Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

Some discussions just don't fit into a well defined box. Use this forum to discuss general topics and issues revolving around the Church and the technology offerings we use and share.
Post Reply
lmwitten
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:25 am

Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

#1

Post by lmwitten »

This came up in a meeting today and I can find no evidence on LDS.org of such a prohibition. My belief is that this is not factually correct. Can you confirm?
russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 34419
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

Re: Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

#2

Post by russellhltn »

I don't think there's any prohibition on the church's side. My last stake president was a state judge in Family Court.

However, there might be restrictions the employer sets to avoid problems with "separation of church and state" and the various watchdog groups. The candidate in question should consult their Employee Handbook.
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.
User avatar
Biggles
Senior Member
Posts: 1608
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 5:14 am
Location: Watford, England

Re: Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

#3

Post by Biggles »

Not a Bishop, but we had a serving police officer serving as a Counsellor in the Stake Presidency.
lajackson
Community Moderators
Posts: 11460
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:27 pm
Location: US

Re: Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

#4

Post by lajackson »

We had a bishop who was a district judge. There were some instances where he needed to delegate certain interviews to his first counselor because he would have been required to report them as an officer of the law.
klricks
Member
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2018 7:02 am
Location: Grants Pass, OR USA

Re: Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

#5

Post by klricks »

A Bishop or any member with a US Gov security clearance may have issues if there are any foreign national members or visitors at meetings.
I had a friend who had to report any contact with foreigners to his employer. His employer asked him.... "Why can't you just find a new church?"....
Assistant Ward Clerk
lajackson
Community Moderators
Posts: 11460
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:27 pm
Location: US

Re: Is there a restriction prohibiting government employees, like police officers, from being bishops

#6

Post by lajackson »

klricks wrote:A Bishop or any member with a US Gov security clearance may have issues if there are any foreign national members or visitors at meetings.
I just emailed a list to the company security officer each Monday. If they asked for details of the contact, it was a missionary moment for me.

But changing churches was not an option. Every congregation in this area has the same challenge.
Post Reply

Return to “General Discussions”