Recent policy updates by the Church regarding families with members in a same-sex marriage have generated public attention from social media and news agencies across the nation.
These updates, which come from the Church's handbook for stake presidents, bishops, and other local leaders, stated that participating in a same-sex marriage fits under the definition of apostasy. In addition, the handbook states: "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."
In response to the public criticism these policies have received, the Church released the following video:
In the video interview, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reaffirmed the Church’s position on marriage and outlined handbook changes in Church policy affecting same-sex couples and their children.
The interview will help Church members, the media and the public better understand the context and purpose of the changes, which have been discussed extensively in the news media, on social media and elsewhere.
The changes were made this week in the Church’s Handbook 1 (a policy and instruction guide for local Church leaders), and were approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The revisions were outlined in a letter that was sent to local Church leaders throughout the world.