Stacy.
At 08:42 PM 08/22/2003 -0500, you wrote:
Stacy Smith:
Has anyone ever witnessed an actual excommunication of someone else by this or any other church? ... Are they generally public or private affairs?
_______________
About 25 years worth of them in our Church, none in any other church. In ours, they are strictly confidential.
If the bishop obtains permission to hold a disciplinary council, it is usually held in the bishop's office with the bishop, his two counselors, a clerk, and the member. He must have permission from the stake president to hold a council. He may disfellowship or excommunicate any member of his ward, except that he may not excommunicate a man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood.
If a stake president convenes a disciplinary council, it is usually held in the high council meeting room. The stake president, his counselors, the high council (12), and a clerk participate, along with the member.
A stake president usually does not hold a council that a bishop can hold which, in practical terms, often means that a stake will hold a council for a man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood and who has done something serious enough for which he may be excommunicated.
Nowadays, the decision of a council is only announced to members if the person disciplined poses a threat to the Church, for example, because of apostasy. In that case, an announcement is made in priesthood and Relief Society meeting announcing that a member has been excommunicated for apostasy (if that is the reason) or for "conduct contrary to the laws of the Church." No additional information is given. An announcement is very rare. Usually nothing is said at all.
Usually disfellowshipment is sufficient discipline to help a member repent of most serious transgression. A member is only excommunicated when needed and usually due to serious and willful violation of covenants.
Larry Jackson
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