not the possible outcome of a disciplinary council might be excommunication. Here’s an important part of this to understand – a bishop’s disciplinary council cannot result in an excommunication. If it is at all possible that an individual could be excommunicated a bishop’s disciplinary council is not warranted and it would be held at the stake level. If during a bishop’s disciplinary council new light is shed on the transgression wherein the result could then be excommunication, the council is closed and it referred back to the stake president. At the ward level, a bishop and his councilors make up the council. At the stake level, the stake president, his counselors, and the high council make up the council. There are only four possible outcomes of a disciplinary council: exoneration, informal discipline, disfellowshipment, or excommunication. Adultery, even when committed by an endowed individual, does not automatically result in excommunication. There can be many, many mitigating factors. We just don’t know how these things will be played out but I can assure you, at least in every instance I have been involved in, the spirit of Lord resides and His will is done. Council members are humble, meek, and understand that they have a tremendous burden of responsible action. In every case that I have been involved in, the “bandage” (the disciplinary action taken) has been just big enough to cover the wound. The Lord is loving, forgiving, and fair. I believe that except in the most extreme of cases, certainly one I have never seen, an individual comes away from a disciplinary council feeling that they have been justly served. I hope that helps in some small way. :)