Another blog in response to another question. What was the question? This: "Please share what you know and have learned about Bishops, mortal men, being Judges in Israel." Really more of a request though. Anyway, here goes my best shot. I hope that it answers the question.
Well since I'm not to educated on the subject, other then a few scriptures that come to mind, and some things that I learned in Sunday School about our accounting at judgement, I had to research greater minds then mine. One such mind is that of Elder N. Eldon Tanner. On the subject matter Elder Tanner is quoted as stating the following:
"Bishops, you have an additional responsibility. You are judges in Israel,and you should always judge and deal with the transgressor with love and confidence, with a desire in your heart to help him, and carry out your responsibilities to deal with him... It is important that when you know there is iniquity,you be kind enough to show an interest in the transgressor and bring him to repentance, and that is a kindness. Love all, but tolerate no iniquity.When it appears that something is wrong, it is your duty to investigate and handle all cases of transgression according to the seriousness of the case. By moving promptly, you might be able to prevent further transgression." - N. Eldon Tanner (Apostle of the Lord)
So as Elder Tanner states, it is the responsibility of Bishops to be judges of actions made by those whom they hold stewardship over here on Earth. The Savior organized a Church that functions through Priesthood Authority. Those that are in positions of stewardship over others are in those positions because of the priesthood responsibilities that they have covenanted to do. They have covenanted to serve others with that priesthood. Part of this service is given by helping, counseling, and acting as a judge of sins committed by a transgressor.
Another great mind spoke of how this works within God's laws and the government of the Church:
"God’s laws, as given for the government of the Church, must be supported and endorsed to win salvation and respect of those within the Church and without. The bishops of the Church have been designated as common judges and, together with their counselors, are authorized to deal withcases of serious transgression coming under their jurisdiction. Other cases go before the high council court under the direction of the stake president. These judges are expected to deal with all cases of infraction against the laws of the Church mercifully and justly." - James A. Cullimore (Quorum of the Seventy)
So now you may be asking yourself, how do the scriptures support the idea of men standing as judges? Well one such scripture of support is given in the Book of Mormon, in the Book of Mormon. That is not a typing error, just read.
"18 Yea, behold, I write unto all the ends of the earth; yea, unto you, twelve tribes of Israel, who shall be judged according to your works by the twelve whom Jesus chose to be his disciples in the land of Jerusalem.
19 And I write also unto the remnant of this people [those in the America's], who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesus chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesus chose in the land of Jerusalem." - Mormon 3:18-19
So Bishops are given a charge to stand as "judges" here on Earth. The Apostles were told that they would stand as "judges" with the Savior at the day that He would stand to judge the inhabitants of the world.
"28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." -Matthew 19:28
As I understand it, all those who are given Priesthood responsibility and stewardship over others in this mortal existence will also be charged with giving an accounting of how they fulfilled that responsibility. This includes all of the Lord's Prophets, from the time of Adam to the Prophet on the Earth the day the Lord Returns, Apostles, and every other priesthood holder who is called into a position of service in leadership. In giving this accounting, the priesthood holders will converse with the Lord explaining how they fulfilled their duties, and how those who they were given stewardship over reacted to, listened, obeyed, or disobeyed those things they were taught. In doing this, those priesthood leaders will stand as witnesses at the judgement bar, and will account of the judging they were called to in their mortal stewardship.
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