I suspect there is no blanket policy and it's done on a case by case basis. And that makes sense as there's probably details that prevent the formulation of a blanket policy.
Note that from the Chart of Callings (30.8.1), starting with the office of Bishop, approval comes from "First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve". Approval for a stake president comes from "An assigned General Authority or Area Seventy". These approvers are are likely to have access to more of the membership information (such as history) than the ward or stake. I think the Handbook is written more for the local unit than those higher levels, so it's likely to omit those kinds of details.
Excommunication
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russellhltn
- Community Administrator
- Posts: 36622
- Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
- Location: U.S.
Re: Excommunication
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.
So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
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TiaraDGS
- New Member
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2026 10:20 am
Re: Excommunication
How come no one will help me get my blessings restored? I have spoken with a few bishops over the years and everyone seems so calm and kind but nothing ever comes from it. I don’t get told why or why not. It’s definitely making me feel like I’m never going to be worthy regardless of what I do.
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garystroble
- Senior Member
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:34 pm
- Location: near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Re: Excommunication
Restoration of blessings is normally handled by a Stake President.
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BrianEdwards
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1625
- Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2016 10:42 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: Excommunication
Additionally, when an "Application to the First Presidency" is made, and is not approved, from what I understand there generally is not a detailed explanation of "why or why not". So your local leaders may not be able to provide much additional insight into the "why". And that can definitely be frustrating.TiaraDGS wrote: Tue May 12, 2026 10:23 am How come no one will help me get my blessings restored? I have spoken with a few bishops over the years and everyone seems so calm and kind but nothing ever comes from it. I don’t get told why or why not. It’s definitely making me feel like I’m never going to be worthy regardless of what I do.
I agree that speaking with your Stake President (and perhaps first with your current Bishop) and seeking their counsel, might help you feel God's love and approval of your current path regardless of the status of your membership. These leaders can help us when we struggle to understand the Lord's timing of certain things, which many of us experience during our own lifetimes.