Two items on John Dehlin’s forthcoming disciplinary council

Despite my image in some circles as a heartless and mean-spirited fanatic, I take absolutely no pleasure in anybody’s excommunication.  I won’t feel any pleasure if that’s the result in John Dehlin’s case.

Sometimes, though, the decision of a church council merely certifies a departure from the Church that has already occurred.  And, sometimes, excommunication is a necessary step.

Here are two items from Stephen Smoot that were inspired by the announcement that an ecclesiastical council will be convened on 25 January 2015 regarding the status of John Dehlin’s menbership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

http://www.plonialmonimormon.com/2015/01/for-record.html

http://www.plonialmonimormon.com/2015/01/john-dehlin-faces-excommunication.html

And, if you’re interested in the background to this case, you might want to review the materials assembled by Dr. Gregory Smith and posted on the website of The Interpreter Foundation almost two years ago now, back in February 2013:

http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/gregory-l-smiths-review-of-mormon-stories/