By virtue of my position, I became aware of a penitent member who went to a council, confessed his transgression, and received the harshest penalty which that council could issue. The member was compliant yet crushed. To compound the problem, one of the bishopric disclosed both the occurrence of the council and the decision of the council. By virtue of the profile of the member it became instant fodder for the gossip mill. Again the affected member was further crushed, yet none came to the member's assistance or support.

The fire and brimstone members probably believe this member got what was coming to him. I have pause to wonder if the member wouldn't be benefitted more with compassion, not disclosure and mean-spiritedness. It seems it is the goal of some members, even those who become leaders. The lack of compassion for transgressors concerns, even those may deserve some condemnation. This weighs upon me heavily. I never wish to be God's executioner, but if I could assist him in healing that would be fine by me. It seems some cherish the opportunity to be an executioner.

What a remarkably unfair representation.

What post(s) in this thread would give you that impression???? I even posted against "sentencing guidelines" in this thread because it would likely rob mercy rather than justice.

You do not perceive your public persona as that of a bad ass? I'd wager a fair number of posters might perceive you as such. Perhaps it is one you do not wish to cultivate.

At least in certain quarters, you are perceived as a Company Man, in light of your tireless defense of Republican politics, some comments you've made regarding torture, and your tireless defense of the infallibility of leadership. In one sense, your loyalty is admirable; but in another, it plays as a pure company man.

Perhaps it's not fair, but that's the public persona.

It's truly amazing that you can find a way to drag torture and politics into a thread with which it has nothing to do... all to take a cheap shot at someone with whom you disagree.

The very act of making public the outcome of a disciplinary council, followed by the marginalization of the repentant confessor, is nothing more than institutional voyeurism. Do you think that the nature of Mormon wards makes this a more common practice? I wonder why some people take joy in the misfortune of others - it seems to be the antithesis of the Savior's message.

Several years ago, I was made aware of a missionary sent home early because he came forward and confessed a sexual sin to his mission president. He could not handle the public shame and the outright cruelty of his home ward and subsequently took his own life. There are probably many similarly tragic incidents.

Like you, I too take comfort in the premise we should be part of the healing, not the 'eye for an eye' aspect of forgiveness. Life is too fragile.

You believe the entire body of work is not worth considering? If not, I stand corrected.

Your public persona is one of a histrionic woman.

I don't think my position in the torture discussion has anything remotely to do with my position in this discussion. Connecting the two takes a cognitive leap that could span continents.

But enough narcissism. People can judge my comments for themselves.

Evidently, they can't; as evidenced by Archaea's comments the last two pages.