Bearing False Witness: What LDS Scripture Says About Bishops Who Lie

The Sacred Trust of an LDS Bishop

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the office of Bishop is one of the most sacred callings a man can receive. A Bishop serves as a "judge in Israel" (Doctrine and Covenants 107:72), entrusted with the spiritual welfare of every member in his ward. This position carries with it an extraordinary level of trust—members confess sins, seek counsel, and rely on their Bishop's integrity in matters of eternal significance.

But what happens when a Bishop violates that sacred trust? What does LDS scripture and doctrine say about leaders who bear false witness against the very members they are called to protect?

The Ninth Commandment: A Divine Prohibition

The prohibition against bearing false witness is among the most fundamental commandments given to humanity:

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." — Exodus 20:16

This commandment is not merely a suggestion or a guideline—it is a divine prohibition that carries eternal consequences. In LDS theology, the Ten Commandments represent God's direct communication to humanity about the minimum standards of righteous conduct.

The Book of Mormon's Warning

The Book of Mormon contains some of the most severe warnings about dishonesty found in any scripture:

"Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell." — 2 Nephi 9:34

This verse does not qualify or soften its message. It does not say "wo unto the liar, unless he holds a position of authority." The condemnation is absolute and universal. A Bishop who lies faces the same divine judgment as any other person—indeed, the scriptures suggest that those in positions of trust face greater accountability.

"Wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center." — 1 Nephi 16:2

This verse is particularly relevant to the allegations against Robert Hockett. When confronted with the truth about his alleged misconduct, Hockett's response—evading service of process, avoiding legal accountability—is precisely the behavior described by Nephi: the guilty finding truth unbearable.

Doctrine and Covenants on Lying and Leadership

The Doctrine and Covenants provides specific guidance on honesty that is directly applicable to church leaders:

"Thou shalt not lie; he that lieth and will not repent shall be cast out." — Doctrine and Covenants 42:21

This verse establishes two critical principles:

1. The prohibition is absolute: "Thou shalt not lie" admits no exceptions for church leaders, bishops, or any other office.
2. The consequence requires repentance: Without genuine repentance, the liar "shall be cast out"—excommunicated from the community of saints.

The Abuse of Authority

Perhaps the most relevant passage for this case is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121:

"We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." — Doctrine and Covenants 121:39

This prophetic warning describes precisely the pattern alleged against Robert Hockett. Upon receiving the authority of a Bishop, the allegations suggest he used that authority not to protect and serve, but to:

• Cover up misconduct by Dimitry Alrich toward the plaintiff's wife
• Fabricate false allegations against a whistleblower who exposed the cover-up
• Initiate false legal proceedings including a Baker Act detention
• Evade legal accountability when sued for his actions

The scripture continues:

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned." — Doctrine and Covenants 121:41

A Bishop who uses his position to fabricate allegations and weaponize the legal system against a member of his ward has violated every principle outlined in this scripture.

Alma's Teachings on False Accusations

The Book of Alma contains extensive teachings on justice and the consequences of false accusations. In Alma Chapter 1, we read about Nehor, who used religious authority for personal gain and ultimately committed murder to silence his critics. The parallel to modern cases of religious leaders who abuse their authority to silence whistleblowers is striking.

In Alma 11:21-25, Zeezrom attempts to use deception and manipulation to undermine the truth. The prophet Amulek exposes his lies, demonstrating that truth ultimately prevails over deception—no matter how powerful the deceiver may be.

The Consequences of Bearing False Witness in LDS Doctrine

LDS doctrine outlines severe consequences for those who bear false witness:

Temporal Consequences

• Church discipline including possible excommunication
• Loss of priesthood authority and temple privileges
• Loss of community trust and standing
• Legal liability for defamation, fraud, and abuse of process

Eternal Consequences

• Spiritual death as described in 2 Nephi 9:34
• Loss of exaltation for unrepentant liars
• Accountability before God at the final judgment
• The weight of every soul harmed by the false testimony

What Should Happen When a Bishop Bears False Witness?

According to LDS Church policy and doctrine, when a Bishop is credibly accused of bearing false witness:

1. A stake president should investigate the allegations thoroughly
2. A disciplinary council should be convened if evidence supports the accusations
3. The Bishop should be released from his calling pending investigation
4. Members should be protected from further harm
5. Civil authorities should be cooperated with in any legal proceedings

The Church's own handbook states that leaders who engage in dishonesty, fraud, or abuse of their position are subject to the most serious forms of church discipline.

Application to the Robert Hockett Case

The allegations against Robert Hockett, if proven true, represent one of the most egregious violations of the sacred trust placed in an LDS Bishop:

• Bearing false witness by fabricating allegations against the plaintiff
• Covering up misconduct by protecting Dimitry Alrich
• Abusing priesthood authority to weaponize the legal system
• Breaking the laws of the land through fraud upon the court
• Evading accountability by avoiding service of process

Every one of these alleged actions stands in direct contradiction to the scriptures cited above. The Doctrine and Covenants is clear: "he that lieth and will not repent shall be cast out."

A Call for Accountability

The LDS Church teaches that accountability is essential to spiritual growth. When leaders fail to live up to the standards they are called to uphold, the entire community suffers. The allegations against Robert Hockett demand a thorough investigation—not just by civil authorities, but by the ecclesiastical leaders who have the power and responsibility to hold him accountable under church doctrine.

"Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land." — Doctrine and Covenants 58:21

If Robert Hockett has broken the laws of the land—as the civil complaint alleges—then by the Church's own scripture, he has also failed to keep the laws of God.

This article is based on publicly available LDS scriptures and doctrine. All scriptural references can be verified at churchofjesuschrist.org.