Mormons confessing to their bishops?

[thomasf]

A friend of mine is mormon, he converted a few years ago. He claims that he goes to his bishop and confesses his ‘worst’ sins to him. I have never heard of this being done by mormons and I wonder if this is common. My friend was not a catholic before he converted, but claims that this is equal to the sacrament of confession done in the catholic church. Although i’m not sure if he claims that the Bishop has the power to forgive him as a priest does, which leads me to question why he does this at all.

I for one would not feel comfortable with this, even if I was a mormon.

 

[why_me]

A friend of mine is mormon, he converted a few years ago. He claims that he goes to his bishop and confesses his ‘worst’ sins to him. I have never heard of this being done by mormons and I wonder if this is common. My friend was not a catholic before he converted, but claims that this is equal to the sacrament of confession done in the catholic church. Although i’m not sure if he claims that the Bishop has the power to forgive him as a priest does, which leads me to question why he does this at all.

I for one would not feel comfortable with this, even if I was a mormon.

This is true. Mormons do go to their bishop for ‘mortal’ sins. Usually these sins are of a sexual nature: adultery, fornication and I am sure that there are other sins that need confessing. But the less serious sins are confessed to god and not to the bishop.

Whereas in the catholic church, all sins should be confessed to the priest. I think that for mormons it becomes a step in the process. A bishop cannot forgive sins but he can offer a recourse a action on the way toward the lord’s forgiveness.

At least that is my understanding.

 

[Mom_of_5]

Once a year Mormons are called to the Bishops office to have a personal talk. The Bishop asks questions and the answers determine whether or not the member can have a temple recommend. This is like going to confession, in many ways and the punishment given for a serious offense is no temple recommend for that year. Tithing is a huge thing with LDS. They mean real hard cash, not the time, treasure and talent we can put together for “tithe”. No tithe, no temple recommend.

The Bishop is a very busy man, he holds down a job (unless he is retired) and has a very heavy work load at the stake. He makes appointments for each individual meeting.

Love and peace

Mom of 5

 

[truthsilence]

whyme points out something very significant here for all who are paying attention. The LDS bishop does not have the authority to forgive sins. He does not hold the same Priesthood Jesus gave to the Apostles. It’s a wonderful thing to go in and get those sins off your chest but you may as well be talking to your best girlfriend. The mormon bishop has no authority from Christ.

 

[why_me]

Once a year Mormons are called to the Bishops office to have a personal talk. The Bishop asks questions and the answers determine whether or not the member can have a temple recommend. This is like going to confession, in many ways and the punishment given for a serious offense is no temple recommend for that year. Tithing is a huge thing with LDS. They mean real hard cash, not the time, treasure and talent we can put together for “tithe”. No tithe, no temple recommend.

The Bishop is a very busy man, he holds down a job (unless he is retired) and has a very heavy work load at the stake. He makes appointments for each individual meeting.

Love and peace

Mom of 5

I believe that you got it a little confused. Every year the members meet individually with the bishop for tithing settlement. This is where the member can check on his tithe for that year and see if all is correct on paper. Members should give an honest tithe.

What you are referring to is the temple recommend interview which is not required for all members but only for those who hold temple recommends. In this interview the member answers the bishops questions and if still worthy, gets his or her temple recommend renewed. Those without temple recommends do not need to have this interview.

 

[Mom_of_5]

I believe that you got it a little confused. Every year the members meet individually with the bishop for tithing settlement. This is where the member can check on his tithe for that year and see if all is correct on paper. Members should give an honest tithe.

What you are referring to is the temple recommend interview which is not required for all members but only for those who hold temple recommends. In this interview the member answers the bishops questions and if still worthy, gets his or her temple recommend renewed. Those without temple recommends do not need to have this interview.

My husband was LDS and was not active the last 15 years of his membership. The home teachers came every month, (I learned a lot from these gentlemen) even though hubby did not attend meetings. Every year the Bishop called him to come in to talk about why he was not tithing and to confess to the bishop. My hubby did not go in and refused to make appointments. Yes, he was told he needed to confess.

The home teachers were very nice men, I enjoyed discussing “the faith” with them, they gave me their “testimony”, I gave them mine. My husband sat in a chair quietly listening to the three of us.

He finally made the big break and had his name removed frjom LDS roles, joined the CC nearly 4 years ago.

