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Excommunication Letter
By Steven Fales | July 2, 2010
Contrary to popular belief, I was not excommunicated from the LDS Church for promiscuity or immorality or adultery or heresy. I was tried in a formal Church Court for “the practice of homosexuality.” And I did not begin my work as a gay activist-artist until a good year after my excommunication. (I had a lot of anger to process.) After my Church Court I was sent the following letter from the LDS Church. The letter is very “nice”. I later took my appeal to the stage.
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake
Dear Brother Fales,
This letter will confirm the decision made at a Church disciplinary council held in your behalf on July 16, 2000, in the Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake that you be excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the practice of homosexuality. you should know that if you wish to appeal this decision that you may do so to the First Presidency through President Hunt.
Steven, we are most grateful that we had the opportunity to meet with you at this important meeting. Your honesty, openness, and the expression of your values and feelings were genuine and sincere. During that short time together we felt of your spirit and commend you for the devotion and dedication you have shown over your life to the Lord and His Church. We are saddened that your behavior has brought you to this point in your life.
Excommunication is the most severe Church disciplinary action. A person who is excommunicated is no longer a member of the Church. As such, you no longer have any privileges of Church membership. You may not wear temple garments or pay tithes and offerings. You may attend public Church meetings if your conduct is orderly, and we encourage you to do so. However, in such meetings you may not give a talk, offer a public prayer, partake of the sacrament, or participate in the sustaining of church officers.
We realize you are going through a time of confusion in your life where many voices are pulling at you. We testify to you that the voice of truth is always manifested through the Holy Ghost. Until recently, this has been the voice you have faithfully followed. That voice is still available to you and will continue to manifest the Lord’s plan of happiness to you if you will turn from your homosexual ways and follow the path of the Lord. You have the capacity to do this, Steven, and we pledge the support of your good bishop and our support in assisting you in this endeavor. The invitation of the Savior for you to come back to His Church is open to you. He will forgive you and make your life whole once again if you will repent and turn again to Him.
In the event you move from our stake, we are certain that your priesthood leaders in your new location would welcome the opportunity to get to know you and to be of assistance to you in your journey back into the Church membership. If you will please keep in touch with Bishop _____ or President ______, either one can connect your with your priesthood leaders regardless of where you may choose to live.
We express our love to you, Steven, and our support. We pray the Lord to bless you with personal strength and resolve throughout your repentance process.
Sincerely,
Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake Presidency
(I have omitted the names.)
Topics: Steven Fales | 5 Comments »
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
You have nothing to repent of, my brother. You are a spiritual giant and you are saving lives. Stay strong and continue your mission on stage. You are blessed and I am blessed to know you.
Namaste
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Serious question, Steven: In Mormon theology, if you are excommunicated, what happens to your ancestors who underwent the Baptism of the Dead? Are they affected by your actions? Also, does this invalidate a Temple Wedding into Eternity?
I know that from Catholic Theology, I am “a priest forever according to the Order of Melchisedech” but severance only affects one’s ability to function in communion with and as a delegate of the Institutional Church. To be returned to the lay state can never eliminate the indelible mark of ordination.
July 4th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hi, Roger. How is P-town?! I’ll come back next year.
About your question. Your excommunication make null and void any priesthood you were given as a male and it invalidates any saving ordinances. Your baptism is invalid. You would have to be re-baptized after an immense repentance and spiritual rehabilitation. It would take a minimum of a year to be re-baptized.
The dead folks that you may have been baptized for and in behalf, they keep their baptism. Why would god punish them for your transgressions?
As for marriage. Marriage is an ordinance of the most supreme in Mormonism. I believe this is gray. Because it involves your spouse. Upon re-baptism, most ordinances are restored when THEY SAY SO.
You are alluding to the fact that these are absurd questions to have to answer! And that much of Mormonism is absurd.
I believe Christ wanted it to be very, very simple. I don’t believe Jesus was a Free Mason. But Joseph Smith sure was. And he and Brigham Young were both expelled and took their resentments and green fig leaf aprons with them.
July 13th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I’m glad you have been able to overcome your anger and channel it into a medium that makes you happy.
July 27th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Kudos! Isn’t it amazing how the Lord’s Church has a structured bureaucracy that closely resembles a giant mega-corp? All sarcasm aside I’m sorry you had to endure this.
I like your point on not being involved in activism until after the excommunication. I’ve been inactive and non-believing for some years now and been supporting LGBT groups for a good while. I wonder if this is offensive enough to warrant an excommunication should I ever arrange a meeting with the Bish.
Very interesting blog! Very creative work! Keep it up!