Elder Christofferson Provides Context on Handbook Changes Affecting Same-Sex Marriages 

Thank you so very much for this interview Elder Christofferson. I am trying calmly to deal with acquaintances that are blowing everything out of proportion and this helps me immensely. Thank you! :)

at the 4min mark Elder Christofferson say "we don't want to mislead people there is no kindness there" but how many times has the church mislead its members?

How about getting an actual reporter to interview you, not an employee from your own PR department?

People are wondering. Some are personally torn. Some feel outraged. Simply consider. Before we have a heated debate, consider the context of these children. My view does NOT represent the official position of the Church and I don’t claim to know, fully, what that is. I want to point out that before I saw this video or heard the church's official response or explanation, I thought through the situations of the children and the families who are actually facing this situation. I had NOT considered how these policies already apply to children of polygamous households, but that is consistent there as well. I thought about 6 different ways where the principles behind these policies are already applied: 1) I thought about children of active members of the church first - in an active member family, children are baptized at 8 - because the child needs the support of the parents to KEEP the covenant the child is making. Think about it - the church is in the business of building FAMILIES and we expect the child to be obedient to the parent. It is one of the basic commandments to honor mother and father. So in a family where the actions and lifestyle of the father and mother support the teachings of the church, the child is not forced to choose between the family and the church. The only reason children can be baptized at 8 is because they have the support of the parents to keep that covenant. There is no “right” of baptism - nobody has a “right” to demand God bless them with membership or anything else in or out of the church and, quite frankly, anyone operating under that misunderstanding will find this a hard doctrine. It is about the child’s support team without which proper support the child should not be baptized at 8 because he or she cannot realistically keep the covenant on their own. 2) I thought about the families where one or both parents are NOT members of the church and do not believe or support the baptism. This, by the way, was my own situation. The church does not presume to baptize children without the consent and support of the parents - even if the child believes and really wants to be a member of the church - because we know that the child is not really free to act for herself/himself when their loyalty and duty to honor parents is at odds with their duty & loyalty to Jesus Christ. The covenant of baptism is a FULL IMMERSION - 100%, covered - in Christ and cannot be a partial or split loyalty. My father had said, "When you turn 18, you can do what you want, but while you live under MY roof, you are NOT a Mormon." So I waited until I was 18 and began a formal investigation of the church the day after I graduated high school and moved out of my parents' home. At that time, it did not compete with my loyalty to my family and my obedience to my father's wishes. 3) I thought about other groups that have always been denied baptism on the same principles: prisoners, addicts, members of repressive anti-Christian governments. I had not considered those from polygamous households, but that applies here as well and for the same reasons. Let's take them in turn: a) Those who are under the constraints on their agency placed on them by Prison or ongoing felony probation: The covenant of baptism is a covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and serve Him to the End. A prisoner does not have the basic human freedom to do this. They have placed upon them the name of the state and a prior commitment which they have not completed. Even though HUGE NUMBERS of people “find Jesus” in prison, they don’t have the personal freedom sufficient to act fully upon that faith. If, for instance, they- with real intent and in sincerity of heart - wanted to serve a mission, the STATE first has claim upon them and can prevent them from doing so. They can’t leave their cell to follow Jesus. Even outside of a physical prison, a portion of their agency is under influence of the state until their formal probation is ended. