—Elder PerkinsGod is giving us His power so we can go and do the things that He has asked us to do. Also, instead of being “disfellowshipped,” members are given “formal membership restrictions.” And excommunication is now labeled a “withdrawal of membership.”“The idea behind these terminology changes is to ensure that we understand that when we make a mistake in our life the Lord is always extending His arms of mercy,” said Sister Aburto.This chapter provides guidelines on the creation and adjustment of stakes, wards and branches.Here, leaders and members learn the parameters for creating stakes, wards and branches catered to specific groups. Nine of the 38 chapters have been completely rewritten and one section of another chapter has been updated. • Ties and white shirts are no longer mentioned as being “recommended” for young male deacons passing the sacrament; now they should just be “well groomed and clean.” The notion that members should “partake” of the bread and water “with their right hand when possible” was added.
“We are heartened that the policy recognizes that each situation is unique, and that local leaders are required to consult with area presidencies.
“But as those first chapters came out, the First Presidency and [Quorum of the] Twelve felt that the updates were important enough to release as soon as possible.” The Church of Jesus Christ believes in ongoing revelation to prophets and apostles.“And that means, in a phrase, that the Church is true and living. The transgender policy states that everyone is welcome to attend meetings and urges leaders to “create a warm, welcoming environment for all — including persons who identify as transgender,” the general authority said. “She is kind,” Hall said. (Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) Laurie Lee Hall in 2017. Nathan Kitchen, president of Affirmation, said his group applauds the reversal finally making it into the handbook.
“All church members who keep their covenants — women, men, and children — are blessed with God’s priesthood power in their homes to strengthen themselves and their families.” Only men and male youths, however, can be ordained to priesthood offices. More videos will be added over time.This chapter (formerly known as “Church Discipline”) has significant revisions. All rights reserved. An annotation also will be placed on the person’s membership records. Blessings and baptisms of children require only one custodial parent to give permission. “Positive mental outcomes occur when LGB members have the self-determination to self identify.” • All Latter-day Saints, regardless of gender or church assignment, exercise delegated priesthood authority when they are given formal service opportunities in their congregations.
Why release the new handbook not only to leaders and members but also to the general public? She said her experience as a professional translator has been especially useful in the review process.“I tried to find places where the translation [from English to Spanish] could be complicated and difficult,” she said. Disciplinary councils are now called “Church membership councils.” As before, these councils are an expression of love, hope and concern, designed to help Latter-day Saints through their repentance process. Members who elect medical or surgical intervention to transition to the “opposite gender” or who “socially transition” — dress as the gender they identify as or change their names or pronouns — “will experience some church membership restrictions.” That could include limits on exercising the priesthood, which is a male calling, attending the temple, or receiving a church assignment.
Rather than refer to a page or group of pages, leaders may refer to a topic by its number. The number 5 refers to
The new handbook will contain 38 chapters, which will be accessible to the public in English on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app on February 19, 2020.
The text also points readers to CES.ChurchofJesusChrist.org for more information about Church primary and secondary schools, BYU–Pathway Worldwide and institutions of higher education.This chapter includes resource links and instructional videos that show how to carry out many of the Church’s various priesthood rites.
“What we mean by that is previous handbooks had been sort of designed for large units — let’s say Alpine, Utah — and we need a handbook that can be applied even in the smallest units.”Sister Aburto, a native of Nicaragua who is part of a committee that gathers regularly to review the handbook’s every word, said the text’s ministerial tone will help leaders from varying backgrounds better understand and apply its principles.