The Mormon Purge

Overview

I have personally met some 100+ people and indirectly know of approximately 1000 that were excommunicated during "the Mormon purge" that took place from around 1991 through 1995. I was running a study group called The American Study group that grew to around 4000 participants in 1990. The purpose was to fulfill Ezra Taft Benson's (President at the time) General Conference edict, "Do you know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?" We studied prophecies and freedom on a weekly basis in a number of branch locations throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

We were very careful about how we spoke about the LDS Church (even though we were finding interesting things in our studies regarding the inconsistency between how the church operates in practice and what the scriptures say they ought to do).

At our zenith, one general conference talk was given that indirectly warned people about our group. One General Authority named our group by name in a regional meeting with some 300 stake presidents and bishops in Arizona, telling them to urge their members to have nothing to do with the group. I later spoke with that general authority and cleared up his misunderstanding about the group and its purpose.

Probably 100 - 200 of the excommunications in the next 2-3 years were of people who had participated in that study forum.

An LDS General Authority (since released), Elder Malcolm Jepson (called "Malcolm Ex" for his reputation heading the purging), issued a list of 15 "tell-tale" signs to watch out for as "signs of apostasy." It included such things as (paraphrasing from memory) "obsession with years supply, membership in the John Birch Society, home school their children, attend the American Study Group, study Isaiah more than usual, obsession with last-days prophecy." This was circulated among the lay Church leadership in the Rocky Mountain area, where Elder Jepson presided. By their ruler, I measured up on nearly every item.

As a result of that purging, people became paranoid about holding private study meetings. Some retreated to the Church to kiss the brethren's feet ten times more loyally than their mainstream counterparts. Others learned to walk independent with the Lord. The Harmston church was one of the offshoots of that period, probably the main one. I nearly ended up with them, but am glad I did not. They were/are zealous to repeat the mistakes of the past, doing things just as Joseph and Brigham practiced and taught, polygamy, full endowment, polyandry, etc.

A book could/should be written about the period and its ramifications.

Pam, I'm curious to know where you live that you have not observed or even become aware of such a phenomenon? I am truly astonished that you don't seem to have any fear about saying what you believe in church. In most places, you would be in the bishop's office in a heartbeat if you said something that was sufficiently eyebrow raising (e.g. pushing the envelope).

On David's Outcasts discussion list there are probably a good 20-30 who were thusly excommunicated.

What is also astonishing is that it was during this time that Hinckley's book, "Teachings of GBH" came out in which he has a footnote comment quoting from a TV interview he had during the time of the purge in which he says that there were "maybe six" people who were excommunicated. He was able to get away with that statement because that is all that the Media paid attention to because those particular excommunicants were of the liberal bend. They ignored the hundreds of conservatives who were being excommunicated. I would call these conservative excommunicants "Ezra Taft Benson Mormons," who the mainstream of the Media despised and completely ignored, giving them almost no print whatsoever -- certainly no frenzy of attention that the few liberals received.

The church subsequently backed away from this excommunication stance because of its backlash. Politically, it looked very bad, and P.R. is everything to President Hinckley.

A dozen years ago, everyone on this list would have been disciplined by the Church, just for being on the list. Same for David's Outcasts. It was a day when neighbors wrote down license plates of people who showed up at a neighbors private fireside discussion to report the attendees to their bishop. Phones were tapped (illegal and denied).

What has happened as a result is that the Church has become extremely bland, loosing much of its color, sticking to the endless repeating of the same basic teachings, dwelling on past glory. It is a hypothermic state, nearly lifeless. "The drunkards of Ephraim" prophecy in Isa. 28, which parallels II Nephi 28 with around 177 consecutive parallels, is probably the best polemic on the situation.

They kicked out some of the most stalwart warriors. Had Joseph Smith showed up by some other name and appearance, he would have been excommunicated forthwith.

Yes, a book should be written on that purge and its ramifications. Maybe I'll do it.

This brief thumbnail sketch is a start.

Table of Contents

This is a work in progress.  The following is a draft/brainstorm copy.

Possible Chapters/Sections

Individual Accounts

An index of individual accounts of excommunications for "apostasy."

Feedback

The Malcolm X era. I remember it well.

Ah, yes! The Malcolm X era. I remember it well. 99% of the people ex'd never should have been. Fortunately (depending upon your viewpoint) I wasn't one of them. I will say this, we will know there is inspired leadership when a Jubilee is offered and those who were ex'd are given an opportunity to return. Though many would not. Yup, many stalwart members of the church were wrongfully disciplined for their love of the scriptures, Ezra Taft Benson and his teachings, and the desire to "do the right thing" for their God, family and country.
Rich
{Rich Kuchinsky headed up the Midvale, Utah (Salt Lake Valley) branch of the American Study Group and kept it going yet another year after the American Study Group was disbanded.}

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