SALT LAKE CITY – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will reportedly move forward with a disciplinary hearing that could result in disfellowshipment or excommunication for an LDS Church member who has been publicly critical of some of the LDS Church’s positions on social issues.
LDS Church leaders in Logan have scheduled a disciplinary hearing for January 25 for John Dehlin, who has become well-known for his “Mormon Stories” podcasts.
Dehlin has said he was told he would face either, “disfellowshipment (i.e., official censure) or excommunication (i.e., termination of my membership)” at the meeting.
Dehlin has created several podcasts that are critical of the LDS Church’s position on issues like ordination of women to the LDS Church’s priesthood and same-sex marriage, and he has expressed public support for positions contrary to those held by LDS Church leadership. He has also expressed doubts regarding elements of LDS theology and called for greater transparency regarding the LDS Church’s finances.
Dehlin stated in a news release: “While my family and I would prefer to be left alone by LDS church leadership at this time, I would much rather face excommunication than disavow my moral convictions. In the coming weeks, months, and years ahead, it is my intent to provide increased support to Mormons who are transitioning away from orthodoxy.”
The full statement from Dehlin, which includes a breakdown of the issues that he has presented that the LDS Church considers to be apostasy, is available here.
Another high-profile disciplinary hearing was held last year for Ordain Women co-founder Kate Kelly. That hearing resulted in her excommunication, click here for details.
