I've know someone whose been excommunicated twice and re-baptized both times. He then did the same thing again but no action was taken. Someone told me it was because if your x'd 3 times you can't be baptized again.
Does anyone know what the rules are? I have a feeling this guys, friends and family begged for him to not be x'd for the 3rd time.
...when it's in the interest of the church to have someone a member, like if there's a pile of tithing to be had; or if there's a good story of repentance, forgiveness and redemption the church can use to make itself look good.
That is a great question. I would imagine there have not been many cases of more than one. But, I would be interested in knowing that. I am not aware that there is an exact number.
My sister had a friend who slept around and was excommunicated twice. She was re-baptized both times and later married in the temple to a guy who was led to believe she was a virgin. However, she was single and the guys were single, so I'm not sure why she wasn't disfellowshipped instead - she hadn't been through the temple nor had either of her partners. One wasn't even LDS.
On the other hand, I had a friend who was married with four kids, temple marriage and everything to an RM when she cheated on him and she was only disfellowshipped.
My point is, I don't think anyone knows what is going on. The CHI may say certain things and set down certain rules, but rogue bishops seem to be able to break them if they want to, based on their "discretion" and the "whisperings of the spirit" obviously. (sarcasm alert)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2012 11:26PM by CA girl.
My father was ex'd for infidelity in the late 80's, then disfellowshipped in the mid 2000's when he was arrested at a rest stop in Indiana for jerking it in public. Both times he was on the high council when accused, and he has been welcomed back to full fellowship after his punishments were lifted. Yay.
As with everything else in the LDS church, it is all totally arbitrary. One guy does one thing, another guy does something 180 degrees. And guess what? Both guys are right! [Cheers go up.] The reason that it's okay in both cases is because both leaders are always "inspired." I've heard people say, "Yes, the stake president ruined their lives and they got divorced, but he was inspired to do it."
Ick. So, a pedophile is reinstated three times and all his "blessings are restored." However, a decent,law abiding member who chooses to leave on his own generally receives a letter or verbal warning from his bishop or SP saying that the decision to leave has eternal consequences and that he's forfeiting blessings. It's sick. I just don't get it.
Just reading my nephews letter on his mission and he said a guy wants to get baptized and he's already been x'ed twice. My nephew said that this is his last chance. WTF? Three strikes and you're out? How is that even a part of an eternal plan of progression and mercy??? Didn't Christ say something about forgiving a person 77 times (just to pick a random high number I would think). So glad I broke free from the chains of religion that use fear and guilt to control.
At least that is the way it USED to be, for regular members that were not extended elite special privileges like not getting ex ed at all after serious mis deeds. However in the more latter days of Massive membership hemorrhaging, LDS Inc may allow a lot more to keep / regain members.
Christ said a lot of things. According to MORmONISM, He is the cruel homicidal maniac God of the Old Testament AND the prince of peace of the new testament.
Even Commandments of God Almighty can be excused if it's in the best interests of the church, so these little handbook regulations and procedures are stretched and ignored all the time depending on circumstances and need.