32.

Repentance and Church Membership Councils

32.0

Introduction

Most repentance takes place between an individual, God, and those who have been affected by a person’s sins. However, sometimes a bishop or stake president needs to help Church members in their efforts to repent.

When assisting members with repentance, bishops and stake presidents are loving and caring. They follow the example of the Savior, who lifted individuals and helped them turn away from sin and turn toward God (see Matthew 9:10–13; John 8:3–11).

32.1

Repentance and Forgiveness

To bring about His plan of mercy, Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins (see Alma 42:15). Jesus suffered the penalty that the law of justice requires for our sins (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–19; see also Alma 42:24–25). Through this sacrifice, both the Father and the Son showed Their infinite love for us (see John 3:16).

When we exercise “faith unto repentance,” Heavenly Father forgives us, granting mercy through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Alma 34:15; see also Alma 42:13). When we are cleansed and forgiven, we can ultimately inherit the kingdom of God (see Isaiah 1:18; Doctrine and Covenants 58:42).

Repentance is more than changing behavior. It is turning away from sin and toward Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It leads to a change of heart and mind (see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 5:12–14; Helaman 15:7). Through repentance, we become new persons, reconciled to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:17–18; Mosiah 27:25–26).

The opportunity to repent is one of the greatest blessings Heavenly Father has given us through the gift of His Son.

32.2

Purposes of Church Membership Restrictions or Withdrawal

If a member commits a serious sin, the bishop or stake president helps him or her repent. As part of this process, he may need to restrict some Church membership privileges for a time. In some situations, he may need to withdraw a person’s membership for a time.

Restricting or withdrawing a person’s membership is not intended to punish. Rather, these actions are sometimes necessary to help a person repent and experience a change of heart. They also give a person time to prepare spiritually to renew and keep his or her covenants again.

The three purposes of membership restrictions or withdrawal are as follows.

Three Purposes of Church Membership Restrictions or Withdrawal

1. Help protect others

2. Help a person access the redeeming power of Jesus Christ through repentance

3. Protect the integrity of the Church

32.2.1

Help Protect Others

The first purpose is to help protect others. Sometimes a person poses a physical or spiritual threat. Predatory behaviors, physical harm, sexual abuse, substance abuse, fraud, and apostasy are some of the ways this can occur. With inspiration, a bishop or stake president acts to protect others when someone poses a threat in these and other serious ways (see Alma 5:59–60).

32.2.2

Help a Person Access the Redeeming Power of Jesus Christ through Repentance

The second purpose is to help a person access the redeeming power of Jesus Christ through repentance. Through this process, he or she may again become clean and worthy to receive all of God’s blessings.

32.2.3

Protect the Integrity of the Church

The third purpose is to protect the integrity of the Church. Restricting or withdrawing a person’s Church membership may be necessary if his or her conduct significantly harms the Church (see Alma 39:11). The integrity of the Church is not protected by concealing or minimizing serious sins—but by addressing them.

32.3

The Role of Judges in Israel

Bishops and stake presidents are called and set apart to be judges in Israel (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:72–74). They hold priesthood keys to represent the Lord in helping Church members repent (see Doctrine and Covenants 13:1; 107:16–18).

Often bishops and stake presidents assist with repentance through personal counseling. This assistance may include informally restricting some privileges of Church membership for a time.

For some serious sins, leaders assist with repentance by holding a membership council (see 32.6). This assistance may include formally restricting some privileges of Church membership or withdrawing a person’s membership for a time.

Bishops and stake presidents are loving and caring as they help members repent. The Savior’s interaction with the woman taken in adultery is a guide (see John 8:3–11). Although He did not say her sins were forgiven, He did not condemn her. Instead, He told her to “sin no more”—to repent and change her life.

These leaders teach that there is “joy … in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7). They are patient, supportive, and positive. They inspire hope. They teach and testify that because of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, all can repent and become clean.

Bishops and stake presidents seek guidance from the Spirit to know how to help each person repent. Only for the most serious sins does the Church have a set standard on what actions its leaders should take (see 32.6). No two situations are the same. The counseling that leaders give and the process of repentance they facilitate must be inspired and may be different for each person.

32.4

Confession, Confidentiality, and Reporting to Government Authorities

32.4.1

Confession

Repentance requires that sins be confessed to Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ said, “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:43; see also Mosiah 26:29).

When Church members commit serious sins, their repentance also includes confession to their bishop or stake president. He is then able to exercise the keys of the gospel of repentance on their behalf (see Doctrine and Covenants 13:1; 84:26–27; 107:18, 20). This helps them heal and return to the gospel path through the power of the Savior’s Atonement.

The purpose of confession is to encourage members to unburden themselves so they can fully seek the Lord’s help in changing and healing. Developing a “broken heart and a contrite spirit” is aided by confession (2 Nephi 2:7). Voluntary confession shows that a person desires to repent.

When a member confesses, the bishop or stake president follows the guidelines for counseling in 32.8. He prayerfully seeks guidance about the appropriate setting for helping the member repent. He considers whether a membership council would be helpful. If Church policy requires a membership council, he explains this (see 32.6).

Sometimes a member has wronged a spouse or another adult. As part of repentance, he or she should usually confess to that person and seek forgiveness. A youth who commits a serious sin is usually encouraged to counsel with his or her parents.

