Record of recent convert youth of divorced parents (mother is non-member)

[jotani]

We have a recent convert (young woman, we'll call her Cat) who was baptized in her father's ward (father is also a recent convert) last month in another city. Cat's parents are divorced and she lives with her mother during the school year and is in our ward boundary. Cat moved back with her Mother last week. Cat's mother does not approve of Cat's baptism or church attendance. How do I manage Cat's record in this situation? Do I try to transfer her record into our ward, or should I create an out-of-unit record so we can have the member enrolled in our ward during the school year but keep her main record in her father's ward? Do I need the Mother's permission to create an out of unit record? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[rmrichesjr]

We have a recent convert (young woman, we'll call her Cat) who was baptized in her father's ward (father is also a recent convert) last month in another city. Cat's parents are divorced and she lives with her mother during the school year and is in our ward boundary. Cat moved back with her Mother last week. Cat's mother does not approve of Cat's baptism or church attendance. How do I manage Cat's record in this situation? Do I try to transfer her record into our ward, or should I create an out-of-unit record so we can have the member enrolled in our ward during the school year but keep her main record in her father's ward? Do I need the Mother's permission to create an out of unit record? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Because this is a user-to-user discussion forum and it's rare with someone with particular expertise and/or authority to read large areas of the forum, I would suggest asking the question elsewhere rather than waiting for an answer here. Asking the stake clerk or other stake-level leadership would be a good starting point. The clerk support channel is another.

[russellhltn]

In my opinion, the proper action is to transfer her record as she is living in your boundaries (33.6). Since she is the only member, she will be the Head-of-household.

Out-of-unit member is for children who bounce back and forth frequently between the two households (33.6.13). There is the three-month rule in 33.6.4.

Personally, I'd treat this much like a student away at college. They may come home for the holidays, but they live and worship at school, so the records are with the ward at the school location. You didn't say how old she is, but I'm not seeing anything in the handbook about treating her differently even if she is a minor.

[BrianEdwards]

An important aspect will also be the changing of which Bishop has ecclesiastical authority to interview her (GHB 33.6.5). Especially with a youth, both Bishops will want to be in communication with each other, as well as with the active father, to ensure that they are coordinating their ministering efforts. If the out-of-unit record is created, then that out-of-unit Bishop would not be authorized to give her worthiness interviews while she is in his ward. It's definitely not an unworkable situation, and it occurs in many places and is handled without major issues. But it definitely is something to be actively aware of.