I fully concur with Marc on this one; especially these statements: A. As far as the Church is concerned, if the offender has paid their debt to society and undergone whatever action the Church authorities determine, then he is forgiven. Please don't misconstrue the word "forgiven" in this context, however. While Church authorities have the power to absolve the offender from punishment or other disciplinary actions, and allow that person full fellowship, it is the Savior who forgives and grants the remission of sins. Bishops and Stake Presidents do not have the authority to remit sins. Only the Savior (and perhaps a few of His earthly servants - like the Prophet) have that power. I believe, especially in the case of serious transgression, that the Savior desires to see proof (through one's thoughts, words, and actions) that they have repented (or turned from) their sins before giving them the sweet peace that accompanies true forgiveness and remission of sins. B. Use common sense. While the Savior taught that we were to love all men, he did not say that we were to TRUST all men. Trust is something that has to be earned. Hope this helps, Geoff
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 11/24/02 10:51PM >>> There is really only one question here that anyone on this list can answer, I'm afraid, and that is what the general policy is regarding people who have committed crimes. If they have paid their debt to society, and undergone whatever action the Church authorities involved determined, then that person is forgiven. The atonement is infinite, covering all sins except the sin against the Holy Ghost (there is another category, the shedding of innocent blood, which we are told involves some additional action, but I assume that neither of these sins is an issue). All the rest of the questions are ones which only you (or anyone else who might be thinking of dating or becoming friends with him) can answer. The only advice I'd dare give is just to use common sense and some caution. Observe how the person treats women when in a group setting, for instance. Trust is something that has to be earned, and sometimes it takes time. Stacy Smith wrote: > Hi. I hope this issue does not violate the charter. I have an interesting > problem. I have decided quickly not to date an individual with a criminal > sexual history in the past. However, he is a member in good standing. He > has a temple recommend. What is the general policy regarding people who > have committed crimes in the past? Is it possible to date those > individuals, to assume that they have repented and are in good standing > with the church? Do we assume the atonement has covered the > sin? Furthermore, what are we to do with the weakness that has been > shown? Can we trust such an individual? > > Stacy. > > ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// > /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// > /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// > ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// > -- Marc A. Schindler Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada -- Gateway to the Boreal Parkland “Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on” – Winston Churchill Note: This communication represents the informal personal views of the author solely; its contents do not necessarily reflect those of the author’s employer, nor those of any organization with which the author may be associated. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// -- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^^=============================================================== This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^^===============================================================
