The Mormon Church to Allow Baptisms for Children of LGBTQ Parents
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has today announced a change in policy pertaining to baptism and LGBTQ+ couples.
13/Apr/19
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The Mormon Church to Allow Baptisms for Children of Same-Sex Parents
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has today announced a change in policy pertaining to baptism and LGBTQ+ couples.
According to a 2015 policy, Mormons previously only allowed children of same-sex parents to be baptized with First Presidency approval — the First Presidency consists of the President of the church as well as his two counselors, and is the highest governing body of the Church. While there were a myriad of issues related to the policy, it particularly effected children of divorced parents were one was a queer ex-Mormon while the other remained in the faith. These children had to get approval to be baptised, and were many times prohibited from doing so. This controversial policy led to a widespread exodus of up to 1,500 members by some estimates.
The parents themselves were considered to be apostates, or ex-Mormons who have turned away from the principles of the Mormon gospel. When someone is “in apocacy” they can become the subject of a disciplinary court, convened by the church, and can be excommunicated spiritually as well as socially.
In a decision released today, both of those policies have been revised.