Exemplification Essay: Excommunication In The Mormon Church
Excommunication In The Mormon Church
Kate Kelly, a feminist, civil rights activist and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints, was recently notified that she might possibly be excommunicated, pending a trial in absentia. Ms. Kelly is being tried as an apostate, due to her vocal presence online and for begging the question- why can’t women have the same rights as men within the church? It is morally and ethically apprehensible to excommunicate a faithful and active member of the church, simply because the member is asking for growth, progress and equality.
Excommunication is considered the highest punishment that the Church can impose on its members. It consists of “…cutting the person off from the Church, so that he is no longer a member. Every blessing of the gospel is thereby lost, and unless the person repents and gains his church status again, he cannot be saved in the Celestial Kingdom.” (McConkie, 1979). Cause for excommunication includes apostasy, rebellion, cruelty to wives and children (just a hint of sexism), immorality, and “all crimes involving moral turpitude”. (McConkie, 1979).
The Mormon faith is known for several things- kindness, community, family, service, charity, sobriety, etc. But a …show more content…
She moved to Utah from Virginia, so this ‘Court of Love’, as members like to call it, will be held in absentia, meaning she will not be in attendance for her own trial. Additionally, the council is comprised of four men, and no others are invited or permitted to enter, save the accused. This is yet another example of the lack of gender equality present in the church. After voicing her concerns and questions regarding feminism and its rightful place in the Mormon religion, Kate Kelly faces excommunication by a trial held by men and men alone. It’s similar to a court case wherein a man commits murder, and the jury is comprised of the deceased man’s family members. Is this just? Is it
Kate Kelly, a feminist, civil rights activist and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints, was recently notified that she might possibly be excommunicated, pending a trial in absentia. Ms. Kelly is being tried as an apostate, due to her vocal presence online and for begging the question- why can’t women have the same rights as men within the church? It is morally and ethically apprehensible to excommunicate a faithful and active member of the church, simply because the member is asking for growth, progress and equality.
Excommunication is considered the highest punishment that the Church can impose on its members. It consists of “…cutting the person off from the Church, so that he is no longer a member. Every blessing of the gospel is thereby lost, and unless the person repents and gains his church status again, he cannot be saved in the Celestial Kingdom.” (McConkie, 1979). Cause for excommunication includes apostasy, rebellion, cruelty to wives and children (just a hint of sexism), immorality, and “all crimes involving moral turpitude”. (McConkie, 1979).
The Mormon faith is known for several things- kindness, community, family, service, charity, sobriety, etc. But a …show more content…
She moved to Utah from Virginia, so this ‘Court of Love’, as members like to call it, will be held in absentia, meaning she will not be in attendance for her own trial. Additionally, the council is comprised of four men, and no others are invited or permitted to enter, save the accused. This is yet another example of the lack of gender equality present in the church. After voicing her concerns and questions regarding feminism and its rightful place in the Mormon religion, Kate Kelly faces excommunication by a trial held by men and men alone. It’s similar to a court case wherein a man commits murder, and the jury is comprised of the deceased man’s family members. Is this just? Is it