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Excommunication in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) is quite rare, although it was more common in the earliest days of the Church. The process and rules regarding excommunication are rather specific. The process works like this:
When a Church member commits a serious sin, it is their responsibility to visit with their local congregation leader (a Bishop) to receive counsel and support in repenting of the wrong. The Bishop will discuss the act of repentance with the individual and suggest a course of action. The vast majority of issues discussed with a Bishop require no formal disciplinary action. For more serious sins, the Bishop may choose to quietly place the individual on probation, meaning that they should not partake of the Sacrament (communion) or attend special Temple worship services (different than regular Sunday services) for a period of time until the issue is resolved. For the most serious sins, a "Church Court" is convened, comprised of local Church leaders. The Church Court will meet together and with the individual to decide whether no action, disfellowshipment, or excommunication should occur. Disfellowshipment is a step slightly higher than probation and lasts longer. It means that the individual, while still a member of the Church, may not hold a position in the Church, lead congregations or classes in prayer, or give sermons during worship services. If the individual is male, their rights to perform the ordinances of the Priesthood are put on hold.
Excommunication is the most serious form of Church discipline and must be decided by a Church Court. Excommunication is only possible in cases of murder, adultery, plural marriage (polygamy), incest, having apostatized and become openly antagonistic against the Church, abortion, having a transsexual operation, attempted murder, rape, forcible sexual abuse, intentionally inflicting serious physical injuries on others, fornication, homosexual relationships, child abuse (sexual or physical), spouse abuse, deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, robbery, burglary, embezzlement, theft, sale of illegal drugs, fraud, or perjury. Those who hold leadership positions in the Church are held to a higher standard than recent converts or younger members. Teens and young adults are very rarely excommunicated for these behaviors, they are usually put on probation.
Excommunication, just like disfellowshipment and probation, is meant to be temporary. While excommunicated members are no longer members of the Church, they are encouraged to continue attending worship services and meet with the Bishop regularly to track their progress. Excommunicated members may be re-baptized and regain full fellowship in the Church if they choose to do so. The process would be the same as if they were a convert to the Church.
You can learn more about the rules and reasons of excommunication within the Church from the "Related Links" below.
What else can I help you with?
Why can't Mormon missionaries swim?
Mormon missionaries are discouraged from swimming because it is seen as a potential safety risk and a distraction from their primary mission of spreading their faith.
What actors and actresses appeared in M Is for Mormon Missionaries - 2013?
The cast of M Is for Mormon Missionaries - 2013 includes: Cameron Dean as Elder Dean Bud Watson
Do you refer to Mormon missionaries as brother or sister if you're not Mormon?
I suggest you just call them "Mr." or "Ms.".
Who was in the second group of Mormon missionaries to Hawaii?
Lorenzo Snow
When did Mormon missionaries first come to New Zealand?
1854
Can Mormon missionaries lie?
Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The "Mormon" church) do have the physical ability to lie, as they are human, but they are not supposed to lie. If their leaders find out they have lied they can be sent home.
What has the author Janis Hutchinson written?
Janis Hutchinson has written: 'Mormon Missionaries'
Is mission work taking place in Mexico?
Yes, specially among Mormon missionaries.
When can Mormon missionaries phone family and friends?
Mormon Missionaries may phone home on Mother's Day and on Christmas Day. They may also phone home when given special permission from their Mission President for special circumstances such as family emergencies.
What are the release dates for Independent Lens - 1999 Get the Fire Young Mormon Missionaries Abroad 5-9?
Independent Lens - 1999 Get the Fire Young Mormon Missionaries Abroad 5-9 was released on: USA: 23 December 2003
Where are lds Mormon missionares not aloud in the world?
Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church) are not allowed in nations which forbid them or where it is too dangerous to safely preach. Some countries (particularly Muslim nations in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa) will allow humanitarian missionaries but not preaching missionaries. Other countries (such as Russia) have strict rules about missionary numbers and activities. (In Russia church missionaries are called "volunteers" because their preaching outside of church services is very limited.)Nations which do not allow missionaries at all include China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea. Israel does not allow proselytizing missionaries but there are some who serve at the BYU Jerusalem center or do humanitarian work.
Who is missionaries?
This question may refer to the Missionaries of the Mormon Church; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mormon Missionaries are unpaid volunteers who actively seek individuals interested in learning more about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christians, they believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that God is our Heavenly Father. They believe this with such strong conviction (aka: Testimonies), that they volunteer to concecrate 1.5 to 2.0 years of their lives to serving a mission. Mormon Missionaries always travel in groups of 2 or more; two male missionaries are called 'Elders', even though they're 19 or 20 years old. Two lady missionaries are called 'Sisters'.