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not baptize prisoners, those on probation, or any other persons who do not have the freedom requisite to keep the covenant they are making. It is the same with children raised in homes where same sex relationships prevail and their parent has first claim upon their agency - whether to attend church, to go to mutual, to freely share in living all of the natural expressions of the baptismal covenant. b) Those who are under the constraints on their agency placed on them by addiction - to “hard” street or prescription drug abuse or even addiction to the legal drugs found in alcohol, simple coffee, tea, tobacco, and legalized marijuana: The covenant of baptism is a covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and serve Him to the End. An addict does not have the basic human freedom to do this. As long as a portion of their spirit operates under the cravings for a substance, their ability to give their allegiance to Christ and Christ only is compromised. Even though HUGE NUMBERS of people with addictions have faith in Christ and a desire to serve Him, they don’t have the personal freedom sufficient to fully act upon that faith. If, for instance, they - with real intent and in sincerity of heart - wanted to serve in a calling as a primary teacher, the ADDICTION first has claim upon them and can prevent them from receiving and acting upon the inspiration to do so. They can’t leave their addiction behind and follow the scriptural requirement “O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength…” (See D&C 4:2) because addiction robs one of ALL of those. In other words, to the very degree that one is addicted - even slightly - to that very same degree, their heart, might, mind, and strength are impaired by addiction and to that exact degree, they are not capable of keeping their baptismal covenant. Far better that the addict clear up and resolve their addiction before entering into covenants at baptism, at the sacrament table, at reception of the priesthood, or at the House of the Lord. Even when a soul is not under the direct influence of a substance, a portion of their agency is under the command of the addiction until that addiction is resolved and their driving need and compulsion for that substance is ended. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not baptize addicts - large or small - who do not have the freedom requisite to keep the covenant they are making. It is the same with children raised in homes where same sex relationships prevail and their parent has first claim upon their agency - whether to serve in callings, share their testimonies as an official representative, or in all other ways to freely share in living all of the natural expressions of the baptismal covenant. c) Those who are under the constraints on their agency placed on them by oppressive, dictatorial governments - such as Communist nations of China, Laos, etc; the Muslim Nations of Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, etc; or even the nation of ISRAEL ITSELF!: The covenant of baptism is a covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and serve Him to the End. A citizen of a nation opposed to Christianity and the proselytizing of other religions does not have the basic human freedom to do this. They have placed upon them the name of the state and a split loyalty to their country from which they receive benefit. Even though HUGE NUMBERS of people “find Jesus” while being citizens of anti-Christian nations and long for baptism and full membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, they don’t have the personal freedom sufficient to act fully upon that faith. If, for instance, they - with real intent and in sincerity of heart - wanted to be assigned as a home teacher and spread the gospel that they so love, the STATE first has claim upon them and can prevent them from doing so. They can’t leave their military service, their civic responsibilities, their national culture behind to follow Jesus - and OFTEN without a serious threat to their lives or the lives of their families. Even outside of the geographic borders of their nation - such as on work visa to the Unites States - a portion of their agency is under influence of the state until their formal citizenship to their nation of origin is ended. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not baptize persons with citizenship in a nation opposed thereto, does not baptize persons with political ties or obligations to such, or any persons without the consent of their rightful government. We desire to empower people to keep the covenant they are making. It is the same with children raised in homes where same sex relationships prevail and their parent has first claim upon their agency - whether to act as a representative of Christ’s church, to go on to partake of the sacrament or other temple blessings, or in all other ways to freely share in living all of the natural expressions of the baptismal covenant. The policy is clear and consistent - whether the conflict impinging upon the agency of a true believer of Christ comes from their imprisonment, addiction, government, or even their own family culture, the Church of Jesus Christ actively avoids extending covenants to people who are not fully able to keep those covenants. I know in my heart that putting a child under a covenant she or he cannot keep will harm the child and weaken the family. I repeat that I was raised in a home of split loyalties. I promise you it is anguish. And so, I myself waited until I was 18 and moved out on my own to join the church - where I could do so without disloyalty to my father. Children of parents practicing same sex relationships need the freedom to do the same at a time which does not damage the love, loyalty, and commitment to their parent. Thank you for listening.

