Do Church Leaders encourage divorcing apostate partners?

[_Bazooka]

Eva was encouraged by her ecclesiastical leaders to leave her ‘apostate’ husband. After divorce and leaving the LDS Church on her own, they are together again and happier than ever before.

http://www.iamanexmormon.com/page/4/

[_Aristotle Smith]

Officially, no. However, there are a number of "independent operators" in positions of authority at the local level. It wouldn't surprise me if one of them actually did tell her this.

The official position is that leaders are never supposed to get involved in divorce decisions or proceedings. There are no exceptions to this policy.

[_Ten Bear]

I think there's whats "official" and then there's what actually "is". And what it "is", is a big yes. The LDS culture breads nothing but contempt for the "weak". And the "weak" is defined by anyone who even so much as asks a question. God first, then church, then family. And if your spouse is not with you, then he/she is against you. You're better off getting rid of the extra baggage. That's how it is.

[Guest]

It's interesting that the only thing the Church see's fit to independently audit in a ward is the financials to ensure no money is going missing on it's way to Church Headquarters.

[_The Mighty Builder]

YES, YES THEY DO!

Our bishop (what a joke title) instructed my TBM wife that I would be the destruction of her and our children's external existence and that IF she didn't divorce me, she would become evil by association.

She felt offended by this unsolicited command and went to the stake president (another joke title) to seek his help. To her TBM surprise the stake president supported the command of our bishop and added this warning, that IF she didn't divorce me, he could not in any way allow her to be called to a position in the church. For he knew that my "distracting and troublesome" spirit would prevail in our home and she would bring that "evil" spirit to any calling and it would affect those she was suppose to Shepard.

TBM wife didn't divorce me. Now she only goes to church when she wants to and spends happy days with our children and traveling with me on business trips.

Screw you Mormon Corporation!

[_palerobber]

i've heard of this happening but in my case, roughly a decade ago, it was just the opposite -- the first thing the bishop advised my spouse was that she not let it damage our relationship.

but as Ari and Bazooka mention above, there's basically no oversight of local leaders in matters like these.

[_cinepro]

It's an interesting question, because if you really believe LDS doctrines, it's entirely logical to see the benefit of a spouse leaving their non-believing partner and finding a believing partner to whom they can be sealed and receive all the blessings of a covenant marriage and family.

After all, it was Jesus himself who said:

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

https://www.LDS.org/scriptures/New Testament/luke/ ... 3?lang=eng

But obviously there are other more rudimentary factors involved, so there are other ways to look at it.

[_Bazooka]

It's an interesting question, because if you really believe LDS doctrines, it's entirely logical to see the benefit of a spouse leaving their non-believing partner and finding a believing partner to whom they can be sealed and receive all the blessings of a covenant marriage and family.

But obviously there are other more rudimentary factors involved, so there are other ways to look at it.

Exactly.

The doctrine is that, in the event of a sealed couple being in different standing with the Lord on the day Kingdom residence is decided, your more righteous spouse will be given the option of choosing a different spouse of equal righteousness or settling for less than they should by sticking with you.
Not only do local Church leaders advocate separation from apostate spouses, the doctrine confirms that advice.

[_why me]

If the apostate is negative toward the church, resents their partner's involvement in the church, nags the partner to death about their involvement, takes an active stance in attempting to lead them out of the church, and can't seem to leave it alone, well, chances are that a divorce will happen anyway.

Why? because the apostate is showing a lack of respect and understanding toward something that their spouse may actually enjoy and believe.

[_bcspace]

Officially, no. However, there are a number of "independent operators" in positions of authority at the local level. It wouldn't surprise me if one of them actually did tell her this.

The official position is that leaders are never supposed to get involved in divorce decisions or proceedings. There are no exceptions to this policy.

That is correct except that you're confusing 'independent operators' with leeway to call it as one sees it based on all the principles taught by the Church.