Mormonism and Church discipline

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Mormonism and Church discipline

Gospel Topics (lds.org), "Church Disciplinary Councils"

Gospel Topics (lds.org)

Bishops and branch presidents and stake, mission, and district presidents have a responsibility to help members overcome transgression through repentance. The most serious transgressions, such as serious violations of civil law, spouse abuse, child abuse, adultery, fornication, rape, and incest, often require formal Church discipline. Formal Church discipline may include restriction of Church membership privileges or loss of Church membership.

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Topics

Purpose of Church discipline

Summary: What is the purpose of Church discipline?

"Court of Love"

Summary: Some often refer to a Church disciplinary council as a "Court of Love." Where did this term originate and what does it mean?

Publicizing excommunication

Summary: Why does the Church not publicize the reasons for excommunication?

Strengthening Church Members Committee

Summary: The Strengthening Church Members Committee has been described as a "clipping service" which kept track of public statements by Church members who openly criticized the Church in the media. Although a "clipping service" probably made sense back in 1985, in the internet-rich world of 2013 it seems somewhat anachronistic. Critics of the Church have accused the committee of spying on members in order to move forward with Church discipline.

Church discipline of scholars

Jump to Subtopic:

• Does the Church excommunicate scholars who publish historical information?

Further reading and additional sources responding to these claims