I really do not think a same sex married couple is going to be actively going to the LDS church every week. they do not live the doctrine. right? why would they want their children to be baptized into a faith they don"t believe in enough to follow?

My initial take on it is this. First of all, the church isn't banning anybody, it is simply saying you cannot get baptized until you are 18 and independent if you were raised by a gay couple. You can still go to church, go to activities and the hope is that they will be welcomed and encouraged and loved when they do. There are a lot of requirements to get baptized, so its not like this is randomly the only rule. Second off, I think the reason they are specifically waiting till a person is 18 and living out of the parents home is because in a lot of circumstances, both in the U.S. and around the world, people, especially children, want to get baptized but their parents do not approve. And unfortunately, some parents become so angered by their child's decision to join the church that they will disown them and throw them out of the house. Now if you are younger than 18 years old and you are thrown out of your house, that is a horrible situation to be in. I personally know a few different people who were disowned for joining the church and they were left for a time to live on the streets and beg for money. Luckily they all landed on their feet and are doing better. But the point I am trying to make here is that I think the church in a way is protecting Children from these types of circumstances. While it may seem rather persecutory to do this to a child who cant even control where they are raised, they also cant control whether or not those parents treat them well after joining a church where they are taught that their parents are basically engaging in an adulterous, and very grievous sin. And especially when the Child is being taught these things about their parents behavior where their parents have very strong convictions in the opposite direction, it can cause a lot of conflict. Now I am not saying that all, or even many gay couples would disown or even hate their child for joining the church, but there would for sure be lots of contention, arguments, and confusion in that situation. So I think in order to keep balance in the Childs' lives and make sure they join the church when it is best for them, especially for those being raised in these conflicting circumstances, the Church has set up strict guidelines to ensure the protection of those who want to join. I am grateful for the standards and morals that I've been taught, and the happiness that this church has brought to my life. My hope for all children everywhere is that they do look into the church & learn what I have learned to be true happiness.

