I do not claim to speak for the highest levels of Church government. This post is based on my experience as a practicing Mormon and my understanding of Mormon dogma. Feel free to compare to the experiences of other Mormon friends, or to visit the Church's official website.
On the evening of 5 November, 2015, my wife Camille and I did what we do on many weeknights. We had dinner, we put our daughter to bed, and we watched a shared favorite TV show. Then I logged into Facebook for a few minutes.
I was shocked by what I saw.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had just announced a change in its policy. Handbook 1, where local and general leaders in the Church settle questions of Church policy, had just been updated. It's a long passage to quote, but I think it's worth sharing it. According to this update,
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.
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…
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.
For those not familiar with Mormon doctrine and practice, here is a little clarification. I do not claim to speak for the Church's central governing body. My experience as a lifelong member of the Mormon community qualifies me to talk about the basics.
Baptism and Confirmation
Mormons believe that people can be baptized once they reach the Age of Accountability--the age at which a person can think for herself or himself, and can make decisions informed by prayer, divine revelation, and careful study. Mormon doctrine claims that that age is eight years old. Anyone eight years or older can receive a Mormon baptism following a brief interview with a missionary district leader (like a local team lead for the shirt and tie cyclists). Children under age 18 need permission from each of their living parents. For most Mormons, the confirmation ritual follows baptism quickly, usually with a week or less in between. Mormons believe that confirmation also involves receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, or God's constant guiding presence. Mormons believe that baptism and confirmation are the first of the Saving Ordinances, the sacramental rituals that are required for salvation and eternal life with God.
Over the years, the Church has set special conditions for baptism in special circumstances. For example, people whose parents are active, open opponents of the Church must wait until age 18 to get baptized. The common explanation is that the parents would object anyway, so we save the child the hassle of getting a no from them. The same rule applies to children whose parents are polygamous, a practice specifically banned in today's Mormonism.
Ordination
Mormons believe in becoming a "kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). Mormons interpret that verse to mean that every man should be ordained a priest. That way, every man has power and authority from God to minister and serve.
There are several levels, or offices, within the priesthood. Around age 12, baptized Mormon boys are ordained to the office of Deacon, the lowest level. Each time a person is advanced in the priesthood hierarchy, he meets with a local Church leader to assess his preparation and worthiness for the promotion. Around age 14 they receive the office of Teacher, and around 16 the office of Priest. These three offices are seen as being the modern equivalent of the priesthood of the Old Testament's lower law. Around age 18, Mormon men are ordained to the priesthood of the higher law, and receive the office of elder (hence, missionaries are called elders). After that, they're all higher-law offices, and age is less of a factor. When local or general leadership says it's appropriate, men can be promoted to the office of high priest. Leaders of individual congregations get the office of bishop, so that's what Mormons call their pastors. Other offices are for people in the Church's central government: seventies, like the 70 men Jesus sent to help his disciples; apostles, and there are 12 like in Jesus' time; and prophet/president, the highest-ranking person in the Church. The prophet/president is assisted by two men who hold the office of apostle. So there are actually 15 apostles, but they're split into a big group ("The Twelve") and a small group (called "the First Presidency").
Mormons believe that baptism is necessary before ordination. Ordination is required for men before they can get some of the other Saving Ordinances.
Missionary Service
Mormon men are highly encouraged to volunteer two years of their lives as full time missionaries. These are the shirt and tie cyclists, the guys who shovel snow in dress clothes, the guys with the black name tag and the little blue book. And when I say highly encouraged, I mean highly encouraged. In most cases, it is all but required. Mormon men who decide not to volunteer do not face any official penalty, but they often face rejection and shaming by other members of the community. Even when missionaries go home early for medical or mental illness, their Mormon neighbors sometimes write it off as the result of sinful behavior or a lack of faith. Young Mormon women are also encouraged to volunteer as missionaries. Their term is 18 months. While men are practically required to sign up, there is much less pressure for women. In my experience, I've seen less judgment for women who choose not to be missionaries, and who go home early, whatever their reason.
People raised Mormon are encouraged to go on missions from a very early age. In fact, the young children's Sunday school songbook has multiple songs in the theme of "I hope they call me on a mission/When I have grown a foot or two./I hope by then I will be ready...."
In order to be missionaries, young Mormons go through an intensive application process. They get thorough exams from doctors. They go through multiple rounds of interviews with their bishops and other local leaders to determine whether they are spiritually prepared or "worthy" for the assignment. Once the local leaders have fully vetted a prospective missionary, they recommend him or her to the Church's central missionary department. One of the apostles (remember them? See above) works with members of other groups within the central Church government. Together they assign every candidate to a mission somewhere in the world. Devout Mormons believe that each assignment is divinely inspired. Being a missionary is a privilege and a rite of passage.
Apostasy
Apostasy is one of the most serious charges that the LDS church can bring against someone. Historically, Mormons have used that word to mean that someone knowingly turned away from God or God's law--that the person had received some kind of undeniable witness, and then they denied it anyway. Mormons also talk about the Great Apostasy, a time starting shortly after Jesus' death when Christian leaders got into politics and turned away from Jesus' purest teachings. Mormons believe the Great Apostasy ended when God called Joseph Smith to be a modern-day Moses and bring back the Church as Jesus had set it up.
The policy revision quoted above is a significant shift. Now, apostasy does not just describe people who openly oppose the Church or its ideas, but instead it includes married people whose marriage does not consist of one man and one woman.
Stay tuned... there's more to come.
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