A Court of Love... it may not be what you think...
I would like to begin this post by apologizing for its lateness. I have been busy with things in life this past week and do not believe that it will lighten up in the immediate future. Furthermore, I will attempt to make, at the very least, a reblog of things I find useful during the week that I read. I began writing an article on love, specifically the love of God, and how it is supposed to be a large part of our lives as children of Hashem. I am unapologetically a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Messianic Jew. Likewise, I have been a Rabbi for many years and seek only in my teachings to bring people to the never-ending, ever-reaching love of our Elohim. I listen to and follow many podcasters and bloggers who are coming from positions of being both current active members who are True Blue Members (TBM) all the way to those who are antagonistically ex-members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have friends who have been excommunicated for believing things that the church disagrees with and having interviewees on their podcasts who have views or opinions that are in opposition to the current positions of the church. Yes, you read that right; they interviewed someone who disagreed with the church and got excommunicated over it. I would say more, but there are so many who would not want their stories to be made public and others with whom my telling would give away my identity within the church. That aside, I would like to take a moment of your time and look for a minute at these "Courts of Love."
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon), the topic of excommunication often stirs deep feelings and conversations. As the church evolves, finding the right balance between upholding doctrine and fostering an environment of love and forgiveness is more important than ever.
Excommunication serves several key purposes within the church. It aims to:
Uphold Moral Standards: Excommunication is typically reserved for serious sins like adultery or apostasy. This practice reflects the church's commitment to maintaining spiritual integrity within the community.
Encourage Repentance: Rather than being purely punitive, excommunication is meant to lead individuals toward repentance. The hope is that those who are excommunicated will recognize their need for healing and eventually return to the community.
Reinforce Doctrine: By taking action against serious transgressions, the church reaffirms its commitment to core beliefs.
Joseph Smith once expressed, "I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine... It feels so good not to be trammeled" (Discourse, April 8, 1843). This sentiment highlights a historical tension within the church between strict doctrine and individual belief.
Joseph Smith’s emphasis on personal agency suggests that excommunication for differing beliefs should be approached thoughtfully. Members should feel free to question and explore their faith without fear of punishment. As Smith noted, "It doesn’t prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine."
In our modern times, things may be a little more nuanced than in the 1800s, however, especially with the amount of information readily available to the casual historian and part-time theologian. Consider a scenario where a member expresses concerns about church practices on a podcast, sharing their views and concerns without the intent of leading others away from their faith. How should the church respond?
Encourage Dialogue: The church could create spaces for open discussion, allowing members to express differing viewpoints respectfully. This approach aligns with Christ's teachings of love and understanding.
Listen and Understand: Church leaders might reach out to the individual to gain a deeper understanding of their perspective. Listening to concerns shows that the church values its members' voices, even when they differ from official teachings.
Provide Educational Resources: Offering clear materials that explain church teachings can help address misconceptions and foster informed conversations among members.
Avoid Immediate Punitive Measures: Instead of rushing to excommunicate, church leaders should consider the intent behind the member's statements. If their views do not lead others away from faith, a more measured approach may be warranted.
Promote Respectful Disagreement: Fostering an environment where differing opinions are respected can help members feel safe sharing their thoughts. Encouraging healthy dialogue reflects the principles of agency and love.
Public Statements or Clarifications: If certain concerns gain traction, the church might issue a statement addressing those specific issues. This approach can clarify the church’s position while acknowledging the concerns of its members.
Striking the right balance between maintaining doctrinal integrity and fostering a loving, supportive environment is crucial. Excommunication should not be a tool for silencing dissent but a last resort for serious moral issues. By embracing open dialogue and understanding, the church can create a community where all members feel valued and heard.
There is, however, another, foundational practice of Latter-day Saint theology that might at this point in time be considered as a potential for a resurrection. In fact, For nearly sixty years, in this dispensation, almost every member of the Church had experienced re-baptism, and some many times. From the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith to the turn of the century, re-baptism became an integral part of the teachings and faith of the Latter-day Saints. Certainly, then, it deserves more than a casual notice, or a passing glance, in the annals of Church history.
The reinstatement of re-baptism as practiced in the early days of the Latter-day Saint movement could be the shift in dynamics around excommunication that the church is desperately in need of. I do understand that when the church eliminated the practice it was becoming considered to be “overused” and perhaps onerous to the church for recording purposes, so they replaced it with the sacrament by order of the First Presidency in 1987 (Conference Report, October 1897, p68).
Given however that baptism itself is such an important ordinance as to have many verses in all the books of scripture and be practiced for the remission of sins, healing, for the deceased and in times gone by for rebaptism any time a member got a new calling, or got married or just felt that they wanted a new beginning, it might just be important somehow.
“And now I speak concerning baptism; Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.” (Moroni 6:1)
Here are some thoughts on how this might affect the church's reliance on excommunication for its stated purposes:
Potential Impacts of Reinstating Re-baptism
Increased Emphasis on Repentance: Re-baptism could serve as a tangible expression of repentance and renewal. This might reduce the need for excommunication as a corrective measure, allowing members to seek forgiveness and reintegration into the community without the stigma of being excommunicated.
Restorative Focus: If re-baptism were reintroduced, it could shift the focus from punishment to restoration. This aligns with the church's goal of encouraging individuals to return to faith, emphasizing healing over separation.
Encouragement of Accountability: A re-baptism process could foster personal accountability and encourage individuals to reflect more deeply on their actions and their relationship with God, potentially reducing the instances that would lead to excommunication.
Community Reintegration: The practice of re-baptism could provide a more immediate path for reintegration into the church community. Instead of a formal excommunication process, individuals might feel empowered to come back more readily if re-baptism were seen as a positive step.
In short, the reinstating of the ordinance of re-baptism could provide an alternative pathway for individuals seeking to return to the fold, potentially reducing reliance on excommunication as a disciplinary measure. However, the need for maintaining clear standards and the historical context of excommunication would still play a crucial role in how the church navigates these issues. Ultimately, it would require a delicate balance between compassion, accountability, and the preservation of doctrinal integrity.
As members navigate their faith journeys, the church's commitment to love, forgiveness, and restoration should guide its actions. Ultimately, everyone should feel empowered to explore their beliefs without fear of exclusion, reflecting the compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ.
I would like to extend my personal condolences to any and all members of the Church (or I suppose not Ex-Members of the Church) who have either been officially excommunicated or felt pressured to have their names removed from church records. At this time, I would also like to say that we are praying for and with you, Brother Nemo, as you go through your dark night of the soul as regards to your "Court of Love." We were there for the vigil, were surprised by the use of personal correspondence in your court and pray that the brethren involved in this process might feel the Spirit of the Lord and the Love that He has for you and truly come to understand that it is not His way to kick people out, rather it is His way to continue to love you and answer your questions.
https://www.mormonstories.org/excommunication-of-nemo-vigil/