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ANNVER - The Bible says only two sins cannot be forgiven however in Doctrine and Covenants(latter-revelation) says when you repent, your sins will be remembered no more and become as white as snow. Why are former bishops, stake presidents, general authorities etc. after excommunication they are not allowed to serve with either primary or youth aged? i thought when someone repents of their sins and gets re-baptised into the church they have a clean slate therefore can serve wherever and with whomever? please if you can provide clarity around this concern together with LDS material.
JOEL - They have a clean slate with God and He will remember thier sins no more, but there may be members who could not support such a situation of having a previously excommunicated church leader as their current leader or the leader of their children, should that information be made known. Also, just because a person has repented and has a clean slate with God it doesn't mean that he is completely immune from falling into the same sin again during this life. Better to be safe than sorry and give the calling to someone else without a history of the behavior. Even though the person might not again serve in a leadership position in this life he can still be considered temple-worthy and obtain the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom, because God will know his heart and will know if he is truly worthy of it. You don't have to be a Stake President in this life to obtain the Celestial kingdom.
Elder Robert L. Simpson said:
Excommunication need not be the end of all hope. Although the mistake has been grievous and a serious violation of God’s commandments, a person who really loves the Lord and has the desire and the fortitude to now do right can most often reestablish his life and in due process and time may possibly qualify himself for the lofty and ultimate blessings of exaltation. (“What are the reasons for and the process of excommunication?” July 1975)
There are no publically available church documents that states specifically that excommunicated members cannot once again hold a leadership position. Each situation would be handled on a case by case basis depending on the nature and seriousness of the sin that was committed
One example of an excommunicated leader regaining a leadership position was the restoration of Orson Pratt in early Church history. He was an apostle, then excommunicated, then after re-baptism and restoration of temple blessings he was called to the position of apostle again. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that is the current policy.
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