Love and peace,
Mom of 5

 

[zerinus]

My husband was LDS and was not active the last 15 years of his membership. The home teachers came every month, (I learned a lot from these gentlemen) even though hubby did not attend meetings. Every year the Bishop called him to come in to talk about why he was not tithing and to confess to the bishop. My hubby did not go in and refused to make appointments. Yes, he was told he needed to confess.

The home teachers were very nice men, I enjoyed discussing “the faith” with them, they gave me their “testimony”, I gave them mine. My husband sat in a chair quietly listening to the three of us.

He finally made the big break and had his name removed frjom LDS roles, joined the CC nearly 4 years ago.

Love and peace,
Mom of 5

My dear lady, you know nothing about Mormonism, and what you are saying is not true. I suggest that in the future you confine your comments to something that (hopefully) you know something about (if that is not too much to ask).

The bishop invites ward members to his office once a year for tithing settlement, not to confess their sins.

It is a requirement that those Church members that have committed serious sins to go to their bishop and confess their sins; but that is something that is left up to the individual to decide. The bishop does not call people to his office to confess their sins (unless he already knows that they have committed some sins).

The purpose of tithing settlement is not to ask people “why they haven’t paid their tithing”. The purpose of the tithing settlement is firstly to ensure that the tithing records of the Church is correct; and secondly, for the individual to have the opportunity to declare whether he is a full tithe payer, a part tithe payer, nor a non-tithe payer.

All Church members attend tithing settlement, not just those who “don’t pay”. And it is not compulsory either. It is by invitation. You don’t have to attend if you don’t want to, and some don’t.

I look forward to tithing settlement with my bishop once a year, because there I have the opportunity to declare to my bishop (and to the Lord) that I am a full tithe payer; and he always pronounces a blessing on me for having done so.

May I suggest that in the future you confine your comments to Catholicism (about which you are probably equally uninformed), and leave the explanation of Mormonism to Mormons?

zerinus

 

[thomasf]

whyme points out something very significant here for all who are paying attention. The LDS bishop does not have the authority to forgive sins. He does not hold the same Priesthood Jesus gave to the Apostles. It’s a wonderful thing to go in and get those sins off your chest but you may as well be talking to your best girlfriend. The mormon bishop has no authority from Christ.

This was my point to him. And also, a priest is given a lot of training on how to handle confessions. And they hold what happens in the confessional in secrecy. They can’t, and don’t, discuss it with anyone else as a part of their priesthood. I’ve been told it goes in one ear and out the other, straight to God. As I understand it, the mormon priesthood is given to all males of certain requirements, with no training or special seminary requirements. Their bishop is just a guy who got tapped for the office. Who’s to say he’s not going to hold on to those confessions, and use those things against the members? I place a lot of trust in a catholic priest, because he’s been trained for years and years and the process of discerning that vocation. I have no problem trusting that my confession is going straight to God and that’s that. I am not sure I’d trust a bishop that never went through that kind of training.

But then again, I’ve been raised catholic. Maybe if you’re raised mormon you’re taught to trust a bishop. And maybe most bishops treat confessions as seriously as priests. But it seems kind of hollow to me.

 

[PaulDupre]

The bishop invites ward members to his office once a year for tithing settlement, not to confess their sins.

It is a requirement that those Church members that have committed serious sins to go to their bishop and confess their sins; but that is something that is left up to the individual to decide. The bishop does not call people to his office to confess their sins (unless he already knows that they have committed some sins).

Zerinus,

It is perfectly within the discretion of the bishop to contact inactive members, either personally or through the home teachers or the missionaries, and call them to repentance. Part of that call would be to invite them to have an interview with the bishop.

When I was a missionary and when I was in a bishopric we did it all the time. Now and again it even worked.

You seem to have had very little actual experience in Mormonism.

Paul

 

[zerinus]

Zerinus,

It is perfectly within the discretion of the bishop to contact inactive members, either personally or through the home teachers or the missionaries, and call them to repentance. Part of that call would be to invite them to have an interview with the bishop.

When I was a missionary and when I was in a bishopric we did it all the time. Now and again it even worked.

You seem to have had very little actual experience in Mormonism.

Paul

What you are saying is false. The bishop does not regularly contact inactive members to “call them to repentance”. His primary concern as far as inactives are concerned is simply to reactivate them; and that is not done by “calling them to repentance,” or by inviting to his office to “confess their sins”.

