Questions on becoming active again

[angelan28]

Ok... I have decided to become active in the church again. I have had sex out of wedlock and that's the worst thing I have done while inactive from the church. Will I be excommunicated and have to rejoin or will I just have to go to the Bishop? I have been to the temple as a teenager and if I get remarried to a LDS member, can we get married in the temple? I have never been married in the temple before. I have been inactive for approx 13 years.

[Guest rockmanlinux]

While I'm not your bishop I'd say its very unlikely you'd be excommunicated. Most members are rarely excommunicated. You can always get married in the temple once you've repented and changed your ways and found worthy (by your own accord) to enter the temple. Good luck!

[Radio_Religion]

I'm going through the almost exact same thing you are at this point with the exception of being married. I have spoken with a counselor in my ward and he has referred me to see the stake president. Will I be excommunicated? I do not know.

It hasn't exactly been easy up to this point. But then again I didn't expect it to be. I'd say definitely go see your bishop though. Its for the best.

[Guest mormonmusic]

I can't say for sure -- but the tendency is toward lenience. I think excommunication is highly unlikely.

I really think that someone who was inactive for a very long time, and had issues like yours would be looked upon with great mercy and thanksgiving for your return. Also, not having had sex out of wedlock for a long time before confessing will probably help your case.

Also, regarding getting married in the temple -- I don't think that would be a problem provided you have gone through all the repentence steps and can answer the questions affirmatively after being active for a while.

Good luck, glad to see you return to the fold!!!

[Guest rockmanlinux]

Radio_Religion: I also find it unlikely you'll be excommunicated. Excommunicating members isn't the normal practice although sometimes is done depending on circumstances. Typically a bishop will ask you to talk to the stake president when married as he holds those keys to determine worthiness. Just be open, honest, and repentant and regardless of what happens it will be to honestly help you.

[Backroads]

I've known several people who had sex outside of wedlock. Some of them are currently sealed in the temple, some working towards it. None of them were excommunicated.

[bytor2112]

Excommunication is unlikely unless you are endowed....and if you are excommunicated, it's better to take care of these issues now and get back on the right path.

[hordak]

Depends on the Bishop.

I might be down playing the severity of excommunication but i have seen a few threads on this topic (i've committed sin x, what will happen if i go back?)

If exed you will...

lose the right to use the Priesthood, if an ordained male,

Lose the right to take sacrament, and renew baptismal covenants (lose those convents?)

lose the right to pray at meetings

If you don't go to church you...

lose the opportunity use the Priesthood, if an ordained male,

Lose the opportunity to take sacrament, and renew baptismal covenants

lose the opportunity to pray at meetings

If you come back as an exed member you will be asked...

to read scriptures,

to pray,

to show faith,

to repent of sins

to avoid new sins

to become a better person.

Members in good standing are asked...

to read scriptures,

to pray,

to show faith,

to repent of sins

so avoid new sins

to become a better person.

Essentially not coming back is "excommunicating" yourself.

[Lillie]

I have been going back to church for the last 5 months after being away from the church for about 35 years. I had two children out of wedlock and have been divorced and remarried. I was welcomed back with open arms and recently my husband and oldest daughter and grandson have all been baptized. We are looking toward the day that we can be sealed in the temple. I especially have done alot of repenting and even tho I could according to my bishop go to the temple I still am at the point that I feel like I am not worthy yet.

Please do not let the fear of the unknown keep you away from church. I let it keep me away for 35 years and to me that was one of my biggest mistakes. We all make mistakes in our life and as someone told me recently if we didn't ALL make mistakes Christ pain and suffering would have been for not.

Start going back to church and make an appointment to speak with your bishop. The hardest step is the first step back in the church doors. After that the rest is pretty easy. I found it easy to talk to our bishop after I had been to a few meetings and felt the warmth and love again and the happiness and joy in our family now is the best there has ever been!

Start reading your Scriptures again if you haven't already and pray ALOT! You will find that peace will come to you. Best Wishes!!

[Carl62]

I think it would be a rare chance that you'd be ex'd. I've heard that the church is trying more not to go the excommunication route becasue only less than 30% end up rejoining again. They want more people to stay in then go out and try to re-enter again. It would also seem strange that you'd get an open arms welcome only to then be told to get out. That certainly wasn't the case in the prodigal son story. I only hope our church follows that example when welcoming inactives. Good luck.:)