Revised LDS handbook updates transgender policies, medical restrictions to garments

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Revised LDS handbook updates transgender policies, medical restrictions to garments

SALT LAKE CITY (

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

) — The Utah-based

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

updated its General Handbook with changes regarding transgender policies, garment wearing for people with medical restrictions, and temple sealing language.

The General Handbook, which is provided to leaders of the ******* worldwide, is updated twice a year, according to a

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

.

In the latest revision, the ******* updated several policies in the handbook including previously announced changes such as the

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

and

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

.

Transgender policy

The *******’s stance on biological **** being “an essential characteristic in Heavenly Father’s plan” has not changed. The handbook says that those who wish to receive ordinances in the ******* — such as baptism or marriage in the temple — cannot surgically or socially transition away from their biological ****.

The revised handbook clarified that those who wish to pursue baptism, and other ordinances, must receive them according to their biological ****.

“Worthy individuals who do not pursue surgical, medical, or social transition away from their biological **** at birth may enjoy all the privileges of ******* membership,” the handbook reads.

The updated handbook also says those who have transitioned and wish to take steps to transition back to their biological **** may then be allowed to engage in all activities in the *******.

“These individuals often face complex challenges. They and their family and friends should be treated with sensitivity, kindness, compassion, and Christlike love,” the handbook reads.

Temple sealing policies

Several changes were made to the handbook regarding sealings, which is an ordinance performed in LDS temples between family members or a man and woman entering into a marriage.

The new handbook clarified policies about sealing a living person to a deceased person — including

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

–and who is authorized to seal living children to their parents.

It also added language asserting that “**** will not require anyone to remain in a sealed relationship throughout eternity against his or her will.”

Garment-wearing policy

******* authorities added a section to the handbook on properly caring for the garment — a sacred piece of clothing latter-day saints wear after making promises with **** — and a section explaining the variety of fabrics and styles that are available.

The most notable addition speaks on the ability to special order garments for those with medical conditions and devices that “make it difficult for members to wear one or both parts of the garment.”

The handbook says in some cases it may be better to not wear the garment temporarily until conditions allow it again. In other cases, members may reach out to a clothing consultant through the ******* to get a special-order garment.

“When a member cannot wear the garment because of a medical condition or device, his or her religious status is not affected. The Lord focuses on the heart and a willing mind,” the handbook reads.

For more information on the changes, visit the

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

or the

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Revised #LDS #handbook #updates #transgender #policies #medical #restrictions #garments

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up