aebrown wrote:I'm not sure why MLS allows certificates to be printed without the ordinance being recorded. I suppose there's some obscure scenario where it might be helpful, but it does seem risky to allow it. An ordinance is not complete until it has been recorded (meaning that it is entered in MLS and transmitted successfully to CHQ).
I've known stakes, especially before the stake could record Melchizedek priesthood ordinations, where they printed the certificate for Melchizedek ordinations beforehand and then delivered it to the person immediately following the ordination. That way the person had proof of the ordination even if the ward didn't record it. Since the Handbook says the certificate is sufficient proof of ordination by itself (CHI 1 16.1.10) the ordination could easily be recorded later (even in a different unit) if somebody dropped the ball.
I suppose there could also be other situations where a leader wants to provide the certificate immediately. However, having said that, I think most cases where the certificate is printed first happen with new clerks who haven't figured out how to record an ordinance correctly. So it would probably be beneficial to have a warning dialog in that situation which directs the clerk to the correct procedure (like MLS does when making a name change).