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In my own life, I have brushed up against the feeling of being forsaken. Because of that, I do what I can to remember people as they go through struggles–all in an attempt to be there emotionally where possible. One of my friends who I’ve known for 20 years made some big mistakes and is in prison. Because of a jurisdiction battle (not in his favor), a 2 year sentence at the state level was thrown out in favor of a 16 year sentence at the federal level. He made a mistake–that much is clear, and he knows he did–but despite that, he is serving time in a California federal prison.
Of course everyone is devastated.
I have been writing him letters almost monthly for the past 4 years, and expect to continue to send letters to him for the remaining 12 years he is in prison. I don’t want him to be forsaken. The idea causes ME to feel shudders inside, and I will not do that to my friend.
In his prison situation, they do allow some of the inmates to participate in church services. They are working to create a small branch there, but so far unsuccessfully. However, they have made progress in having one of the stakes send 2 high council men weekly and have a short 2 hour service. My friend, along with 4 other inmates, was selected to help participate in those services. Now, my friend and one other in that group have been excommunicated, and the stake responsible for sending the high council members felt it was inappropriate for those 2 people to participate in any way with the service BECAUSE they were excommunicated. This controversy was escalated up the line, eventually finding its way to the Q15 level,…and a policy type situation appears to have resulted.
When someone is in prison, they ARE ALLOWED to participate in services, even if they are excommunicated people. They can say prayers, they can teach, they can speak. They can not take the sacrament, but all other things they are allowed to participate in.
My friend is elated. He feels like he can walk on water inside the prison…he FINALLY gets to be part of something.
I feel a sense of gratitude to hear this news–which my friend communicated to me by telephone yesterday, from the prison–with his once a month phonecall time.
It seems that the Q15 made a decision here that landed on the compassion and love side, turning over a long held policy about excommunicated people being excluded from everything.
Thanks for sharing Rob. I can relate to your feeling of brushing up with being forsaken – it is well worded. Thank you for your compassion in keeping in contact with your friend (“When you have done it to one of the least of these”). And I do appreciate the Q15 for this gesture. It would seem that most members in prison would be excommunicated, so how else are they supposed to repent if they are not allowed to participate? This is good of the top leadership and good of the local leadership there. Thanks for sharing Rob. I suppose that part of the reason for limitations on excommunicated people to participate is to not give the impression to the congregation that the excommunicated person represents the church. That simply would not be an issue in prison.
I am glad that there was some leeway found here and it was not supposed that the limitation was a hard and fast doctrinal rule.
When dealing with disciplinary matters, my motto was to “Always Error on the Side of Compassion” I’d much rather face the Savoir at judgment knowing I was too lenient that the other way around! Rob I love this so much. You are an amazing friend. I don’t want people to feel brushed aside either and I don’t do as consistent a job as I could. And I am glad to hear that the top leadership made a choice that is so joyfilling. This will give me my smile for the day. Rob, I admire your friendship and I am happy that he is allowed to be included. I’m gladdened to see a decision that makes sense to all parties, sometimes hope can be narrow strand, I’m glad your friends feels that small tug of hope.
Roy wrote:I am glad that there was some leeway found here and it was not supposed that the limitation was a hard and fast doctrinal rule.
While this is clearly not a widely known event, I think it does highlight the difference between doctrine and policy. This could be changed in this particular circumstance (albeit with an edict from on high) because it is mere policy. In a way this is really major – what keeps it minor is its relative obscurity.
Reading this just makes me happy .. Happy that you are staying in contact with your friend .. And THRILLED that leadership at the very top chose compassion. More compassion. More kindness. Less judgement. The trifecta!
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