Then why do kids still get baptized who's parent(s) don't personally believe in the church, who are NOT married, who have murdered, raped someone, choose anything contrary to the church? Doesn't this fall under the same category as "difficulties/challenges/conflicts?" Please, anyone?

If a same-sex couple had presented a baby to Jesus himself, would He have turned that baby away? Did Jesus ever once interview a child's parents or review a child's circumstances before inviting that child into His midst? How could any Christian say to a new-born baby "you are not worthy of our blessing because of who your parents are"?

The handbook changes don't affect same-sex marriages--they affect their children. Something, something...punished own sins...something something Adam's transgression...

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

This is what I figured. Glad they released this interview.

That's exactly what I thought when I saw all the hubbub on facebook today. I thought about one of the guys in my elder's quorum who grew up as a polygamist. I thought "You know, he probably had to do the exact same thing." Great response.

I've made this point with several individual posters and one poster suggested I post this as a separate comment rather than just a response so that others can read it. The points made by many posters that are critical of the LDS church's decision to delay name blessings and baptism until 18 years of age contain a logical flaw that readers should be alerted to. There are only two positions aren't there? 1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is exactly what it says it is--namely the only true and living on the face of the earth, the only church to contain the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only church to contain the priesthood of God with the power to seal families together forever in eternity, and the only church to offer the ordinances necessary to allow individuals to walk back into the presence of God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. or.... 2. It is a false church founded by the devil designed to lead people away from heaven and consign them to hell and damnation for all eternity, forever shut out of the presence of the Father and the Son, to be subject to the devil and his minions forever. There is no third option. The Church is either of God or the devil. Therefore, why on earth would anti-Mormon individuals be upset with the Church's recent announcement of delaying name blessings and baptism until 18 years of age if they believed (as they surely do) that it is a FALSE church? Why would they want children baptized into a false church founded by the devil and designed to deny people of salvation for all eternity? Wouldn't a more logical position be for these anti-Mormons to applaud this announcement? Unless....they actually, deep down believe the LDS Church IS what it claims to be, in which case their concern, while misguided, would at lease make sense. It is completely ridiculous for these so-called "Christians" to be angry that children can't join the church of Satan. If I read that the Catholic church (which I believe is a false, man-made organization) was denying baptism for children until they reached the age of 18, I would rejoice at that news since I would feel that now these children wouldn't be indoctrinated with what I consider false doctrine. Therefore, all of these anti-Mormons, if they choose to express anger over the LDS's church announcement are really admitting one of two things: 1. They believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the face of the earth or... 2. They WANT to see children baptized into the church of the devil and be denied salvation for all eternity. There is no third option.

Even Jesus taught things that caused outrage and caused people to stop following Him. Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you-they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

I like watching this information in video format. I love seeing the apostles in person having conversations.

Glad to see that the interviewer doesn't avoid asking pointed questions about why bring the kids into this, fairness for all, blessings of the sick etc.

So what if a child from a same sex couple simply wants to attend Church? Will they be sent away? If they are allowed in, won't they be exposed to differing philosophies anyway and still be placed in the same conundrum?

Thank you for sharing, we love and support you Elder Christofferson!

Well, I am convert to the Church, and I am sexually attracted to both women and men. I am active, faithful, 100% worthy and agree with this change in POLICY. It's not a change in DOCTRINE. For some reason loads of people think that GOD and members of the Church can't love a person but disapprove of the sin. We all have our trails in life that we struggle with. Same-gender attraction is one of them. I don't choose who I am sexually attracted to (no joke women are gorgeous), but I can choose to control my actions. Just my two cents that no one will really care about.