32.4.4

Confidentiality

Bishops, stake presidents, and their counselors have a sacred duty to protect all confidential information shared with them. This information may come in interviews, counseling, and confessions. The same duty of confidentiality applies to all who take part in membership councils. Confidentiality is essential because members may not confess sins or seek guidance if what they share will not be kept confidential. Breaching a confidence betrays members’ trust and causes them to lose confidence in their leaders.

Consistent with their duty of confidentiality, a bishop, stake president, or their counselors may share such information only as follows:

• They need to confer with the member’s stake president, mission president, or bishop about holding a membership council or related matters.

• The person moves to a new ward (or the priesthood leader is released) while membership action or other serious concerns are pending.

• A bishop or stake president learns that a Church member who lives outside the ward or stake may have been involved in a serious sin.

• It is necessary to disclose information during a membership council.

• A member chooses to give permission for the leader to share information with specific persons.

• It may be necessary to share limited information about the decision of a membership council.

To assist leaders in protecting others and complying with the law, the Church provides help from trained professionals. To receive this guidance, leaders promptly call the Church’s abuse help line where it is available (see 38.6.2.1). Where it is not available, the stake president contacts the area legal counsel at the area office.

In only one situation should a bishop or stake president disclose confidential information without first seeking such guidance. That is when disclosure is necessary to prevent life-threatening harm or serious injury and there is not time to seek guidance. In such cases, the duty to protect others is more important than the duty of confidentiality. Leaders should contact civil authorities immediately.

32.6

Severity of the Sin and Church Policy

The severity of a sin is an important consideration in determining the setting that will (1) help protect others and (2) help a person repent. The Lord has said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:31; see also Mosiah 26:29). His servants must not ignore evidence of serious sin.

Serious sins are a deliberate and major offense against the laws of God. Categories of serious sins are listed below.

• Violent acts and abuse

• Sexual immorality

• Fraudulent acts

• Violations of trust

• Some other acts

When a Membership Council Is Required or May Be Necessary

Type of Sin	Membership Council Is Required	Membership Council May Be Necessary
Type of Sin Violent Acts and Abuse	Membership Council Is Required Murder Rape Sexual assault conviction Child or youth abuse Violent predatory behavior	Membership Council May Be Necessary Attempted murder Sexual abuse, including assault and harassment (see 38.6.18 for when a council is required) Abuse of a spouse or another adult (see 38.6.2.4 for when a council is required)
Type of Sin Sexual Immorality	Membership Council Is Required Incest Child pornography Plural marriage Sexual predatory behavior	Membership Council May Be Necessary Adultery, fornication, same-sex relations, and all other sexual relations outside of a legal marriage between a man and a woman, including sexual encounters online or over the phone Cohabitation, civil unions and partnerships, and same-sex marriage Intensive or compulsive use of pornography that has caused significant harm to a member’s marriage or family
Type of Sin Fraudulent Acts	Membership Council Is Required Financial predatory behavior, such as fraud and similar activities (see 32.6.3.3 if a member was involved in embezzlement of Church funds or property)	Membership Council May Be Necessary Robbery, burglary, theft, or embezzlement (see 32.6.3.3 if a member was involved in embezzlement of Church funds or property) Perjury
Type of Sin Violations of Trust	Membership Council Is Required Serious sin while holding a prominent Church position	Membership Council May Be Necessary Serious sin while holding a position of authority or trust in the Church or the community (see 32.6.3.3 if a member was involved in embezzlement of Church funds or property) Serious sin that is widely known
Type of Sin Some Other Acts	Membership Council Is Required Most felony convictions	Membership Council May Be Necessary Abortion (unless an exception in 38.6.1 applies) Pattern of serious sins Deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, including nonpayment of child support and alimony Sale of illegal drugs Other serious criminal acts

32.6.3

When the Stake President Counsels with the Area Presidency about Whether a Membership Council or Other Action Is Necessary

Some matters require extra sensitivity and guidance. To know how to best help, the stake president must counsel with the Area Presidency about the situations in this section.

32.6.3.2

Apostasy

Issues of apostasy often have an impact beyond the boundaries of a ward or stake. They need to be addressed promptly to protect others.

The bishop counsels with the stake president if he feels that a member’s action may constitute apostasy.

As used here, apostasy refers to a member engaging in any of the following:

• Repeatedly acting in clear and deliberate public opposition to the Church, its doctrine, its policies, or its leaders

• Persisting in teaching as Church doctrine what is not Church doctrine after being corrected by the bishop or stake president

• Showing a pattern of intentionally working to weaken the faith and activity of Church members

• Continuing to follow the teachings of apostate sects after being corrected by the bishop or stake president

• Formally joining another church and promoting its teachings

32.6.3.3

Embezzling Church Funds

If a member embezzles Church funds or steals valuable Church property, the stake president counsels with the Area Presidency about whether a membership council or other action may be necessary.

Selections from the General Handbook does not include full instructions and guidelines for counseling a person who has engaged in serious sin and, if necessary, holding a membership council.

If a bishop or branch president has questions about how to help someone who has committed serious sin (as defined in 32.6), he should first check to see if the full chapter 32 of the General Handbook has been translated into a language he can use. If it has not been translated, he should contact his immediate presiding authority for guidance.