Help me understand excommunication

[TalkativeIntrovert]

As a convert I know nothing about this. This is purely for information - I am not heading there!!!

I have been reading here that being excommunicated can be a good thing, I don't understand that.

Can someone please give me a quick run down in simple terms of why, how, recovery, etc?

[Praetorian_Brow]

Its like when a girlfriend dumps you because they want you to improve yourself, except in this case, the church actually tells you that you need to.

Its supposed to be a wake up call, that whatever someone did, they need to realize the severity of their actions and the consequences.

[Smudge]

In addition if you are excommunicated then you can in time be baptised again - thus giving you the chance to wipe your slate clean and start again.

[Anddenex]

As a convert I know nothing about this. This is purely for information - I am not heading there!!!

I have been reading here that being excommunicated can be a good thing, I don't understand that.

Can someone please give me a quick run down in simple terms of why, how, recovery, etc?

Well, very glad to hear you are "not heading there!!!"

When we consider disciplinary actions provided by the Church I think it is very important to understand first our covenant, a law is broken, and a punishment or discipline is provided.

In order for a person to be excommunicated they must have committed a serious transgression. They have, one could say, taken lightly the covenant they made with the Lord in the Temple. The majority of members, if not all, who have been excommunicated have been through the temple. They also probably served in positions of leadership. They probably committed the sin more than once before confessing. Thus, excommunication doesn't result from minor sins a person may choose.

Why is this good? Excommunication is to help the repentant serious transgressor to accept full responsibility of his/her actions.

1st - The hope is that the individual recognizes the seriousness of their transgression. In other words, such seriousness that they through their choice have removed themselves from the covenant.

2nd - As with any sin, the Lord requires certain actions in order for a person to be forgiven. Some sins only require a heart felt prayer. Some sins require speaking with the Bishop and entering into an informal probation. Some sins however require, a removal, a loss of the covenant and blessings. This is good, so that a person may come back into the fold once they have shown a sincere heart, or fruits of repentance.

3rd - Excommunication is the probationary time for a person to show fruits of repentance, in other words, they are ready and able to honor the covenants they made in the temple.

4th - The Church recognizes that excommunication maybe the only way to help an individual repent. Ever see an individual who doesn't "awake" to the awful nature of their choices until they actually receive a harsher punishment?

Hope this helps a bit.

[AngelMarvel]

It's probably just easier to give you this link. It really informative. LDS Ensign

I had that same question about a year ago and found that article. Explains it nicely.

Angel

[TalkativeIntrovert]

Thanks everyone - that was quick!

So how does the restoration process start, does the person need to contact the bishop? Does the bishop extend an invitation for an interview?

I read the article and it mentions a lot about the good, repentance, love, etc. One of my husband's cousins was ex'd as a young man in his early 20's (neither of them talk about it). He is very bitter as he believes it was not justified. Whatever the sin, there were a group of them doing it and only he was ex'd. My husband was sent to Australia to live with his sister, he thinks that saved him from being ex'd as well.

I have no opinion on the matter as I don't know anything about it, just wondering how he could make his way back, or if it is even possible when he is feeling that way. He has mentioned in the past that he would possibly go back, especially when I converted and husband and I were sealed, he still sees that as desirable for his family (his wife is a non-member).

[AngelMarvel]

I guess the restoration would start with the person that was ex'd. They would have to have a desire to come back. Talk to the Bishop. If he stopped going to church since he was ex'd, he would probably have to talk with the Bishop and prove himself worthy again. I really am not sure of the whole process....but, I would think if he left and now wants to come back that would mean he never went through any type of counsel with the Bishopric.

Hope it all works out.

Angel

[Anddenex]

Thanks everyone - that was quick!

So how does the restoration process start, does the person need to contact the bishop? Does the bishop extend an invitation for an interview?

I read the article and it mentions a lot about the good, repentance, love, etc. One of my husband's cousins was ex'd as a young man in his early 20's (neither of them talk about it). He is very bitter as he believes it was not justified. Whatever the sin, there were a group of them doing it and only he was ex'd. My husband was sent to Australia to live with his sister, he thinks that saved him from being ex'd as well.

I have no opinion on the matter as I don't know anything about it, just wondering how he could make his way back, or if it is even possible when he is feeling that way. He has mentioned in the past that he would possibly go back, especially when I converted and husband and I were sealed, he still sees that as desirable for his family (his wife is a non-member).

Excommunications are highly dependent upon the Bishop and the influence they are feeling from the spirit.

The first step is for the individual to speak with the Bishop and express his/her desire to once again fellowship with the Saints.

After that, it highly depends on the individual's bishop and their personal desire to fully repent of their wrong, and to accept whatever the bishop feels is necessary to bring forth fruits of repentance.

The most important aspect a person must recognize when coming back into the fold, after any informal discipline, they do not set the standards or items of what it means to fully repent. The bishop does. They accept them and honor them.

[andypg]

I have a question as a new convert. There are still things I struggle with and there are times where I fail. I have a fear of being excommunicated because of this.

[bytebear]

If you're working on overcoming your weaknesses, you are not a candidate for excommunication. It's when you choose not to live up to your obligations willfully. Then it becomes better that you are released from the covenants if you have no intention of trying to keep them.

[slamjet]

At the risk of going all hubris on ya, have a read of my blog (in my sig).

I was ex'd and after 9.5 years was just re-baptized this past June. It's very easy to become bitter with the church after such a drastic result but it is very possible to come back and I found it to be more than worth the struggle.

[TalkativeIntrovert]

Slamjet, thank you for sharing your story through your blog. I started at the first blog and have just finished the 3 parts of step 3.

Not sure what else to say except thank you, I had a few moments in there that hit me right where I need it.