| MikeWaters |
11-15-2015 09:26 PM |
The Clarification Letter from the First Presidency
Quote:
Our concern with respect to children is their current and future well-being and the harmony of their home environment. The provisions of Handbook 1, Section 16.13, that restrict priesthood ordinances for minors, apply only to those children whose primary residence is with a couple living in a same-gender marriage or similar relationship. As always, local leaders may request further guidance in particular instances when they have questions.
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What is "primary"? What if it's 50/50?
What is a "similar relationship"? Gay couple not married, i.e. <ahem> living in sin?
Quote:
All children are to be treated with utmost respect and love. They are welcome to attend Church meetings and participate in Church activities. All children may receive priesthood blessings of healing and spiritual guidance.
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I like this. And agree with this. But what is conspicuously missing is an invitation to the parents. The entire family.
And of course the ban on infants blessings remains. Meaning that these infants, associated with gay parents, cannot be blessed in front of a ward.
I don't think this letter moves the needle very much. Some latitude. But it is still very clearly treating the children of gay parents differently than non-gay parents. For reasons that seem to have no doctrinal basis. |
