Actions to address a person's membership and standing in their congregation are convened after lengthy periods of counseling and encouragement to reconsider behavior. Ultimately, the door is always open for people to return to the Church.
A disciplinary council affords the person called to it an opportunity to repent, to reconsider, to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the center point of the Savior's teachings, and therefore, of his Church.
While Kate referred to this action as akin to "a funeral," repentance offers a renewal, a cleansing, and a hopeful process for all those willing to choose its path, to come closer to the Savior, and to return to full fellowship. If and when we repent, the only dying is to self-professed agendas. But as with many experiences in life, it may require that we put aside ourselves, admit that we are wrong, and change.
In this regard, since Kate seems determined not to change her position—based on recent comments to the press about moving forward with her agenda—such a change may not occur immediately. When these types of Church councils are held, though, the result is never a foregone conclusion.
What Is a Disciplinary Council?
The Church describes it this way:
The large majority of disciplinary councils occur at the ward, or local congregational level. For these councils, a bishop and his two counselors invite the individual into a private meeting that begins with prayer. The person is invited to participate in a discussion where the bishop and the individual describe the behavior and any steps that have been taken to repent. There is opportunity for questions and discussion, and the individual may ask that others give testimony on his or her behalf.
Following that discussion, the bishop and his two counselors meet privately to pray, deliberate, consider Church policies and doctrines and counsel together about the possible outcomes. They take into consideration many factors, including whether the member has broken marriage covenants; whether a position of responsibility or trust has been abused; the repetition or seriousness of the transgression; the age, maturity and understanding of the individual; the degree of the individual's understanding and evidence of repentance; and the interests of victims or family members. As the conclusion of this discussion, the bishop proposes a course of action, which must be ratified by his counselors.
At this point, the individual is invited back into the room, where the decision is presented and instructions are given about the timeframe, restrictions and conditions associated with the repentance process.
Those who have participated in disciplinary councils often describe them as some of the most significant, spiritual experiences of their lives. Deep feelings of love, sorrow, hope and gratitude for the Atonement of Christ are prevalent in these proceedings. The individual seeking reconciliation is supported and encouraged in every way to meet the conditions of repentance and to look forward to a full restoration of his or her membership.
A similar process may be conducted at a stake level by a stake president, his counselors and members of the stake high council. Stake disciplinary councils are required for men who hold the higher levels of the priesthood or Church leadership positions of significance and whose Church membership may possibly be ended through the proceedings.
What about the Church's position on gender equality? How are women viewed in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include the fact that women are co-equal to men, and have complementary and not competing responsibilities. They are invited and called to lead, teach, and participate in Church councils, and to exercise all the gifts of the Spirit granted them through baptism, receipt of the Holy Ghost, and subsequent ordinances (or rites of salvation). They are influencers for unlimited good and co-partners with God and their spouses, if applicable, in the work of redemption.
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