Church discipline too is an important element of the perfection-of-the-saints mission of the Church. Rooting out iniquity from the institutional Church has always been one of the responsibilities of the ’elders“ in all dispensations, but there is a more important blessing to the individual that comes from such discipline. The Nephites, like the modern Church, sought not only to preserve the spiritual integrity of the institution but also to help each member repent and walk uprightly before the Lord (see D&C 20:80; D&C 42:80-83; D&C 102:12-23).
Those who misunderstand the mission of the Church and the indispensable role of discipline in fulfilling that mission may view excommunication, disfellowshipment, or other formal disciplinary measures as unfairly punitive and humiliating. On the contrary, Elder Theodore M. Burton noted that ”the most loving action the Church can take at times is to disfellowship or excommunicate a person“ (”To Forgive Is Divine, “ Ensign, May 1983, p. 70). When deemed necessary through inspiration these repentance remedies can help the sinner fully realize the seriousness of his transgression. If a serious offense is treated too lightly it is more likely to be repeated. Such Church actions can ensure that the necessary price for repentance is paid.”