Praise to the Man
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2024 3:16 pm
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah...
It was my second high counsel court in a few months. All agreed with the Stake President that excommunication was what was need for my heart, mind and soul. All but one who adamantly disagreed.
Like Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men, juror # 8 was able to persuade the others to his point of view, but this took time. High Counsel Courts in my youth started about seven or seven-thirty P.M. And if it was 9:40 P.M the 12 men in the Stake High Council of the Mormon Church would become jumpy, and I'm sure frequently glance at their watch. I'm sure they said to themselves, come on, let's get this over as I need to get home, get some sleep, and get up for work.
In fairness I do remember in my youth reading about members of some church court who were sent home with no call by the Stake Presidency but during the week the message appeared in writers mind that excommunication was the call which brought a feeling of peace.
One out of thousands were sent home to think about the evidence the court heard.
I just wanted to say thank you to that one man in the High Council who communed with Jehovah and who adamantly disagreed with the 11 other High Councilors and Stake Presidency. The jurors in 12 Angry Men had the gift of time, and for some reason that gift was not afforded to me or my defender who changed his mind likely because others were getting upset and I was called back into the High Council room to hear the consequences of my decision I made after coming home early from my mission. Snapshots frozen in time were presented as evidence. Snapshots that I presented and that I provided. Nine snapshots out of 10 million. The call by the Stake President was excommunication.
Months later my Stake President would receive a letter from Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City. Bonus points to President Kimball.
It was my second high counsel court in a few months. All agreed with the Stake President that excommunication was what was need for my heart, mind and soul. All but one who adamantly disagreed.
Like Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men, juror # 8 was able to persuade the others to his point of view, but this took time. High Counsel Courts in my youth started about seven or seven-thirty P.M. And if it was 9:40 P.M the 12 men in the Stake High Council of the Mormon Church would become jumpy, and I'm sure frequently glance at their watch. I'm sure they said to themselves, come on, let's get this over as I need to get home, get some sleep, and get up for work.
In fairness I do remember in my youth reading about members of some church court who were sent home with no call by the Stake Presidency but during the week the message appeared in writers mind that excommunication was the call which brought a feeling of peace.
One out of thousands were sent home to think about the evidence the court heard.
I just wanted to say thank you to that one man in the High Council who communed with Jehovah and who adamantly disagreed with the 11 other High Councilors and Stake Presidency. The jurors in 12 Angry Men had the gift of time, and for some reason that gift was not afforded to me or my defender who changed his mind likely because others were getting upset and I was called back into the High Council room to hear the consequences of my decision I made after coming home early from my mission. Snapshots frozen in time were presented as evidence. Snapshots that I presented and that I provided. Nine snapshots out of 10 million. The call by the Stake President was excommunication.
Months later my Stake President would receive a letter from Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City. Bonus points to President Kimball.
