UPDATE: LDS Church says children of same-sex couples are not eligible for membership
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UPDATE: LDS Church Leader explains new policies for children of same-sex parents
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed to EastIdahoNews.com Thursday night that children living with same-sex parents or guardians won’t be allowed membership in the church until they turn 18 or become of “legal age.”
The child must also “disavow the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage,” before they are allowed to become members, according to a new policy in LDS Church handbooks.
The new policies are included in handbooks that are issued to church leaders.
LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins provided the following statement to EastIdahoNews.com:
“Church handbooks are policy and procedural guides for lay leaders who must administer the Church in many varied circumstances throughout the world. The Church has long been on record as opposing same-sex marriages. While it respects the law of the land, and acknowledges the right of others to think and act differently, it does not perform or accept same-sex marriage within its membership.”
The following is the language from the Church Handbook given to EastIdahoNews.com via LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins. Additions are highlighted in yellow.
Handbook 1, number 6.7.2 has been updated as follows:
When a Disciplinary Council May Be Necessary
Serious Transgression
. . . It includes (but is not limited to) attempted murder, forcible rape, sexual abuse, spouse abuse, intentional serious physical injury of others, adultery, fornication, homosexual relations (especially sexual cohabitation), deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, . . .
Handbook 1, number 6.7.3 has been updated as follows:
When a Disciplinary Council is Mandatory
Apostasy
As used here, apostasy refers to members who:
1. Repeatedly act in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its leaders.
2. Persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after they have been corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.
3. Continue to follow the teachings of apostate sects (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after being corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.
4. Are in a same-gender marriage.
5. Formally join another church and advocate its teachings.
A new section in Handbook 1, 16.13 has been added as follows:
Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship
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.
KSL.com reports on the story here.
Deseret News reports on the story here.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports on the policy here.
The Daily Herald reports on the policy here.