The perspective of one active Latter-day Saint I have been deeply saddened by the many misled and misleading comments that have been made in response to the policy changes of the LDS Church regarding same-sex marriage and custodial children. Hearts of good people are broken, and that breaks my heart. Certainly, these events are a trial of faith for many people. Trials of faith can lead us closer to God-or, if we let them, they can distance us from Him. The outcome is up to us. Opposition to these policy changes-ironically, even among people who disregard the LDS Church-has been unmistakable. Nevertheless, the rightness of the policy and the truthfulness of the principles involved are independent of personal belief and opinion. We know that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). Also, God said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8). We have read and heard many arguments that the new policies are unjust or even hateful. Nevertheless, we know that God "doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world" (2 Nephi 26:24). For many people, greater faith is required to sense the mercy and love that are the foundation of the changes. How are the policies founded in love and mercy? First, I will refer to homosexuals who obtain marriage status. On a number of occasions, we learn in the Book of Mormon that when the people forsook their covenants and rebelled against God, the promised land was "cursed for their sake." Their prosperity and, more importantly, their ability to propagate grievous sins through the generations were hindered-often through famine, natural disasters, war, and so forth. These kinds of calamities functioned much like a flame retardant for these people-a mechanism to prevent the corruption and corrosion from progressing intergenerationally. The new LDS Church policies regarding homosexual marriage are also much like a flame retardant. God has “cursed” the marriage of homosexuals “for their sake.” To God, His children's companionship with Him in the eternities and their ability to become as He is are much more important than their often misguided pursuits of self-gratification. In fact, God's greatest goal-His work and His glory-is that we become like Him and our Mother-divine individuals whose very existence is characterized by Their Parenthood. Homosexual relations can never result in the kind of Parenthood that characterizes God, and God's perfect manifestation of love-a guided path by which we can become as He is-does not include homosexual relations. Further, God did not "create" homosexuality-instead, it is the product of a fallen and imperfect world in which weakness, illness, brokenness, and eventually death afflict us all. All things that prevent us from being like God are the result of this fallen state. And we-not God-are solely responsible for this state. He gave us agency, but He does not dictate our exercise of it. And to suppose that homosexual relations are good or right just because they reflect some people’s natural dispositions is to suggest that virtually all behaviors should be deemed acceptable, without regard to their immediate or long-term consequences. Understanding homosexual marriage in the context of its effects on eternal trajectories and the progress of God’s work of salvation can help to provide justification for identifying this practice as apostasy. Classifications of apostasy are instituted to provide an unmistakable distinction between the path that can lead us back to God and the many other paths that exist. Such distinctions are particularly important when a behavior that leads us away from God receives widespread public or legal support. In this kind of situation, God prevents the broad acceptance of such behavior from corrupting and weakening His Church from within by classifying the behavior specifically as apostasy. This classification clarifies to people of the world that homosexual relations preclude full participation in the LDS Church, and it clarifies to members of the LDS Church that such relations make one unworthy of full fellowship in the Lord's kingdom on earth and unworthy of entrance into His kingdom after this life. In this way, the new policies enhance our ability to exercise agency by illuminating the true nature of two paths whose distinction is blurry to many people-including some members of the LDS Church-but which are nevertheless very distinct in the eyes of God. Thus, the new policies give light and direction to those who have not yet become convinced that they should forsake homosexual behaviors, and it prevents those in the LDS Church who might be proponents of such behaviors and lifestyles from spreading their influence among other members of the LDS Church. The bottom line is that the new policy changes illustrate God’s efforts to entice His children to choose behaviors that can allow them to feel comfortable in His presence. Those who have engaged in homosexual relations have an unmistakable invitation to bring their lives back into harmony with God’s path. The policy is an act of love. It’s an act of mercy. Now I will address the implications for adoptive children of homosexual couples. When someone is repeatedly taught that the lifestyle of his or her homosexual parent or adoptive parents-a lifestyle that might be easily misconstrued as good-will lead to severe and potentially eternal negative consequences, the resultant intense internal conflict that involves having to choose between two fundamentally important sources of identity might cause permanent psychological and emotional damage for many children and adolescents. These implications and the threat of family conflict and disruption have already been spoken of by Elder Christofferson and others. Another important consequence of these policy changes as they pertain to children is worth noting. As I implied before, homosexual marriage is different from murder, child abuse, and rape-which virtually no one suggests are "good" or "appropriate" behaviors-and therefore which do not pose a threat of widespread apostasy WITHIN the LDS Church. Homosexual marriage, on the other hand, has received a tremendous amount of public support and now legal support. A rapidly growing number of people associate homosexual marriage with love, fidelity, understanding, belonging, and other ideals that are virtually universally accepted as “good”-including among members of the LDS Church. Accordingly, when not considered in a perspective that involves the guidance of a Divine Father in Heaven, the creation of eternal families, and the process of becoming like God, homosexual marriage can easily appear acceptable or even desirable. However, because it is-in the reality of our eternal existence-an institution that halts and even reverses one’s progress toward God, classifying the behavior as apostasy is, again, essential to provide a clear and renewed distinction between two paths that for an increasing number of people in the world are virtually indistinguishable. How do these principles apply to the circumstances of children who are in the custody of a biological parent involved in a homosexual relationship or the custody of two adoptive same-sex parents? The widespread appeal of homosexual marriage-and the consequent growing multitude of children and youth who condone or encourage it-could lead to generalized apostasy WITHIN the LDS Church. Such a process would involve a tragic paradigm shift away from eternal truth that could change the entire identity of the LDS Church and generate a period of disintegration as sweeping as the forms of internal apostasy that led to the complete falling away of Christ’s ancient Church. Just as continually broadening the definition of marriage has made the institution virtually meaningless, making accommodations in the LDS Church for the endless array of deviant behaviors that some people condone would destroy the very identity of the Church. This threat of widespread apostasy within the LDS Church is perhaps the greatest justification for not permitting full participation of children of homosexual custodial parents. In other words, the new policies are, in effect, prolonging the life and protecting the purity and integrity of the LDS Church and its doctrine and mission. Without the policy changes, affected children and adolescents might otherwise never have an option to join the LDS Church as we know it, even when they reach age 18. The new policies ensure that the LDS Church will remain intact, pure, consistent, and dependable for both the immediately affected children and youth and their posterity. They ensure that the Church will remain a stable vehicle for carrying out God’s work of salvation. In sum, the new policies regarding homosexual marriage and custodial children perform a number of important functions, all of which are manifestations of the love of God for His children. • First, they illuminate the distinction between two paths that are becoming less and less distinguishable to most people in the world but that are nevertheless very distinct in their acceptability before God and in their eternal consequences. • Second, they serve as an invitation for those who have considered or have already chosen a path that distances them from God to bring their lives back into harmony with God’s laws. • Third, they protect dependent children and youth from deep and poignant internal psychological conflict and intense family disruption that can result from having to choose between the two fundamentally important sources of identity. • Fourth, they protect the purity and integrity of the LDS Church and its mission and doctrine, so that the organization can persist into future generations and continue as a vehicle of salvation.

