Excommunication in the Mormon Church

I light of recent events, I have the following thoughts on the process of excommunication in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

First, excommunication from the Church is not a random, knee-jerk devise for stifling dissent or punishing the individual member. it is a seldom used tool. It is achingly considered after interviews, often many, with the individual involved and great efforts at conciliation. An excommunication is often heart-breaking for both the Church leader and the member involved. From the point of view of a Church leader, it is a step no one wants to take. It is an infrequent, extreme option. Direction is given to the member as to exactly what must be done to retain good standing in the Church. Obviously, it is, in most cases, traumatic for the member when excommunication is even considered as an option. The member involved is given time, usually months, to consider their actions.

Excommunication is not an option for those in faith crisis. Tests of faith have happened to many of us, myself included. A faith crisis is most often a step to increased prayer, study, examining one's heart and mind, usually resulting an increase of faith. Excommunication is not an option for those who disagree with opinions, practices or doctrines of the Church. Specifically, many Mormons believe in women's ordination and same sex marriage. Such views are not reasons for excommunication. There are wide ranging viewpoints in the Church and like most organizations we have those who are rigid, centrists and progressives. They all are welcome and make up the fabric of Mormonism.

Mormon may freely believe what is contrary Church teachings, but when she or he establishes a forum that advocates others follow, that can be grounds for excommunication. Hypothetically, if an employee of Huffington Post started a forum for the criticism the Huffington website, some supervisor would want to have a talk with them. If that individual increased their efforts and it was being found they were being paid by NPR to have Huffington readers go to the NPR website instead, that employee would eventually be fired. While some of the issues may be very different, the essentials are the same. If an individual tries to draw members of an organization away en masse, that organization will most likely and justifiably sever the relationship with the offending individual.

Lastly, excommunication in the Mormon Church is not a shunning. A person who has been excommunicated is encouraged to attend Church meetings, have interviews with their bishop, attend Church social activities and interact freely with members. The door is open for return. The ability to change and repent is not looked at as a downer, but the opportunity to renew oneself through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Admittedly, it is not an easy path. When the excommunicated member is reinstated, he or she is, however, received with great joy. I have known many who have reached this point. They have accepted renewed membership with joy. Obviously, some feel differently. That is a choice they make.