Understanding Excommunication in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Excommunication is the most serious disciplinary action in the LDS Church, removing a member's standing for grave unrepented actions.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 19, 2026

Branched from Understanding Apostasy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Quick take

Excommunication is the most severe ecclesiastical disciplinary action in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It results in the removal of Church membership for serious, unrepented transgressions like apostasy or major criminal activity.
While membership is lost, excommunication is designed to be redemptive, offering a path for sincere repentance and eventual re-baptism.
The process involves a private membership council conducted by local Church leaders.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the LDS or Mormon Church), excommunication is the most severe form of ecclesiastical discipline. It involves the complete removal of an individual's membership from the Church, signaling a serious breach of covenants and teachings that requires significant repentance and change before any path to re-entry can be considered.

Causes for Excommunication

Excommunication is not taken lightly and is reserved for grave, unrepented transgressions. These actions are considered to be fundamental challenges to a person's standing within the Church community and their relationship with God. Common causes include:

**Serious Apostasy:** This involves actively teaching or promoting doctrines contrary to the Church's established teachings, or actively seeking to persuade others away from the Church, especially after being counseled by leaders.
**Serious Criminal Behavior:** Engaging in severe illegal activities, particularly those that bring significant discredit to the Church or harm to others.
**Serious Immoral Conduct:** This primarily refers to unrepented sexual transgressions, such as adultery or abuse.
**Defiance of Church Authority:** A persistent, unrepentant refusal to follow the counsel of Church leaders regarding serious matters, particularly after formal warnings.

It's important to understand that excommunication is not for minor mistakes, doubts, or disagreements. It is applied when a member's actions are deemed to be destructive to their own spiritual well-being, the spiritual well-being of others, or the integrity of the Church itself, and when they show an unwillingness to repent of serious behaviors.

The Membership Council Process

The decision to excommunicate is made by a "membership council" (formerly called a disciplinary council), which is a formal, private meeting conducted by local Church leaders, typically the bishop or stake president and their counselors. The process is designed to be pastoral and redemptive, not punitive in the legal sense. The individual is invited to attend, present their perspective, and is encouraged to repent.

The council prayerfully considers the facts, the individual's attitude toward repentance, and the impact of their actions. The goal is to help the individual, protect others, and maintain the purity of the Church. If excommunication is decided upon, the individual is informed of the decision and the reasons for it. They also learn what steps they would need to take if they ever wish to return to Church membership.

The Purpose of Excommunication

It is intended to help the individual repent and change their behavior.
It protects the integrity of the Church's doctrine and community.
It provides a clear boundary for what constitutes membership and commitment within the Church.

Consequences and Path to Re-baptism

The immediate consequence of excommunication is the loss of all Church membership privileges. This includes the ability to partake of the sacrament (communion), hold a calling, exercise priesthood authority, enter temples, or be counted as a member on Church records. While the spiritual blessings associated with membership are suspended, the individual's eternal potential is not condemned; rather, it is hoped that this severe action will prompt a deep, sincere change of heart.

Excommunication is not a permanent state. A path to re-baptism and full restoration of Church blessings exists for those who demonstrate profound, sustained repentance over time. This process typically involves a long period of living Church standards, counseling with local leaders, and eventually, another membership council to determine if re-baptism is appropriate. This emphasizes the Church's belief in the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption, even after serious transgressions.

Can a person be re-baptized after being excommunicated?

Yes, a person can be re-baptized after excommunication, but it requires a long period of sincere repentance, living Church standards, and demonstrating a profound change of heart. The decision is made by a membership council of local Church leaders.

How does excommunication differ from disfellowshipment?

Disfellowshipment is a less severe disciplinary action where an individual retains their Church membership but loses certain privileges (like partaking of the sacrament or exercising priesthood authority) for a period. Excommunication, by contrast, results in the complete removal of Church membership.

Is excommunication public or private?

Membership councils and the decision to excommunicate are considered private matters between the individual and their Church leaders. The Church does not publicly announce excommunications, though the individual may choose to share their experience.

Who makes the decision to excommunicate?

The decision is made by a local Church membership council, typically composed of a bishop or stake president and their counselors, after careful consideration and prayer.

Is excommunication a form of punishment?

While it has serious consequences, Church leaders emphasize that excommunication is primarily a redemptive process, intended to help an individual repent and, if possible, eventually return to full fellowship, rather than solely a punitive measure.

Sources

General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ChurchofJesusChrist.org