Quote:
Originally Posted by Solon
You don't have to bold the words with no commentary. Obviously, I read these verses since I cited them in my post.
And this scripture has to do specifically with adultery - if a man and/or woman is accused, the elders have a public trial (before the church). And the bishop is to be present. Again - this has nothing to do with confessing sins to the bishop in a private meeting.
You could argue that "before the church" refers to the elders - not the general membership (42.89). Fine. This has to do with disciplinary councils. Not with proactive "I need to see the bishop because I felt up my girlfriend" confession sessions.
There remains in my mind no scriptural basis for confessing to the bishop as an integral part of the repentance process.
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The church has interpreted that passage on adultery to refer to serious sexual sin in general, which in my anecdotal experience is the bulk of what disciplinary councils deal with anyway.
What you cannot circumvent is the very scriptural role of the bishop as the common judge in Israel. If you have committed a serious sin (i.e., one which could potentially affect your membership), the bishop is the first person in line to make judgments on worthiness, and that includes (in part) the repentance process.
Your final sentence applies insofar as the sin is not "serious" as I have used the term in this conversation. One does not need to run to the bishop to confess and repent of every little transgression, and the church does not teach this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death
One could make a case that we dont even follow the scriptures anymore. What we follow is the handbook of instructions. the scriptures are supplementary
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This is just foolishness. Of course the handbook is based on the scriptures, and whatever portions are not
directly scriptural are supported by the concept of continued revelation and inspiration to a prophet.
Do we need to review the story about Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young's conflicting speeches on the scriptures, and how Joseph publicly settled the difference?