greetings

[marcostolto]

greetings, i am Italian and was raised as a Roman Catholic, but converted to the Jehovahs Witness religion whilst living in South Africa, in order to avoid military conscription, during the apartheid era. I was a JW for 15yrs but left in 2000 as a result of disagreements with some of the JW teachings. i subsequently became an Atheist but in effect am still really Catholic, as are all my relatives. I have been reading the book of Mormon, and am really impressed as it answers so many questions about the Bible that i have been unable to find anywhere else.sometimes i even wonder whether men did not unknowingly corrupt Gods word. i really would be interested to hear from LDS members who might be able to answer the following questions:

1) does the LDS Church excommunicate serious sinners publicly ie is an announcement made at the meetings?

2) does the LDS church practice the shunning of excommunicated members at church & in public ie are standing members prohibited from speaking, or even greeting, an excommunicated member?

3) does the LDS church prohibit the eating of blood eg blood sausage and does the LDS church prohibit the use of blood transfusions?

thank you

[Vort]

Ciao Marco! Benvenuto! Spero che ti trovi bene qui.

1. No, unless the excommunicant poses some danger to the community. It used to be announced among the adults in a ward, but I don't think even that is done any more. Leaders are always informed, of course.

2. No. If anything, we are encouraged to be loving and welcoming to those who may have strayed.

3. No and no.

Prego!

[marcostolto]

ciao e grazie, (thank you), this answer has really helped, and have to say, i truly love the LDS temple in Italy. and am very pleased that a 2nd temple has been approved for construction in Durban, South Africa, the city where i have lived most of my life. these buildings are very beautiful. i was left agast when i first saw the LDS Salt Lake city temple..truly incredible.if anyone can help with identifying the LDS elder who gave me a copy of the book of Mormon, it would be appreciated. the only info i have is that he & his wife had a office on the 2nd floor, and were in charge of the missionaries, in the city of Durban, South Africa, in the late 80's, or early 90's, and that he was a Vietnam veteran, airforce pilot. i would also like to hear from anyone who knows Elder Browne, who has just finished his missionary term of service in Durban, this month. i owe these elders a lot, for having introduced & helped me..thank you

[Blackmarch]

greetings, i am Italian and was raised as a Roman Catholic, but converted to the Jehovahs Witness religion whilst living in South Africa, in order to avoid military conscription, during the apartheid era. I was a JW for 15yrs but left in 2000 as a result of disagreements with some of the JW teachings. i subsequently became an Atheist but in effect am still really Catholic, as are all my relatives. I have been reading the book of Mormon, and am really impressed as it answers so many questions about the Bible that i have been unable to find anywhere else.sometimes i even wonder whether men did not unknowingly corrupt Gods word. i really would be interested to hear from LDS members who might be able to answer the following questions:

1) does the LDS Church excommunicate serious sinners publicly ie is an announcement made at the meetings?

no.

2) does the LDS church practice the shunning of excommunicated members at church & in public ie are standing members prohibited from speaking, or even greeting, an excommunicated member?

church itself won't shun the member, however how individuals in the church react to a persons excommunication are different depending where you go, some places handle it better than others.

Excommunicated memebers are treated like individuals who are not part of the faith yet, which does limit to how much they can participate in meeetings (for example they can't have any of the main leadership positions, or have priesthood callings). But they can still be at meetings, be in prayers, and share comments (presuming they are not trying to be disruptive of church meetings).

3) does the LDS

church prohibit the eating of blood eg blood sausage and does the LDS church prohibit the use of blood transfusions?

thank you

not as far as I am aware. such things are usually left up to the individual and their dealings with the Lord.

And welcome to the site! I look forward to your questions :)

[mnn727]

1) does the LDS Church excommunicate serious sinners publicly ie is an announcement made at the meetings?

No, its a very private matter with only those directly involved knowing

2) does the LDS church practice the shunning of excommunicated members at church & in public ie are standing members prohibited from speaking, or even greeting, an excommunicated member?

No, we invite them to Church, fellowship them and assist them in coming back into full fellowship -- very few people will even know about it.

3) does the LDS church prohibit the eating of blood eg blood sausage and does the LDS church prohibit the use of blood transfusions?

No

thank you

Hope that helps you in your understanding of what we believe and our practices.