Please, let the hate continue. People will see the church for what it is: a hateful, bigoted organization that has an axe to grind with good-hearted, genuine, kind, loving people who don't happen to fit their idea of "traditional values".

Interesting how he claims it s only a problem if the person becomes an advocate against church policy. But isn't that what the church did when they put out lots of money to lobbyists against proposition 8 a few years ago in California to stop it from passing forward?

it's interesting to see, so much confusion, so much hate and so many opinions and yet not a leg to stand on.... I'm a man of color and understand the reason why it took till 1978 to get the priesthood, I have grown up with Gay Uncle's who have more a father figure to me then most... I've had the privilege to serving a mission and help people with Same gender attraction join the church and are now married in the temple... and when see this video an apostle of the Lord speaking, I feel the spirit. I understand that this is God's church not man's and this is what is put in place for a reason... there is nothing wrong with having genuine questions about such a topic or any topic but how we came to know this church is of God is the same way we can find out if this is revelation of man or Revelation from God... it's so simple that we can miss the very essence of Heavenly Father's plan..

Baptism and ordination to the priesthood are not just "important life events". It is a setting where we make covenants. I think this new Church policy protects children from feeling a conflict of loyalty between the doctrines of the Church, the content of the covenants they would make, and how their families are living.

President Monson has also said to follow the commandments. Love thy neighbor as thy self. Yet they are in no way loving their gay neighbors, dividing families is not love and is a contradiction to Families are Forever and Family isn't it about time. President Monson has said Love one another even as I have loved you, yet he doesn't love gay people the same way as heterosexual people. God teaches he is no respecter of persons how has the LDS church chosen to ignore that simple truth? And go against God's teachings. President Monson has said follow the Articles of Faith. Yet it seems to be ok to ignore article two sins of the fathers. Article 4 ignores baptism for children, thus cutting off eternal blessings. That is NOT love. Article 6 except when it involves Polygamist, Blacks or gay people. Article 8 One of the most important thing spoken about in scripture and since the being of time is unconditional Love! God's gay children are not being translated correctly nor are the scriptures or commandments. You can not say you love a child and are protecting them when it sets out to endangers their eternal salvation by disallowing them, that which helps everyone else get through life. This is reckless endangerment of a child. How would All Church members like to be told sorry you are heterosexual therefore your children couldn’t receive the entire blessing afforded to gay parents? Article 12 you can not say you sustain the laws of the land, then go against the very law you sustain. God is not a contradictory God, nor is his he a hypocrite! President Monson has also taught to not be a hypocrite, The lord hates a hypocrite. The bible say's you are a sinner just like gay people, if you have been divorced and remarried you have committed adultery. Is the church going to tell those people, your children can't be baptized because of the sins of their parents, or will they be excommunicated for breaking God's law? According to the word of God their sin is the same as homosexuality. Our all the children of Illegal Immigrants, Their parents are breaking God’s laws by lying and not honoring obeying and sustaining the law, Not only are they breaking moral law they are breaking civil law worse then gay parent’s. Will they too be told their children can’t be baptized until 18 and must disavow their parents because of their wickedness? Our how about women who have children out of wedlock. Are their children unable to be baptized and will they have to wait until 18 and disavow their mother? God is not a god of confusion or a God of contention or contradiction. The Devil is the one that orchestrates everything the church has put out regarding his Gay Children. God does not orchestrate hate, division, judgement and hypocrisy.

I do have a question: How does this new policy apply for couples who have had a child together, but then one spouse divorces because of same gender attraction and then marries and becomes a same gender marriage? They still have a faithful mother or father attending church each week with them, but the other parent now places them to be in this scenario. Can any clarification be given here? Thanks.

This is no church of mine. Suffer the children to come unto me, regardless of their parents' situation.

Why not address the elephant in the room. What happens to children who have shared custody with a ex-spouse who is not in a gay marriage?

it is very clear and plainly explained that church membership is not being denied to anyone, not at all. All the blessings of the Gospel will be avaliable when those kids are mature enough and completely free to conceive a family according to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and understand that before the Lord marriage is only between woman and men.

It's simple the LDS Church is all about the traditional family and those principles that creates the traditional family and traditional marriage there is no hate or discrimination it's simply gods laws.

What would really protect young children would be to delay baptism and other promise-makings until legal adulthood. An eight-year-old child, whether or not she still believes in Santa Claus is not in a position to, nor is legally permitted to sign a contract, much less make an eternal covenant, real or imagined. Thus, this policy of prohibiting the making of binding covenants and directing it at children of gay parents, polygamous parents, and Muslim parents, etc., is not about protection, it's simply about control. If you truly cared, you wouldn't need to ostracize some members of your community, you would apply wisdom equally, thus eliminating bias. Remember 1978 and and the 5th of November, 2015. The outcomes are and will be the same. Please Mormon leaders, stop being on the wrong side of history in matters of social policy. Be like the Jesus you profess to represent. Be the first to embrace and accept, not the last. And make your embrace real, not this policy-laden sophistry.

I'm so grateful for living prophets and apostles. God endows them with this gift to make even the most complicated truths clear and simple. This is not just some church, it is not just men running it. It is the church of Jesus Christ. He is at the head and He directs His work through these wonderful men He has called. The decisions the prophets and apostles make are the decisions that God would put in action if He were physically upon the earth right now. What a tremendous blessing to have modern revelation.

