JAHS Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 Someone I know was recently divorced and is asking the question about whether he will ever have a chance to be called into a Bishopric solely because he is divorced. Tried searching for this but I am getting different answers. I don't see anything specific in the General Handbook.
strappinglad Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 Might it depend on the reason for the divorce?
JAHS Posted February 13, 2022 Author Posted February 13, 2022 3 minutes ago, strappinglad said: Might it depend on the reason for the divorce? As far as I know he is the more innocent victim (of course no one is totally innocent in such matters). His wife gave up on him and had an affair with another man.
Calm Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 (edited) Yes, they can unless it has been changed and I doubt we would have missed it. https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/61001-divorce-and-church-leadership/ There are restrictions on temple marriage if divorced because of commiting adultery and one marries the partner in adultery (has to get FP approval to be sealed and iirc there is a waiting period) iirc. That could affect eligibility. Hopefully someone provides documentation in the link I just posted, but I did not read very much, just put up because of the anecdotes of divorce bishops. Edited February 13, 2022 by Calm 1
Kenngo1969 Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 Yes, but there is a behavioral health evaluation required. (Why would anyone want to be a bishop or in a bishopric?) (One of the few reasons why I'm grateful for that whole husband-of-one-wife thingy! ) 4
JAHS Posted February 13, 2022 Author Posted February 13, 2022 (edited) 45 minutes ago, Calm said: Yes, they can unless it has been changed and I doubt we would have missed it. https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/61001-divorce-and-church-leadership/ There are restrictions on temple marriage if divorced because of commiting adultery and one marries the partner in adultery (has to get FP approval to be sealed and iirc there is a waiting period) iirc. That could affect eligibility. Hopefully someone provides documentation in the link I just posted, but I did not read very much, just put up because of the anecdotes of divorce bishops. Thanks that helps although those posts were 9 years ago. It would be nice to get some sort of "official" documentation like you say. Edited February 13, 2022 by JAHS
Fether Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 1 hour ago, JAHS said: Someone I know was recently divorced and is asking the question about whether he will ever have a chance to be called into a Bishopric solely because he is divorced. Tried searching for this but I am getting different answers. I don't see anything specific in the General Handbook. There is a fairly popular concept called “The unwritten order of things” and this tended to fall in that. I see concepts like this lessening as time goes on though.
bsjkki Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 Yes. I had a Bishop who had been divorced. 1
katherine the great Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 Well I personally know several men who been divorced who have served in bishoprics. I’m not sure I personally know any divorced men who have served as Bishop but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. 🤷♀️ 1
rpn Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 Most members who don't have that question won't ever be in a bishopric either. So what? Past marital status isn't part of our church records (though inferences might be drawn if our ex's are in the same stake and/or children go from home to home within the ward or stake.
Kenngo1969 Posted February 13, 2022 Posted February 13, 2022 1 hour ago, rpn said: Most members who don't have that question won't ever be in a bishopric either. So what? Past marital status isn't part of our church records (though inferences might be drawn if our ex's are in the same stake and/or children go from home to home within the ward or stake. I don't know why, but your answer reminded me of this: That is all. Apologies for the irrelevant, irreverent diversion! Carry on!
Popular Post carbon dioxide Posted February 13, 2022 Popular Post Posted February 13, 2022 One way to reduce divorce would be to automatically make divorced, worthy men bishops. 6
Calm Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, carbon dioxide said: One way to reduce divorce would be to automatically make divorced, worthy men bishops. They would be without a wife and might not have an extended support system in place yet, in the midst of major life upheaval, possibly figuring out how to share custody, and dealing with a life stressor that is second to dealing with the death of a spouse on most life stressor tests (though I wonder if it still is giving much of the stigma is gone). Anyway, really rotten time to call someone to the position if you want them not to ultimately be found some day curled up behind the desk in the bishop’s office in the fetal position and the ward morale toasted, IMO. Edited February 14, 2022 by Calm
LoudmouthMormon Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 5 hours ago, JAHS said: Someone I know was recently divorced and is asking the question about whether he will ever have a chance to be called into a Bishopric solely because he is divorced. Is he looking for assurance so he can breathe a sigh of relief, or is he worried his career aspirations in the church may have been hampered by his divorce?
Hamba Tuhan Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 (edited) I've been told that the online recommendation form has all the intricacies spelt out on it. I can neither prove nor disprove this. I know from personal experience that a never-married man can serve as a counsellor in a bishopric, having done so twice. I also know from personal experience that serving in a bishopric as a single man is not ideal for a number of reasons. Edited February 14, 2022 by Hamba Tuhan 2
JAHS Posted February 14, 2022 Author Posted February 14, 2022 37 minutes ago, LoudmouthMormon said: Is he looking for assurance so he can breathe a sigh of relief, or is he worried his career aspirations in the church may have been hampered by his divorce? He has no career aspirations; just curious about what he might expect can possibly happen or not happen. 1
Wilderland Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 Yes, one can have been divorced and still serve as a Bishop. He must currently, however, be married in the temple. One can have been married in the temple, been divorced, and still be called as a Bishop. I won’t go into detail, but it can occur.
CA Steve Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 I am not sure about divorced men, but I am pretty sure divorced women can't be Bishops. 2
JAHS Posted February 14, 2022 Author Posted February 14, 2022 20 minutes ago, CA Steve said: I am not sure about divorced men, but I am pretty sure divorced women can't be Bishops. Right.🙄
Freedom Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 1 hour ago, CA Steve said: I am not sure about divorced men, but I am pretty sure divorced women can't be Bishops. 😮
Freedom Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 I have known divorced bishops and divorced members of the stake presidency. Have not had a divorced stake president. I know an area authority who's wife was divorced. Divorce is not a sin, sometimes bad situations are out of our control, and sometimes we make a choice that causes our life to go into turmoil. But along comes the healing balm of the savior and we are set on track again. 3
Ginger Snaps Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 I had a bishop who had been divorced and remarried. It occurred many years prior to his becoming bishop.
mtomm Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 My current bishop is divorced and remarried in the temple. He was divorced probably 25 years ago. My husband had a counselor who was divorced and not remarried while he served as bishop. 2
JAHS Posted February 14, 2022 Author Posted February 14, 2022 11 minutes ago, mtomm said: My current bishop is divorced and remarried in the temple. He was divorced probably 25 years ago. My husband had a counselor who was divorced and not remarried while he served as bishop. Interesting considering what 1 Tim 3:2 says. I guess having been married in the past qualifies them.
Hamba Tuhan Posted February 14, 2022 Posted February 14, 2022 7 minutes ago, JAHS said: Interesting considering what 1 Tim 3:2 says. I guess having been married in the past qualifies them. As I noted above, counsellors need not be married, which is my case.
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