This article demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding that the rest of the world has about the Mormon church. Im sharing this not because I agree with it, but because I want to give a simple explanation before you find it yourself. This article is written under the assumption that excommunication is a way of suppressing dissent. This couldnt be further from the truth. The fact that the Church is excommunicating these individuals is obviously not going to stop them from sharing their opinions, as shown by the fact that these individuals are only getting louder in the face of their impending excommunication.. Excommunication is a way of releasing an individual from the covenants they made in baptism and other ordinances. This releases them from the blessings obtained from these covenants, as well as the serious spiritual consequences for disobeying these covenants. One of the covenants we make as members of the Church is to obey the commandments of God--one of which involves doing our best to obey His counsel as revealed through his prophets. Were not perfect; we just need to do our best. However, if an individual repeatedly ignores and actively fights against this prophetic counsel, they are not keeping this covenant. If they do not wish to change, excommunication is the Churchs way of releasing them from the covenant as a means of protecting them from the more severe spiritual consequences that would occur if they were still bound by that same covenant. It is not a way of silencing anyone or putting down dissent. It is a way of partially protecting an individual who does not wish to repent. After appropriate repentance, excommunicated individuals can be admitted back into the Church. Sorry for the lengthy post. I hope this clarified any confusion that may have been caused by the misinformed author of this article.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 23:57:37 +0000
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