Give … thy servant an understanding heart. 1 Kings 3:9
Big news came on Thursday of last week when the Church announced it had made changes to its handbook for stake presidents, bishops and other local leaders that reaffirms its doctrine of marriage and offering clarification on issues that may arise from same-sex marriage.
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.
On Friday, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the changes.
The handbook now includes being in a same-sex marriage under the definition of apostasy and as a circumstance that requires the convening of a disciplinary council. The handbook also clarifies that the ordinance of naming and blessing a child may not be performed for children living with a parent in a same-gender relationship.
The new section of the handbook is listed under the heading "Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship." It states that "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."
Although children are not officially considered members of the LDS Church until they are baptized at age 8, the blessing of a child creates a membership record. Children are not considered accountable or mature enough to receive baptism until the age of 8.
The handbook addition also states that "a natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting," can only be baptized, confirmed, ordained to the priesthood or serve a full-time mission with approval from the Office of the First Presidency. A mission or stake president may request approval and determine that: "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"; and "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 language of being in a same-gender marriage has been added to the definition of apostasy as it relates to helping leaders know when a church disciplinary council is mandatory.
The new policy has triggered many very emotional responses to faithful members gay or not and those outside the Church who are trying to understand why children in such unions won't be eligible for a naming blessing, baptism or mission call without the approval of the First Presidency.
Elder Christofferson said: "We don't want the child to have to deal with issues that might arise when the parents feel one way and the expectations of the church are very different," noting that "nothing is lost to them in the end" if these children join the faith when they become adults.
He also said the church made the shift largely as a reaction to the Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. The Church acknowledges the law but "not as a right that exists in the church. That is the clarification."
Stuart Reid, a former public relations employee of the LDS Church and twice a bishop, believes the policy shifts and the subsequent debate are necessary.
"These are the times when people in the church are confronted with the choice of being politically correct or being prophetically correct," he said Friday. "In other words, they have to choose where they stand and what they are going to support going forward."
Elder Christofferson said, there is "a parallel" in the way church leaders view polygamy and same-sex marriage.
The latest LDS handbook also lists polygamy as apostasy, and it places restrictions on the participation of children from such families.
I am all for protecting children and understand that the Church does not want to put children at the center of conflict between their household and the teachings of the Church. I know I need to pray for an understanding heart along with those affected by this change.
I sustain the leaders of our Church and this policy.
