Quite frankly you have to admire the Mormon for being true to their doctrinal decrees. With the Catholics they say they're true to their decrees but then look the other way. As for Protestants I think we're all over the board (decrees-what decrees?).
I think the Mormons sound like they are following Biblical principles in this case. If a member has committed an offense then it should be brought before the church. They have very clear guidelines as to what is permissible. I can't believe this author didn't understand what those guidelines were.
However, it is also scriptural that if a brother repents then the church must take him back. I don't know how you can recant a book or if the author now believes his research to be false. The author must recant his research or be willing to leave. Like Martin Luther you have to make a choice.
More at the link I posted.
Mormon Church] Mormon Church Disciplines Author for Book
Item 9697 • Posted: Mon, Dec. 13 2004 • Weblogged by ReligionNewsBlog.com
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Associated Press (USA), Dec. 13, 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk
By Travis Reed, Associated Press Writer
SANDY, Utah (AP) - A retired Mormon educator who wrote a book questioning whether the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints misrepresented his authority as a prophet was suspended from the church Sunday.