High-profile Mormon critic John Dehlin has been excommunicated by the Church – officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) – after refusing to shut down a blog where Mormons were invited to discuss their doubts about the faith.
The 45-year-old had a disciplinary hearing on Sunday. He was officially charged with "conduct contrary to the laws and order of the Church", both for his website, and his public support of LGBT rights, gay-marriage and female ordination.
Dehlin, from Utah, yesterday released a letter he received from regional Church leader Bryan King, in which he is accused of apostasy and officially excommunicated.
"This action was not taken against you because you have doubts or because you were asking questions about Church doctrine," King wrote.
"Rather, this decision has been reached because of your categorical statements opposing the doctrine of the Church, and their wide dissemination via your internet presence, which has led others away from the Church.
"I acknowledge your right to criticise the Church and its doctrines and to try to persuade others to your cause...But you do not have the right to remain a member of the Church in good standing while openly and publicly trying to convince others that Church teachings are in error."
Dehlin is now banned from wearing temple garments, giving talks in church, offering public prayer or partaking of Communion. King said that excommunication "usually lasts at least a year".
On his website, Dehlin says he has a "deep love for the LDS church, for its members, and for its former members" and described himself as an "unorthodox, unorthoprax Mormon".
A member of the faith all his life, he told KUER's RadioWest on Tuesday that Mormonism is his "heritage, culture, tribe and identity".
"I don't believe it can be taken from me in a process like this," he added.
In a statement, Dehlin said: "My wife, Margi, and I are proud to stand in support of both free expression and gender/marriage equality within Mormonism. While we are saddened that the LDS Church has chosen to excommunicate me for publicly supporting these values, we support the church's right to make this decision."
However, he also pledged to continue "telling stories and keep providing support and community for Mormons who are unorthodox".
