Disfellowshipping

[Ingbert]

Somebody mentioned disfellowshipping on another thread, and it didn't seem appropriate to interrupt that thread with my ignorance. I'm basically a newbie and not familiar with disfellowshipping. Can somebody explain it or provide a link that does so?

Basically, what is it? What kind of things can lead to disfellowshipping? Is there a difference between disfellowshipping and excommunication?

[Juan_P]

My 2c: Disfellowship is basically to suspend the members rights of membership ie can't take the sacrament, give talks or prayers in church, can't teach classes or hold a calling, however the person is still a member and is allowed to use garments and pay tithings and attend church normally.

Excommunication includes all of the above plus takes away the right to wear garments and pay tithing and the person is no longer a member of the church until reinstated by a new baptism.

Mostly disfellowshipment will last between 6 months to a year if the person attends church regularly by this is subjective and Bishops usually decide how long the disfellowshipment lasts.

It is a serious matter and a report is submitted by the Bishop to his stake president covering the proceedings of the disciplinary council and reasons for disfollowshipment and then that report, plus minutes from the council, are all submitted to church offices in Salt Lake City where they are never distroyed.

[NeuroTypical]

Disfellowshipment is one level of church discipline. Ideally, it is part of someone's repentence process, which is geared towards helping the person avail themselves of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and return to full fellowship having cast off the burden of the sin.

Levels of church discipline:

Informal probation

Formal probation

Disfellowshipment

Excommunication

The level of discipline depends on the member, the nature of the sin, people affected by the sin, guidance of the spirit, and other factors. I have personally gone through informal probation (private matter), I've sat in a council where someone's disfellowshipment came to a close (adultry), and I once had a small part in someone's excommunication (providing court documents in a case of sexual abuse of a minor).

If the person who sinned is interested in freeing themselves from the burden of the sin, church discipline is great. If the person is not, then they might resent it or see it in a bitter light.

[RescueMom]

Disfellowshipment is right before excommunication, however, I think sometimes it is rougher punishment than excommunication for the truly repentant. With excommunication the person can walk away, forget completely and will if they are not truly repentant. So if a person is just looking for a quick fix to ease their own regrets and are not really repentant excommunication simply frees them of the burden. Where as disfellowshipment to a truly repentant person maybe harder than excommunication for them, because it can last longer than a year (it is determined by Bishop) and is much more of a limbo (Catholic term here) than excommunication. i.e., you are within reach of heaven but are denied entry. But with excommunication heaven isn't so much in view and unless one is truly repentant then excommunication is the easy way out...IMHO.

For example I had a friend, who had received his endowments, wanted out of the church after a few years, simply slept with his girlfriend, confessed and was excommunicated....he hasn't looked back since, it was all part of his plan, he knew he would be ex'd and it was his way out. He took it. He has since went back to being a Baptist, says he only joined the Church because he was at a fragile state in his life and wasn't thinking straight. So in his mind getting out was the best thing possible and he took a way that he knew would get him out. Had he been disfellowshiped, I think he would have grown resentful and angry, he wasn't really repentant.

That's why I say sometimes disfellowshipment is tougher than excommunication, of course it all depends on the situation and the person involved.

And as L_M said a person who is truly repentant will welcome the discipline, if not they will resent it and say the Priesthood authority is wrong in their judgments (seen this happen too).

[Blackmarch]

Somebody mentioned disfellowshipping on another thread, and it didn't seem appropriate to interrupt that thread with my ignorance. I'm basically a newbie and not familiar with disfellowshipping. Can somebody explain it or provide a link that does so?

Basically, what is it? What kind of things can lead to disfellowshipping? Is there a difference between disfellowshipping and excommunication?

Basically its a form of discipline where an individual is not allowed to participate/lead in church meetings (such as give prayers, talks, perform priesthood duties). Excommunication severs all ties with the church and your name is removed from church records. Edited October 20, 2011 by Blackmarch

[FunkyTown]

For example I had a friend, who had received his endowments, wanted out of the church after a few years, simply slept with his girlfriend, confessed and was excommunicated....he hasn't looked back since, it was all part of his plan, he knew he would be ex'd and it was his way out. He took it. He has since went back to being a Baptist, says he only joined the Church because he was at a fragile state in his life and wasn't thinking straight. So in his mind getting out was the best thing possible and he took a way that he knew would get him out. Had he been disfellowshiped, I think he would have grown resentful and angry, he wasn't really repentant.

I have to ask: Why bother confessing at all at that point? If you don't believe, why bother getting excommunicated? Just leave and don't look back.

Acts like this are truly puzzling to me.

[mnn727]

For example I had a friend, who had received his endowments, wanted out of the church after a few years, simply slept with his girlfriend, confessed and was excommunicated....he hasn't looked back since, it was all part of his plan, he knew he would be ex'd and it was his way out.

Why didn't he simply ask to have his name removed from the membership? Its quicker and less painless.