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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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==#2: Help for victims of abuse== | ==#2: Help for victims of abuse== | ||
− | Those who have been the victims of the unrighteous acts of others are not guilty of any sin. Latter-day Saints believe that the atonement of Christ can heal all suffering, injustices, and traumas through Christ's grace. Many articles and resources are available, and members with such concerns are encouraged to consult with their local leaders. Resources include: | + | Those who have been the victims of the unrighteous acts of others are not guilty of any sin. Latter-day Saints believe that the atonement of Christ can heal all suffering, injustices, and traumas through Christ's grace. Many articles and resources are available, and members with such concerns are encouraged to consult with their local leaders. |
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+ | One guide for bishops begins: | ||
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+ | :Abuse includes the physical, emotional, sexual, or spiritual mistreatment of others. The first responsibility of the Church is to help those who have been abused in a kind and sensitive way and to protect those who may be vulnerable to future abuse. Abuse not only harms the body, but also deeply affects the mind and spirit. It often destroys faith and always causes confusion, doubt, mistrust, guilt, and fear. Help the member understand that he or she is not responsible for the abuser’s behavior and that faith can be regained or strengthened and hope and healing can come through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.{{ref|abuse-victim}} | ||
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+ | Resources include: | ||
* ''[http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21044_-1__196062 Responding to Abuse: Helps for Ecclesiastical Leaders]'' ([https://www.providentliving.lds.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/7000_RespondingToAbuse32248_pdf.pdf PDF booklet]) | * ''[http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21044_-1__196062 Responding to Abuse: Helps for Ecclesiastical Leaders]'' ([https://www.providentliving.lds.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/7000_RespondingToAbuse32248_pdf.pdf PDF booklet]) | ||
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* ''[http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21044_-1__215002 Protect the Child: Responding to Child Abuse]'' (DVD) | * ''[http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21044_-1__215002 Protect the Child: Responding to Child Abuse]'' (DVD) | ||
* ''[http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21044_-1__196695 Responding to Abuse: Helps for Bishops] (DVD) | * ''[http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21044_-1__196695 Responding to Abuse: Helps for Bishops] (DVD) | ||
− | * ''[http://providentliving.org/bishops-guide/abuse-offender Bishop’s Guide: Abuse (Helping the Offender)] (on-line) | + | * ''[http://providentliving.org/bishops-guide/abuse-victim Bishop's Guide: Helping Victims of Abuse]'' (on-line) |
+ | * ''[http://providentliving.org/bishops-guide/abuse-offender Bishop’s Guide: Abuse (Helping the Offender)]'' (on-line) | ||
* Church hotline for leaders who encounter evidence or suspicion of abuse (for details see Handbook 1, [2010], 17.3.2). | * Church hotline for leaders who encounter evidence or suspicion of abuse (for details see Handbook 1, [2010], 17.3.2). | ||
* {{ldsorg|Gospel Topics, "Abuse"|http://www.lds.org/topics/abuse}} | * {{ldsorg|Gospel Topics, "Abuse"|http://www.lds.org/topics/abuse}} |
==
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]
====
1. Sexual crimes virtually always require excommunication from the Church, and members guilty of these serious crimes have annotations placed upon their membership record that remain even if they return to full membership. Members guilty of such crimes have a lifetime ban on service with youth, missionary service, and temple service.
2. Members who are victims of these sins are innocent of any wrongdoing. The Church encourages them to seek help, and to receive the healing available to all through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
The Church's handbooks emphasize that one purpose of Church discipline is to protect the innocent, especially against such crimes as predatory sexual behavior:
Likewise, victims of such crimes are innocent of sin:
Church disciplinary action is required for a small set of sins, such as murder. Sexual abuse and incest are included in this group:
Incest virtually always requires excommunication from the Church:
The First Presidency must approve any restoration of Church membership for those guilty of particularly serious sins, including:
Those guilty of abuse of a child and other serious sins which place others at risk have their Church records annotated, and this annotation remains on the record permanently (even in the event of reinstatement in the Church). Only the First Presidency can authorize the removal of such an annotation:
Even if they repent and return to full time activity in the Church, those who commit some crimes are ineligible for some types of Church service. These include:
Those who have been the victims of the unrighteous acts of others are not guilty of any sin. Latter-day Saints believe that the atonement of Christ can heal all suffering, injustices, and traumas through Christ's grace. Many articles and resources are available, and members with such concerns are encouraged to consult with their local leaders.
One guide for bishops begins:
Resources include:
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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