Can a person who is now worthy, but has a had a disciplinary council in the past, be called to be a bishop?

Anonymous from Tacoma, 6/19/2009

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AllAboutMormons.com Webmaster from La Jolla, California:




I too must confess that I don't know the official church policy on this matter, but, based on what I do know about how the Church functions, I would be very surprised if a worthy man who had repented of past mistakes could not serve as a bishop.

There's a far better way to learn about Mormons! If you have questions, consider inviting Mormons that live in your area to visit with you in your home!

Pamela Dean from Clarenville:



When a person is undergoing disciplinary action, it is noted on his/her membership record. Following the successful completion of disciplinary action, the church reissues the person's membership record with the notes removed. If a person is ex-communicated, they must go through a period of at least one year of repentance before they can be rebaptized, and for men (not sure the timeline for women) another year of good behaviour and a successful application to the First Presidency before full priesthood blessings can be restored. During this time, the notes are changed to read something like "Restoration of blessings required", particularly if the person was endowed prior to the excommunication. Once the First Presidency has approved the restoration of priesthood blessings, another new membership record is issued, which contains no mention of the disciplinary action. Presumably, this would mean that the person is now eligible to hold any calling, having fulfilled the requirements of the repentance period and shown that they have truly repented.

That being said, there are instances whereby annotations to the file can never be removed without First Presidency consent, even after rebaptism and restoration of priesthood blessings, such as those that relate to a repeated pattern of serious transgression and disciplinary actions. Of note would be those that due to the nature of the trangression, place other members at risk - child abuse, incest, murder, and leading others to apostasy are ones of note. Even though these people *may* be rebaptized and *may* have the priesthood restored, it is highly unlikely they would be called to positions of authority. On rare occasions, a person's transgressions are so great and so repetitive over such a period of time that the notation on their membership record indicates that they should never be rebaptized.

(This information is taken from explanations given to me by church leaders during the excommunication of my first husband and in no way is meant to be the final authoritative word on the matter.)

Webmaster: Awesome information. Thanks.

Richard from Provo:


This is a very good question and I don't think that through the internet the answer it so be found. I feel that this question is best taken to a bishop or if you don't receive the answer you feel you should go to a member of your stake presidency.

As is my understanding post diciplanary counsel the person will be put in a position where all of the blessing offered by our father in heaven can be their again, upon further proof of faithfullness.. Including restoration of holding the priesthood, going through the temple to recieve your own endowments and even being sealed to a mate of your choice.

I have felt post my diciplinary counsel and my worthiness restored, my ward has been more then seeking to use me in callings. I'm not a bishop yet, but that's because the bishop we have is wonderful and there is no need to replace him, but when I move and attend a new ward that has need of a bishop.. God can choose to call me through his priesthood leaders and I would do the best I could for him and my ward.... But we're counseled not to seek after a possition but to simply ponder over callings ofered, study it out, and accept it if you are prompted to do so....

PS When a call comes from God you don't pick up the phone and hang up on him (metephorically) but you pick it up and do all that he asks of you, for him...
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