I was very grateful for the CLARITY that this change has brought to the situation. Of course this is offensive to those who thought things were going in another direction, but this makes it clear that the doctrines don't change, the 20+ year old Proclamation on the Family is still strong as ever (of course it is!). Every child is entitled to a Father and a Mother, DOCTRINE. And marriage is defined as a sacred union between a man and a woman. Just like the Bible stated. Nothing has changed in the eyes of the Lord.

assent is certainly not a different way of saying disavow. . . here are some synonyms of disavow: synonyms: deny, disclaim, disown, wash one's hands of, repudiate, reject, renounce "the chairman disavowed the press release"

Such compassion involved! I am so grateful they released a video and not just a paper statement, I hope the humanity of this moment will touch those struggling with the announcement.

What a blessing it is to live on the earth in a day and age when there is an organization that stands for what is right; that doesn't shift its values with the passage of time; that doesn't alter its standards to fit public opinion; and that declares without blinking the gospel of Jesus Christ as it has been revealed to man on earth through prophets. How refreshing to see a religion that actually knows what it believes, stands up for what it believes, and lovingly declares what it believes without hedging, apologizing, or diluting the truth. A ship with a sail AND a rudder that follows the direction it is traveling in spite of criticism, negativity, and falsehoods. We live in a great age.

All I can say is, I am glad I left this church, and that I live in a time a place where I could.

What question would you ask regarding the stance the church has taken?

It comes down to whether this change in policy was given by revelation from God or it is just another "men" created idea. I don't think God is going to spend time telling our leaders not to baptize children's whose parents are gays, especially when so much more going on in the world that is affecting the lives of billions of people.

I need more clarification on why the blessings of Church membership is being denied the children of gay couples. I understand why they cannot be sealed to their "same sex couple parents," but why cannot they partake of the blessings of Church membership? Is it fair to punish the children for the sins of their parents????

Jesus speaks in Matthew 19:14, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence."

This policy is politely veiled discrimination and nothing more. Hiding this policy behind a protecting the family message does not make it any less hurtful or wrong. Love is not at its center, but rather fear of that which we cannot control.

may our saviour continue to guide our leaders in the way he wants his church to be organised on this earth. may they stand firm in these last days of corruption.

What would Jesus do?

Thank you Elder Christofferson for your service and for your kind words. I sustain you as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you and may the Lord bless you in your service.

so what happened to same sex couple goes to church every Sunday with the kids what happens to them see this is why I disagree with church policy

"Satan’s greatest threat today is to destroy the family, and to make a mockery of the law of chastity and the sanctity of the marriage covenant" - The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 227.

Solid, well said Elder Chistofferson. Obviously we need to confirm our own testimony of this and not just take his word for it. I do believe he is called of God and that his intentions are pure. The Church is directed by Jesus Christ, not by man.

At 6:05 Elder Christofferson says "... and they [the child] can make an informed and conscious decision about that. Nothing is lost to them in the end if that's the direction they want to go". I disagree with this, because would the child not be losing, at least in part, a connection with their parents by declaring that they think their parent's love for each other is a sin?

Orson Pratt also warned: All churches which have not faith to obtain revelations and laws by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, are not the churches of God. Though they may pretend to great piety; profess to be Christians; make long prayers; preach eloquent sermons, and meet together every Sabbath day under the pretense of worshipping God, yet if they have not faith to obtain new revelations, and visions, and the ministry of angels, they are not the church of God, and are deceiving themselves and others with a false and [101] delusive religion; a religion by which they will perish, as the scripture saith, “Where there is no vision the people perish.” (Orson Pratt’s Works, p. 70) It is evident that the early Christians had so far changed the Gospel of Jesus Christ that it soon became a “form of Godliness without the power thereof,” and the decisions of the councils of men superseded the word of God. the Holy Spirit was that which would enable them to prophesy, see visions, dream dreams, and guide them into all truth, reveal unto them the things of the Father, and show them things to come; hence it was a Spirit greatly to be desired, and they wished to know how they might obtain it; . . . (JD 14:177) Here is an indictment of the Church: if they have the true Gospel, they will have the Holy Ghost, all the spiritual gifts and the power of God. Conversely, if the Latter-day Saints today have no spiritual gifts, lack the power of the Priesthood and have no manifestations of the Holy Ghost, then it follows that we no longer have the true Gospel. The early Christians lost the power of the Priesthood and gifts of the Holy Ghost because they changed the ordinances, broke their covenants, and transgressed the laws of the Gospel. The question now remains-are we doing the same things and following the same path? All must travel to their own personal Gethsemane, and some may continue to their Calvary. It seems strange that the Apostle James would say, “whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God;” (James 4:4) yet the Apostle John said, “God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son” to save it! When Jesus sent His missionaries out into the world, He warned them: “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.” (Matt. 10:16) The question now arises as to why the righteous are always persecuted? Looking through history, the most righteous seem to have suffered the worst forms of persecution, plundering and death. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave a key to the reason for such persecution: He that will war the true Christian warfare against the corruptions of these last days will have wicked men and angels of devils, and all the infernal powers of darkness continually arrayed against him. (TPJS, p. 259) It is evident that the Priesthood is to speak out against corruption, but in doing so, it arouses opposition. I prophesy, in the name of the Lord God of Israel, anguish and wrath and tribulation and the withdrawing of the Spirit of God from the earth await this generation, until they are visited with utter desolation. This generation is as corrupt as the generation of the Jews that crucified Christ; and if He were here today, and should preach the same doctrine He did then, they would put Him to death. (TPJS, p. 328

