Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeWaters
Semantics, I think. If the Bishop proscribes when you are in God's good graces, as defined by the ability to be a member, participate in church, and go to the temple, as well as the ability to assign members to tasks with consequences as the result of following or not following, I call that an intercessory.
You can't come in to a Bishop and say "I have been forgiven by God, fully and completely, and I believe God wants to be go to the temple extremely soon."
Well you could say it, but it would be considered stepping on the Bishop's toes, who is expected to use his own spiritual revelation to determine when that person is "ready" and "worthy."
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This is more than semantics. THe bishop is not in the middle of the relationship of the penitent and God. The bishop is steward over administrative issues and acts according to instructions he receives and from his inspiration. You, of all people, should be inclined to use these terms very clearly, as allowing the bishop to be a gatekeeper in an intercessory role gives him authority that he does not actually have. You are either confusing the role the bishop serves or you are stubbronly clinging to your own sloppy word choice but either way it is incorrect. The bishop does not have an intercessory role.