| Jane,
Your counsel is correct. The woman should seek the advice of her
bishop first. Recent changes in the way the church is handling such
situations in which a person may jeopardize membership have highlighted
the position of repentance and forgiveness rather than retribution.
I am a high councillor in my stake and have seen this change in
operation. Someone summed it in a cute saying. It goes like this:
"Once it used to be easy to get out of the church and hard to get
back in. Now it is hard to get out, and easy to get back in."
Each person's case is viewed in light of itself. Judgments whether
to readmit or terminate a person from fellowship with the saints
is an involved, lengthy, prayerful, and sacred process that invovles
not only bishops, but the High Council and the Stake Presidency.
It is only after much discussion, prayer, consideration, input from
involved persons, is a decision made.
I have seen the process take place and can attest that the climate
of these meetings,at least at the High Council level, is imbued
with spirit of Christ, Christian ideas of forgiveness, yet tempered
with a desire to balance justice and mercy as applied to what is
right for the specific individual.
It is a heavy responsibility to render such judgments and one which,
in my experience, each bishop, high councillor and member of the
Stake Presidency takes seriously, sacredly, sincerely and
compassionately.
Above all, confidentialty and the security of the information presented
is kept.
The Discipline Councils (previously known as Church Courts) are
indeed councils of Christian love where the impact of momentous
decisions upon people's spiritual life is readily recognized.
Noone who knocks at the Lord's door, asking for forgiveness, will be
turned away. I know this fact is true for I have experienced it.
And all of us at one time or another finds ourselves knocking at
his door in one way or another. Some for lesser sins, others for
more grievous ones.
Paul
|
|
I just want to add a comment.
I agree with what has been said so far, and want to make sure that you
know that God LOVES the sinner. He is merciful, and wants everyone to
repent in this life, before it is too late (see Alma 34:32-?).
The three parables in Luke 15 are an excellent example of his love for
those who have strayed. The prodigal son is the best known, and
probably the finest example of the love God has for the sinner who has
recognized the error of his ways, and has a desire to repent.
Christ also said "there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that
repenteth, than over a whole bunch of righteous dudes who do not need
repentance" - or something like that. If I had my scriptures, I could
have rendered a plainer translation...
Good luck, and know that whatever you have done (as long as you haven't
murdered anyone, or denied the Holy Ghost), you can be forgiven, and
be as though the sin had never occurred (Isaiah 1:18). In fact, you
will probably be stronger after repentance than you were before (Ether
12:26).
Jim
|
| Hi Jim,
Thanks for the kind words. FYI, I sent my friend a letter shortly
after I entered this note and outlined what I felt she should do. I
felt that she should indeed see the Bishop and tell him and ask
Heavenly Father for forgiveness. I haven't heard back from her as yet
and hope that she is ok. You never know how these things will turn
out, but I hope that she has done the right thing.
Thanks for your input,
Jane
|