Excommunication

In the teachings and administrative system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), excommunication is described as the most serious Church disciplinary action, representing the complete loss of membership and associated privileges.¹ Church materials describe this as a “loss of Church membership” used only when lesser actions are insufficient, with the intent of helping the person repent and eventually return.²

Effects of Excommunication

LDS leaders have consistently emphasized that excommunication carries full spiritual and institutional consequences. Joseph Fielding Smith, while serving as Church President, wrote that “every blessing is withdrawn and lost, and such a person stands just the same as if no ordinances had ever been performed.”³ Spencer W. Kimball explained that “excommunication is a complete severing of all ties,” resulting in the loss of membership, the Holy Ghost, priesthood, temple sealings, and all Church privileges.⁴

According to the Handbook 1 of the LDS Church, “a person who is excommunicated is no longer a member of the Church” and “may not wear temple garments or pay tithes and offerings.” However, such a person “may attend public Church meetings if his conduct is orderly.”⁵ The manual adds that “excommunication almost always lasts at least a year,” after which a repentant person “may be readmitted by baptism and confirmation.”⁶

Restoration through Repentance

Though excommunication is portrayed as the total withdrawal of blessings, LDS teachings hold that repentance can eventually lead to full restoration. Smith taught that “all blessings may be restored by and with the approval and authorization of the man who holds the keys—the President of the Church.”⁷ The LDS Church’s official news release also states that if someone who has lost membership “shows sincere and full repentance and wishes to return to the Church, they will be welcomed,” with rebaptism required.⁸

Theological Meaning and Church Authority

LDS authorities have presented excommunication as not merely administrative but as an act performed under divine authority. Kimball asserted that “the Lord has pledged to acknowledge the acts of his servants,” and that when Church leaders excommunicate someone, “it is as though the Lord had personally with his own voice pronounced the penalty.”⁹ George Q. Cannon, an early leader, declared that one who is “legally cut off from the Church of Christ” forfeits all rights and becomes “an alien to the covenant.”¹⁰

B. H. Roberts described excommunication as a complete loss of standing: the individual “loses his membership in the Church, with all the priesthood he holds, together with every other right and privilege that accompanies that membership.” Restoration requires undergoing the same ordinances as at the beginning, “by baptism and confirmation as at the first.”¹¹ Bruce R. McConkie connected the concept to the biblical term “anathema,” which he said meant “accursed,” applying it to those “cut off from [the] church.”¹²

Practical Consequences and Disciplinary Outcomes

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism summarizes that an excommunicated person “is no longer a member of the Church, and all priesthood ordinances and temple blessings previously received are suspended.”¹³ Victor L. Ludlow likewise stated that those who are excommunicated “may not partake of the sacrament, give talks or prayers, fill any callings, or contribute financially,” though they may attend public meetings and later seek readmission by “bringing forth fruits of faith and repentance.”¹⁴

Collectively, LDS sources frame excommunication as both disciplinary and redemptive—declaring that all privileges are withdrawn but that full restoration remains possible through repentance and rebaptism.¹⁵

References

1. Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2010), 59.

2. “Church Discipline,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom (Canada), accessed January 7, 2025, https://news-ca.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-discipline.

3. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3 (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956), 311.

4. Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1972), 178.

5. Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops, 59. Ibid., statement on garments and tithes.

6. Ibid., 59. Ibid., statement on restoration after a year.

7. Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969), 331.

8. George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, vol. 1 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 240.

9. B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 2 (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1930), 376–377.

10. Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 33–34.

11. “Excommunication,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 1 (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 387.

12. Victor L. Ludlow, Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992), 585.