Share
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday repealed rules unveiled in 2015 that banned baptisms for children of gay parents and made gay marriage a sin worthy of expulsion.
The surprise announcement by the faith widely known as the Mormon church reverses rules that triggered widespread condemnations from LGBTQ members and their allies and marked a jarring shift from the religion’s push to carve out a more compassionate stance on LGBTQ issues.
The rules banned baptisms for children living with gay parents until they turn 18, disavowed same-sex relationships and received approval from global church leaders.
With the change, children of gay parents can now be baptized as long as their parents approve the baptisms and acknowledge that the children will be taught church doctrine, the church said in a statement from its highest leadership group called the First Presidency.
The faith said in a statement that it is not changing its doctrinal opposition to gay marriage and still considers same-sex relationships to be a “serious transgression.”
The Change Marks the Biggest Move Yet
But people in same-sex relationships will no longer be considered “apostates” who must be kicked out of the religion, the statement said.
The change marks the biggest move yet by church President Russell M. Nelson, who has made a flurry of changes to how the church functions since taking over the faith in January 2018.
Troy Williams with the LGBT-advocacy group Equality Utah called the announcement a big step forward.
“Clearly this is a great development for the church,” he said. “I think this will go a long way toward healing Latter-day Saint families that have LGBT members.”
Tesla Slides as Musk’s ‘America Party’ Heightens Investor Worries
23 minutes ago
US-Backed 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Envisages Gradual Return of Hostages, Official Says
25 minutes ago
One Killed, Dozens Wounded in Russian Strikes on Kharkiv in Ukraine
32 minutes ago
Texas Girls’ Camp Mourning Dozens Dead in Floods as Search Teams Face More Rain
34 minutes ago
Netanyahu to Meet Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire
38 minutes ago
TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports
17 hours ago
Hamas Government Office Rejects US Accusation of Involvement in Gaza Aid Site Attack
17 hours ago
Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 78, Trump Plans Visit
17 hours ago
Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing
17 hours ago
Iran President Says Open to Dialogue With US, Accuses Israel of Assassination Attempt
3 minutes ago
Categories

Iran President Says Open to Dialogue With US, Accuses Israel of Assassination Attempt

Shy but Sweet Field Survivor, Poppy the Pup, Now Up for Adoption

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Douglas Wayne Brittain

Tesla Slides as Musk’s ‘America Party’ Heightens Investor Worries

US-Backed 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Envisages Gradual Return of Hostages, Official Says

One Killed, Dozens Wounded in Russian Strikes on Kharkiv in Ukraine
