Children of gay couples now need
clearance from the top to join and fully
participate in the Mormon Church
On November 3, the LDS Church distributed “Changes to LDS Handbook 1 Document 2 Revised 11-3-15,” which makes it church policy that children of gay couples may not become church members, receive baptism, or perform missionary service unless they live apart from their same-sex parents, disavow same-sex marriage and same-sex cohabitation, and obtain clearance from top church leaders.
The policy comes from the top. According to the document, the changes “... have been approved by the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for immediate implementation.”
Here is how the document spells out the policy:
The policy comes from the top. According to the document, the changes “... have been approved by the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for immediate implementation.”
Here is how the document spells out the policy:
| A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing. A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may be baptized and confirmed, ordained, or recommended for missionary service only as follows: A mission president or a stake president may request approval from the Office of the First Presidency to baptize and confirm, ordain, or recommend missionary service for a child of a parent who has lived or is living in a same-gender relationship when he is satisfied by personal interviews that both of the following requirements are met: 1. The child accepts and is committed to live the teachings and doctrine of the Church, and specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage. 2. The child is of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage. |
The church also makes clear that legally married same-sex couples are apostates subject to discipline, aka a church court, generally a first step toward disfellowshipment or, more likely, excommunication:
| When a Disciplinary Council May Be Necessary ... includes homosexual relations (especially sexual cohabitation) ... When a Disciplinary Council is Mandatory ... As used here, apostasy refers to members who ... are in a same-gender marriage. |
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