Mormonism and Church discipline/Scholars

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Questions

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• Critics claim that the Church excommunicates or disfellowships scholars who publish historical information that is embarrassing to Church leaders.
• It is often claimed, despite the fact that these disciplinary actions are carried out by local leaders, that they are in reality instigated by general authorities.
• Critics claim that the Church is silencing honest people for telling the truth.
• The Church is claimed to take a "dim view" of intellectuals.

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here

Response

Sonia Johnson

The "September Six"

Six individuals were disciplined by the Church in September 1993. Supporters of those disciplined and critics of the Church have dubbed them "the September Six." The six individuals were:

• Lavina Fielding Anderson (excommunicated)
• Avraham Gileadi (excommunicated, now back in full fellowship)
• Maxine Hanks (excommunicated)
• D. Michael Quinn (excommunicated)
• Paul Toscano (excommunicated)
• Lynne Kanavel Whitesides (disfellowshipped)

Avraham Gileadi has never spoken publicly about the reasons for his excommunication, was never asked to retract any publications or statements, and has returned to full fellowship. He will not be discussed here.

The remaining five individuals have tended to claim that they were disciplined because of their writing and speaking on such matters as Church history, feminism, and abuses of power within the Church.^[1] Church leaders and officials rarely make the reasons or evidences presented at disciplinary councils public. Thus, former members are able to claim whatever they like about excommunication without contradiction from the Church.

It is useful, however, to compare what these five individuals have said and done publicly, and what others have revealed about them, as we try to assess whether their excommunication was only about Church history or if other behaviors contributed to the unfortunate result.

Lavina Fielding Anderson

Lavina Anderson is the only former member who continues to attend LDS worship services.

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Maxine Hanks

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D. Michael Quinn

Quinn claims that his excommunication was the direct result of his historical research on the origins of Mormonism. He refused to attend his own disciplinary council, telling his stake president that it was "a process which was designed to punish me for being the messenger of unwanted historical evidence and to intimidate me from further work in Mormon history."^[2]

Despite Quinn's belief that his Church discipline was all about his history, his stake president wrote back on 11 May 1993, saying "There are other matters that I need to talk with you about that are not related to your historical writings. These are very sensitive and highly confidential and this is why I have not mentioned them before in writing."^[3]

For a detailed response, see: D. Michael Quinn

Paul Toscano

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• Brian M. Hauglid, "Review of Strangers in Paradox: Explorations in Mormon Theology by Margaret and Paul Toscano," FARMS Review of Books 6/2 (1994): 250–282. off-site
• William J. Hamblin, "The Return of Simon and Helena (Review of The Sanctity of Dissent by Paul Toscano)," FARMS Review of Books 7/1 (1995): 298–316. off-site

Lynee Kanavel Whitesides

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September Six: conclusions

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Next section

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Janice Allred. See:

• Gary F. Novak, "The Return of Ashtoreth to the Groves and High Places: Feminist Ideology, the Politics of Victimization, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Review of: God the Mother and Other Theological Essays)," FARMS Review of Books 12/1 (2000): 67–94. off-site

== Notes ==

1. [note]  See, for example, Paul Toscano, "An Interview with Myself," Sunstone no. (Issue #130) (December 1993), 19. off-site
2. [note]  D. Michael Quinn, Letter to Paul A. Hanks, 7 February 1993; cited in Anderson, "DNA Mormon."
3. [note]  Paul A. Hanks to D. Michael Quinn, 11 May 1993; cited in Anderson, "DNA Mormon."

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Answer

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