Post Council Separation

At the end of the disciplinary council, there were a number of the high councilors who expressed their willingness to support me in what ever way I needed to help me get back to full fellowship within the church.  One of them was a counselor in BYU’s psychological services department, another had his own private psychiatry practice, and others were simply very kind men.  There was only one problem.  In spite of their expressions of wanting to help, they didn’t seem to understand what it meant to help.

Disciplinary Council Part 2

Before the first session of the council, I told one friend about my situation.  We’ll call him Al. (not his name, but he’ll find the moniker clever if he reads this.)  It took me a long time to tell him.  We code named the discussion so as to be able to talk about things openly without others being privy to the true nature of the conversation.  We would talk about existentialism. 

Church Disciplinary Council

The council convened on a Sunday at the stake center on the west side of Provo.  I showed up early, and it was a good thing too.  I don’t know if it was just nerves, or something I ate, but I spent some time in the restroom.  In a way it was better that way, as I was able to avoid sitting in the hall while people came in, that I didn’t know, who were going to be on the council.

Church Disciplinary Council – Prequel

Bishop Davis told me that he needed to talk to the stake president. He wasn’t sure if the situation warranted involving more than just himself and his counselors. He talked with the stake president, and was told that the level of disciplinary council needed would involve the entire stake presidency, as well as the stake high council. The bishop told me that the possibilities for the outcome of the council included informal probation, formal probation, disfellowshipment, and excommunication. I was not exactly thrilled about either of those last two.