If someone is successfully reactivated, he is closely worked with by his bishop and home teachers to ensure that the process of his reactivation is an enjoyable and trouble free experience for him. If he has committed any sins, he is free to confess it to his bishop to get the matter cleared up, just as any active member of the Church would. No difference is here between an active or an inactive member.

zerinus

 

[exiled]

My dear lady, you know nothing about Mormonism, and what you are saying is not true. I suggest that in the future you confine your comments to something that (hopefully) you know something about (if that is not too much to ask).

May I suggest that in the future you confine your comments to Catholicism (about which you are probably equally uninformed), and leave the explanation of Mormonism to Mormons?

zerinus

Zerinus, why do you insist on being such a condescending bleep??

 

[zerinus]

Zerinus, why do you insist on being such a condescending bleep??

Because she is a continuing and never ending “bleep” about Mormonism (of which she knows nothing). It is about time somebody set her straight.

zerinus

 

[Ilroy]

I look forward to tithing settlement with my bishop once a year, because there I have the opportunity to declare to my bishop (and to the Lord) that I am a full tithe payer; and he always pronounces a blessing on me for having done so.
zerinus

WOW!!! This brings a bit of scripture to mind…
Luke Ch 18:
11* The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12* I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14* I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

[truthsilence]

This was my point to him. And also, a priest is given a lot of training on how to handle confessions. And they hold what happens in the confessional in secrecy. They can’t, and don’t, discuss it with anyone else as a part of their priesthood. I’ve been told it goes in one ear and out the other, straight to God. As I understand it, the mormon priesthood is given to all males of certain requirements, with no training or special seminary requirements. Their bishop is just a guy who got tapped for the office. Who’s to say he’s not going to hold on to those confessions, and use those things against the members? I place a lot of trust in a catholic priest, because he’s been trained for years and years and the process of discerning that vocation. I have no problem trusting that my confession is going straight to God and that’s that. I am not sure I’d trust a bishop that never went through that kind of training.

But then again, I’ve been raised catholic. Maybe if you’re raised mormon you’re taught to trust a bishop. And maybe most bishops treat confessions as seriously as priests. But it seems kind of hollow to me.

thomasf, it is a wonderful thing to be able to trust your confessor. It is how it should be.

I know Mormons who won’t confess their sins, because they know (particularly in cases of serious sin) that their name will be given out to organizational leaders of the ward. In some cases the name is read over the pulpit, causing all sorts of speculation as to what the sinner might have done. The men (and women) are as gossipy as can possibly be, sometimes.

I have also been told very personal things that members of the Bishopric learned in private meetings with people who were struggling with one problem or another. And then these Bishopric members went home and told their wives. I let these women know (it happened more than once), I wasn’t interested in hearing the gossip going around the ward. I’m not saying I have never gossiped. I have, and I’m not proud of it. Gossip is wrong in its many forms, but private meetings with ecclesiastical leaders should be strictly off limits.

 

[zerinus]

thomasf, it is a wonderful thing to be able to trust your confessor. It is how it should be.

I know Mormons who won’t confess their sins, because they know (particularly in cases of serious sin) that their name will be given out to organizational leaders of the ward. In some cases the name is read over the pulpit, causing all sorts of speculation as to what the sinner might have done. The men (and women) are as gossipy as can possibly be, sometimes.

That is not true. Once upon a time when someone was excommunicated, his name was announced from the pulpit; but that is no longer the case.

I have also been told very personal things that members of the Bishopric learned in private meetings with people who were struggling with one problem or another. And then these Bishopric members went home and told their wives. I let these women know (it happened more than once), I wasn’t interested in hearing the gossip going around the ward. I’m not saying I have never gossiped. I have, and I’m not proud of it. Gossip is wrong in its many forms, but private meetings with ecclesiastical leaders should be strictly off limits.

In my experience that is not the case. They are certainly not supposed to.

zerinus

 

[truthsilence]

That is not true. Once upon a time when someone was excommunicated, his name was announced from the pulpit; but that is no longer the case.

In my experience that is not the case. They are certainly not supposed to.

zerinus

Are you saying that the private matters of members are no longer discussed in quorum meetings, etc., either? I know some Mormons who’d be very happy to know this. When did this change come about?

And you’ve never had anyone tell you something they learned in a Bishopric meeting? I don’t know if I believe you.

 

[zerinus]

Are you saying that the private matters of members are no longer discussed in quorum meetings, etc., either? I know some Mormons who’d be very happy to know this. When did this change come about?

