Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:2, 5

"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

This chapter is about a man that committed fornication with his step-mother. Paul speaks of the need for him to be removed from the church. Instead of removing him the members were puffed up, being prideful, about the condition. I realized the importance of saying they needed to mourn. This is a sorry state for the man. Instead of encouraging him in his sin they needed to assist him in the repentance process. The deliver over to Satan and the destruction of the flesh is just what happens when there is a withdrawal of their membership and the gift of the Holy Ghost removed. The person doesn't need to stay in that state. They can repent and come back. This is a process where if they want they can be saved.

“In the scriptures, the Lord has given direction concerning Church disciplinary councils. (See D&C 102.) The word council brings to mind a helpful proceeding—one of love and concern, with the salvation and blessing of the transgressor being the foremost consideration.

“Members sometimes ask why Church disciplinary councils are held. The purpose is threefold: to save the soul of the transgressor, to protect the innocent, and to safeguard the Church’s purity, integrity, and good name. …

“… The miracle of the gospel is that we all can repent. Church government calls for Church disciplinary councils. But the Lord’s system also calls for restoration following repentance. Disfellowshipment or excommunication is not the end of the story, unless the member so chooses”

(President M. Russell Ballard, “A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings,” Ensign, Sept. 1990, 15, 18).

Day 3226