Following their own theory the number cant be literal.
They say earthly hope is no second degree hope, it is just different to the heavenly. I know a case of a do, anointed, married but got laid with a brother. Disfellowshipped. Now since some years reinstated.
possiblities:
For a time their were 143.999.
He was replaced, is now back and again unointed, and their are 144.001.
He never lost his hope. So than disfellowshipping was wrong.