If by “private matters” you mean sins confessed to the bishop, the answer is no, and they never were. If by that you mean personal challenges that people might have, which they need help to overcome, that may be discussed privately with those who need to be informed, so that the individual can be helped. For example, if someone has difficulty giving up smoking, that may be discussed with priesthood leaders with the aim of helping him to overcome his habit.

And you’ve never had anyone tell you something they learned in a Bishopric meeting? I don’t know if I believe you.

No, never–not private matters of individuals.

zerinus

 

[Prince_Hal]

I was a Mormon bishop for 4 years and a counselor to a bishop for a year. Here’s my (name removed by moderator)ut to the thread:

· A Mormon bishop cannot forgive sins on behalf of the Lord, he can only do so on behalf of the LDS church. The president of the LDS church (“the Prophet” can however forgive on behalf of the Lord. In a book by a previous LDS Prophet – Spencer W. Kimball – this right is used very rarely, but he did it at least once.
· Sin to the LDS has 2 parts: offense against the Lord and offense against the church. Fornication for example is the breaking of a church rule and also a commandment. A Mormon bishop will say that a person who comes to him to confess still needs forgiveness from God and so therefore in their private prayers need to seek God’s forgiveness.
· LDS bishops are required to keep the confession confidential. However, often a Church Disciplinary Council is called where the Bishop, his 2 counselors and the ward / branch clerk are all in attendance. If the bishop has determined that the person’s membership is in jeopardy or where formal discipline is required, the individual who has confessed to the bishop will need to re-confess in front of this council. Sometimes the bishop will ask them to give the general wrong doing without asking them to go into all of the details. The sin is written down in detail, and a copy will go to the Stake President (the leader over a group of bishops in a particular geographical area), and a copy is sent to the Area Administration office and Salt Lake.
· It is my experience that sins do not always remain secret and there are whispers. If you do not take the sacrament, then it is often a sign that there is a problem. But, the men in the council have often been known to tell their wife. If a woman is confessing and has been summonsed to the council, then the Relief Society President (leader of the women’s organization in the ward) may also be told of the sin so that she can help the lady.
· One of the key reasons for the confession and the discipline is to ensure that the church remains pure and people who may be aware of the sin know that action is being taken and the sin is not condoned. Punishment may be that the person is told not to partake of the sacrament (LDS “equivalent” to the Eucharist) for a period of time – even if they have stopped the sin and confessed it. For example, one lady had committed adultery after years of abuse by her husband, she broke down and slept with a man friend, immediately confessed, stopped the sin, was genuinely heartbroken, and went to the bishop, and disfellowshipped and was banned from taking the sacrament for 12 months !!
· The LDS bishop is meant to have the gift of discernment to determine whether a person is really remorseful and indeed whether they have a confessable (to the bishop) sin.

I hope this enlightens somewhat. I think there are some Mormon bishops who genuinely try to be compassionate, but others simple are administrators trying their best and running the risk of dramatically and adversely impacting the spiritual life of the individual - I’ve seen it, and (to my shame) been part of the process.

God bless,

Hal.

PS: Zerinus. Please be polite in your posts. Your comments to “Mom of 5” were disrespectful and impolite. Be firm in your stance by all means, but don’t be rude.

 

[Prince_Hal]

Because she is a continuing and never ending “bleep” about Mormonism (of which she knows nothing). It is about time somebody set her straight.

zerinus

Zerinus,

How many bishop’s disciplinary councils have you been a part of ? Have you been a bishop, a councillor to a bishop or a ward clerk or executive secretary ? Have you been in a Stake High Council disciplinary meeting ? Have you been a high councilor or a Stake President or a Coucillor to a Stak President ?

Then you probably are unaware of these things. But trust me they happen and more often than you would like.

God bless,

Hal.

 

[exiled]

That is not true. Once upon a time when someone was excommunicated, his name was announced from the pulpit; but that is no longer the case.

In my experience that is not the case. They are certainly not supposed to.

zerinus

This is a far more appropriate response than the one to Mom of 5. “In my experience” is probably exactly what she was referring to when sharing her observations while her husband was a Mormon, which is why your post to her was so offensive.
Just like in the Catholic Church, you can cite Mormon doctrine that is clear, but that doesn’t mean each individual follows it without error, and perhaps the bishop she knew didn’t do as he was supposed to.