Same sex adoption baby blessing

[mke627lawson]

Hello, still fairly new to the membership calling. So I am reading in circles. I am trying to create a new record for a boy who was blessed this Sunday. The parents are a same sex male married couple. I noticed that the record creation will require a consent form as well. Several issues here. Ty

[Mikerowaved]

Greetings Ty! This is a user-to-user forum, so you might get differing opinions, rather than the doctrine you seek. The proper way is to contact your ward or stake clerk, and if they don't know, have them run the question upline until an answer is obtained.

[russellhltn]

You may have to contact support on the mechanics of how it's done give that neither parent will be a member (See Handbook 1: 6.7.3.4)

[mke627lawson]

thanks, began the upward consulting.

[wwb58]

Hand Book 1. Same sex couples CAN NOT have a child blessed

[russellhltn]

Hand Book 1. Same sex couples CAN NOT have a child blessed

It changed in April. I can't find the announcement in the Newsroom, or Letters, so I'll have to link to NPR.

[lajackson]

Here is the Church news release from the Newsroom. See the instructions from President Oaks.

[wwb58]

I just checked hand book1 chapter16.13 still says no they can’t.

[russellhltn]

I just checked hand book1 chapter16.13 still says no they can’t.

I agree with your interpretation of the Handbook, but looking over Summary of Recent Updates to Handbook 1, it's clear that despite the Handbook being updated in May, the changes announced in April have not yet been incorporated. For some of the past changes, it seems to take about 6 months.

From Newsroom (emphasis added)

Details shared by President Oaks

At the direction of the First Presidency, President Oaks shared that effective immediately, children of parents who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may be baptized without First Presidency approval if the custodial parents give permission for the baptism and understand both the doctrine that a baptized child will be taught and the covenants he or she will be expected to make.

A nonmember parent or parents (including LGBT parents) can request that their baby be blessed by a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder. These parents need to understand that congregation members will contact them periodically, and that when the child who has been blessed reaches 8 years of age, a Church member will contact them and propose that the child be baptized.

In reviewing the Letters site, I see an a new letter with today's date indicating the Handbook has been updated. So, I suspect we'll see something very shortly.

[supersc]

The HB-1, section 16.13 has not been updated as of today to reflect the April 2019 direction found here:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... april-2019