The FAIR Mormon blog is featuring two interviews by those who have closely experienced disciplinary councils.
They write: “This episode will feature two interviews, one with Barbie Berg, who wrote the article The Truth about an LDS Disciplinary Council. The other is by Allen Wyatt, with his article simply entitled Excommunication. This episode is, in some ways, a response to the events and discourse surrounding the very public church discipline hearing for Kate Kelly.”
“Both of these articles and authors were chosen because, over the course of the weeks surrounding the public announcement of Kellys forthcoming church disciplinary council and Dehlins possible council, there has been a lot of commentary regarding their circumstances. It is my opinion that much of what was said fell short of the true nature, spirit, and purpose of church disciplinary councils, and I felt it was important to re-align the discourse. It also my opinion that these two articles share a valuable perspective that should be taken into consideration when absorbing and discussing all church disciplinary councils, not just the Kate Kelly scenario.
Barbie Berg: Article The Truth about an LDS Disciplinary Council
Based on her personal experience with going through a disciplinary council as a younger female as well as her testimony of the spirit that accompanies these councils.
Allen Wyatt: Article Excommunication
“Allen served as a bishop from February 2006 until October 2012. He also served as a branch president, as a counselor in at least three different bishoprics, as a stake executive secretary, and on a high council. In all those positions Allen had the opportunity to sit in on disciplinary councils.
“He wrote his article because he was seeing so much vitriol directed against the bishops and stake presidents involved in these matters that he felt someone needed to stand up and say, “no, this is the way it really is.” His article describes just one of the councils that happened to involve the excommunication of a sister.”
