The June 1

[Jeff Lebowski]

My younger brother, ItchyCoug (dermatologist), has given some interesting insight as a former bishop.

Itchy is by far the most orthodox in our family although I think even he would even admit that whether God exists is quite uncertain.

He was bishop of a Haitian ward, which is problematic in and of itself (white man from Utah leading a congregation largely of African descent).

In any case, he said that his stake president repeatedly instructed bishops that no disciplinary councils should ever be held for inactive members. He said that the point should be considered moot if the Mormon is not participating in Church at all. I thought this might put SeattleUte's mind at ease.

I think I mentioned this before, but my buddy was a bishop for the past five years. During the training his SP told him not to convene a church court except for the most extreme circumstances. The SP said that in his experience, these "Courts of Love" do more damage than good.

[Topper]

Yeah this would never happen in Texas!

Seriously though, at the time it just seemed bizarre to me. It was totally proactive on the part of the SP. Basically called him to repentance via a letter and when he didn't respond did the same thing with the disciplinary council. Like KK, he didn't show or even respond in any way. Great way to ensure somebody inactive NEVER comes back.

The excommunication patterns have been inconsistent over the years. (IIRC, JS ex'ed a few people but then welcomed them back quickly). Remember, Oliver Cowdery's excommunication was done incorrectly. But even over recent times, the philosophies have ebbed and flowed. The concept of excommunication is nonsensical and related to traditions of Medieval times from a tradition we appear to reject. (Yes, I am aware of some modern scripture which is used to justify it).

[Topper]

I think I mentioned this before, but my buddy was a bishop for the past five years. During the training his SP told him not to convene a church court except for the most extreme circumstances. The SP said that in his experience, these "Courts of Love" do more damage than good.

That is consistent with what I have heard most of the time. Every once in a while you have a hard-nosed SP, but most seem to discourage them.

[YOhio]

This is really interesting. Any more stories of friends/relatives who are bishops and the direction they were given re: church courts?

[Dwight Schr-ute]

I think I mentioned this before, but my buddy was a bishop for the past five years. During the training his SP told him not to convene a church court except for the most extreme circumstances. The SP said that in his experience, these "Courts of Love" do more damage than good.

But, but, but...

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...ges-lives.html

[Donuthole]

The SP said that in his experience, these "Courts of Love" do more damage than good.

But, but, but...

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...ges-lives.html

Case in point:

Then it was Carl's turn. . . "About a box of Kleenex later, I finally finished," he said.

[Jeff Lebowski]

But, but, but...

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...ges-lives.html

Yeah, with the articles and essays like this I have seen in the past two weeks, it is a wonder we don't all rush out and demand our own court of love.

[Jeff Lebowski]

This is really interesting. Any more stories of friends/relatives who are bishops and the direction they were given re: church courts?

Sorry.

[FMCoug]

This is really interesting. Any more stories of friends/relatives who are bishops and the direction they were given re: church courts?

They are not called church courts anymore. That was deemed too harsh. Disciplinary Council is much more loving.

[Pheidippides]

Yeah, with the articles and essays like this I have seen in the past two weeks, it is a wonder we don't all rush out and demand our own court of love.

The link I shared a couple of pages back doesn't seem so stupid now, does it?

[Topper]

They are not called church courts anymore. That was deemed too harsh. Disciplinary Council is much more loving.

A person can only take so much love.

[Applejack]

One of the early NYTimes articles about the Kelly Affair stated that the LDS church ex-communicates "approximately" 2,000 people annually. It's hard to gauge how they came up with that number, but if it's in the ball park then there are certainly a lot of inactive ex-communications happening. Unless there are a lot of under the radar ex-ings of active mormons going on.

[Topper]

One of the early NYTimes articles about the Kelly Affair stated that the LDS church ex-communicates "approximately" 2,000 people annually. It's hard to gauge how they came up with that number, but if it's in the ball park then there are certainly a lot of inactive ex-communications happening. Unless there are a lot of under the radar ex-ings of active mormons going on.

With millions of active members, ex'ing people for adultery, that number wouldn't surprise me.

[Omaha 680]

One of the early NYTimes articles about the Kelly Affair stated that the LDS church ex-communicates "approximately" 2,000 people annually. It's hard to gauge how they came up with that number, but if it's in the ball park then there are certainly a lot of inactive ex-communications happening. Unless there are a lot of under the radar ex-ings of active mormons going on.

I don't know. There are over 3,000 stakes and over 500 districts.

[FMCoug]

One of the early NYTimes articles about the Kelly Affair stated that the LDS church ex-communicates "approximately" 2,000 people annually. It's hard to gauge how they came up with that number, but if it's in the ball park then there are certainly a lot of inactive ex-communications happening. Unless there are a lot of under the radar ex-ings of active mormons going on.

In my admittedly limited experience this is the case. Most excommunications are deep dark secrets known to very few.