Well, this is going to be fun. NOT!

[All_Apologies]

Okay, so I get to go to a disciplinary council. Never done this before. So, I wonder....

What is the procedure? What happens there?

Going into uncharted territory. Oh, well. Hopefully, this helps me overcome my stuff I need to overcome. My bishop said it would. :/

[NeuroTypical]

Disciplinary Councils are to help a member avail themselves of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and help one remove any burden of sin one carries.

The details are unique to every individual. For example, the council for someone who has broken the law of chastity will follow a different path than the guy who was recently convicted of child abuse and sent to prison for five to life. Or the guy who embezzled from his work. Or the guy who cheated on his wife.

Be honest, be open to the spirit, and hold nothing back.

[C_T_R]

It IS going to be a relief. I mean if you believe it, if you love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, if you want to get back to enjoying life... that is what fun is! :)

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I haven't had that experience, but I have been told that it is done in a loving way. You can do this. Prayers for strength headed your way. :)

[RMGuy]

Procedure will depend on if it is a ward disciplinary council or a stake version, though they are similar.

You will be invited in. There should be an opening prayer. You will have the opportunity to express/confess what has happened to get to this point. The bishopric or stake presidency/HC will have the opportunity to ask any questions that they deem appropriate. You get to answer those. Generally at this point you are excused from the meeting, and the brethren then have an opportunity to discuss what they feel should be done by way of punishment/requirements/council. They should then pray for confirmation. Once they feel they know what should be done, you are generally invited back in, and they share the results of the deliberation. There is then a closing prayer and you are again excused.

Depending on the sin, the severity, and any mitigating circumstances this is all considered when deciding the punishment: nothing, informal probation, formal probation, disfellowship, excommunication. It also plays a role in conditions: can you participate in meetings, can you partake of sacrament, hold a calling, etc., and any advice: read your scriptures, say prayers, meet with bishop regularly, get rid of the computer, etc.

-RM

[RMGuy]

I haven't had that experience, but I have been told that it is done in a loving way. You can do this. Prayers for strength headed your way. :)

In the interest of openness and honesty, I have sat in on some councils where I was overwhelmed by the feelings of love and support that was shown to the individuals by the leaders in attendance, and I have also been in councils where I did not feel the Spirit at all because individuals that were on the council were out to extract a pound of flesh and they could smell blood in the water. Remember that leaders aren't perfect, and they aren't always inspired either.

Good leaders (by far the majority) should be there to love you, support you, and help. All the best!

-RM

[Vort]

In the interest of openness and honesty, I have sat in on some councils where I was overwhelmed by the feelings of love and support that was shown to the individuals by the leaders in attendance, and I have also been in councils where I did not feel the Spirit at all because individuals that were on the council were out to extract a pound of flesh and they could smell blood in the water. Remember that leaders aren't perfect, and they aren't always inspired either.

1. Is it true? Debatable.

2. Is it useful? Undoubtedly not.

[RMGuy]

1. Is it true? Debatable.

2. Is it useful? Undoubtedly not.

Boyd is that you?

-RM

[Vort]

Boyd is that you?

That is one of the nicest things you have ever said, though I am sure you meant it as a clever insult. I am honored to be compared with Elder Packer, one of the greatest men to walk the earth in our time. Thank you.

[RMGuy]

Not an insult, clever or otherwise. I just knew that you would get the reference, as you knew I would as well when you posted it. :-)

I usually respect your opinions Vort, even if I frequently disagree with them. We are brothers in the gospel. I might raze my siblings from time-to-time, but not insult them. I too love President Packer (though I wish we would refer to each other like we used to back in Nauvoo times....I love the sound of Brother Boyd, Brother Deiter, etc., but I digress), I'm not a particular fan of that quote of his, but I get why he made it in the context he did.

-RM

[Vort]

Not an insult, clever or otherwise. I just knew that you would get the reference, as you knew I would as well when you posted it. :-)

I usually respect your opinions Vort, even if I frequently disagree with them. We are brothers in the gospel. I might raze my siblings from time-to-time, but not insult them. I too love President Packer (though I wish we would refer to each other like we used to back in Nauvoo times....I love the sound of Brother Boyd, Brother Deiter, etc., but I digress), I'm not a particular fan of that quote of his, but I get why he made it in the context he did.

Other than being a fan of the quote -- for what I fear are obvious reasons -- I pretty much agree with what you have written here.

[Dark_Jedi]

In my time in the bishopric I had the opportunity to sit on several "Bishop's Courts" (I think they shy away from calling them that now) and one at the stake level. Unlike our criminal and civil court system in the US, these councils are not adversarial. Those present (including you) may ask any questionbut they are meant to help gain an understanding of the wrong committed, the level of remorse/repentence (and commitment to repent), and the general demeanor of the person. I'm not speaking out of turn when I say that the discussion that takes place after the person has been dismissed centers on those things (at least in the cases I was present for). So, honesty on your part is essential. Don't be surprised if you are asked to bear your testimony. You might be able to decieve them, but I wouldn't recommend it.

FWIW, I don't totally disagree with RMGuy. Humans make human mistakes, and some humans have agendas. In the stake council I sat on there was clear and obvious disagreement on the part of some of the participants with the decision of the stake presidency.

[All_Apologies]

Yeah, I'm sure church leaders make mistakes. For instance, years ago, one time, for some unknown reason, the bishop asked me three times if I'd done any sort of sexual sin. I had not. But I did think it was odd that he would ask me this. I wasn't even thinking of committing a sexual sin. I kept answering no to his questions. So, I just figured maybe he was asking some uninspired questions of me.