Andrew Crighton
Life Editor
Nov. 14, 2015 was a big day for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In front of the temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, as many as 1,500 individuals formally resigned from the church, and many stayed to protest afterwards.
The leak of new policies in “Handbook 1” regarding same-sex marriage sparked outrage.
The new regulations don’t allow children who live full-time with a same-sex couple to be blessed as babies or baptized. Once they turn 18, individuals may disavow the practice of same-sex marriage/cohabitation, and request permission to be baptized and confirmed into the church after approval from the Office of the First Presidency.
The policy declares members of the LDS church who enter into same-sex marriages as apostates, individuals who choose to renounce their membership through their actions.
This caused outrage by many outsiders as well as some members of the church.
Most of the questions being asked were in regards to what was being done to the children.
In order to clarify the policies Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was interviewed, and the video was released on the Internet.
In the clarification it was outlined that children can still attend church services and receive wellness blessings.
An official statement by the Office of the First Presidency published on LDS.org on Nov. 13 also states that those who have already been baptized are not to have their “membership activities or priesthood privileges be curtailed or that further ordinances be withheld.”
The local church leaders should make future ordinances for children in this situation with the main interest being the well being of the child.
It continues to state that the reason for the policy changes were to make the church’s stance clear-cut as same-sex marriage became legal across the nation.
The statement continues, “Revealed doctrine is clear that families are eternal in nature and purpose. We are obligated to act with that perspective for the welfare of both adults and children.”
Most of the people leaving the church are gay or have gay people in their family.
Mark Naugle is a lawyer in the Salt Lake area who notarized letters for those who wished to resign from the church at the Nov. 14 event. In an interview with CNN Naugle said, “Most people are disaffected from the church already, and this was the final straw.”
Many believe that by having their names kept in the church’s records, they are supporting an institution that does not support them, or their families.
Many who planned on attending the mass resignation organized and supported each other through social media outlets.
In an attempt to deter individuals from leaving the church, current LDS Church President Thomas Monson tweeted, “I plead with you to avoid anything that will deprive you of your happiness here in mortality and eternal life in the world to come.”
Garrett Robins is a 21 year old member of the LDS church who recently returned from his mission. When asked about his opinion on the church’s decision and the resignations he said, “The statement that came out from the church was very bold but I feel that it makes sense.”
The church sent these new policies in the “Handbook” because it serves as a reference to local church leaders to provide consistency throughout the congregations. It made clear that the church has not changed its stance on same-sex marriage and wants to avoid placing stress on children who live with same-sex parents and learn differently from church lessons and activities; these were not put in place to restrict the membership of these individuals.
“I know it offends many people, but I am in full support of the church and leaders,” added Robins.
When local church leaders were asked to comment, they referred to the church’s official, online statement.