Helpful clarification. Thank you.

Thank you, Elder Christofferson.

How would you disavow the practice of same sex marriage when going on a mission?

The purpose of the policy is to protect the children. It wouldn't be fair for small children to have to decide between their parents and the church. God stated his purposes for men and women in Genesis chapters 1 to 2. "So God Created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God Said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply... Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

Those who oppose this policy stubbornly place their emotions above the will of God. It's much that same as with those who feel justified in breaking any other of God's commandments. We were born into a world of various self-destructive temptations. In His wisdom, God warned us not to succumb to these temptations by giving us His commandments and other advice through His prophets. Those who think they are wiser than God will be sadly disappointed in the end.

Why are those in favour of same-sex attraction in relation to marriage & religion, so incapable of debating the point with any form of intelligence? Why is it, people are more than willing to shout about how God loves everyone, but fail to accept that God has also pointed out who we are and aren't to have sex with ..... As Peter Hitchens pointed out 16:40 (18:15) - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wrwuk6NoMv8.html _"You make a point and they neither rebut it nor acknowledge it. I don't mind they can do either, but as long as they do one, if you make a point and they just ignore it, and change the subject as if you never said it, then that's not an argument. Arguing with people who don't know how to argue is like playing chess with a squirrel, there's no future in it!"_ All i see are weak comments and people who no more know how to create a cogent argument in favour for same-sex attraction & religion, than my 3-month-old nephew.

I think this video is a great way for someone to understand how this new policy will really protect children, their family, and the LDS church. I have talked to a friend who is gay and she understands the policy and why it is in place. She said she would be happy if her kids choose to attend the church and to not have resentment towards anyone because of their home lifestyle. I hope that everyone can do their best to love everyone and act in a way that reflects what they believe.

It seems funny that they come out with the changes to the hand book at the same time the new mayor of Salt Lake is elected and that she is in a same sex marriage. hhhhhmmmmm makes ya think.

It sounds like our detractors here either didn't listen carefully to this message from Elder Christofferson, or are not familiar with Christ's teachings in the New Testament. There should be compassion for all AND a firm stance against sin. Compassion-for-all includes not introducing tension into an impressionable young person's home by instilling a belief system in them that contradicts what they're taught by their parents.

Beautifully said.

Well said Elder Christofferson. Thanks so much for clarifying.

You know it's bad when you refuse to give any interviews with media and have to stage an interview with your head of public affairs. Carefully planned and rehearsed.

To those of you who insist that Christ would never ask people to wait to receive his gospel I point you to Matthew 10:5 where he forbid the teaching of the gospel to the gentiles....it wasn't until after the the death of Jesus Christ that Peter was commanded by God to take the gospel to the gentil nations (Acts 10: 11-28) Sometimes God requires our faith even when he asks things that we do not at the present time understand. (see Isaiah 55:8-9) These children are not being denied anything....they are being allowed to wait until they are old enough to make the decison.

now you know why the need of restoratio in person not by books but by himself and his father who sent him for this special ocacion Isaiah says nice and clear

All of the people crying that they're leaving the Church because of this, who are you kidding? We all know you weren't committed to begin with, and would have ended up leaving sooner or later. And don't you dare say this is about the children, you're just trying to feel self righteous over this. Why didn't you leave for the children of polygamist families? They've been dealing with this same policy for a while, and I bet this affects them more than children of SSM, since most of them live in Utah and come from religious households.

I love the way Elder Christofferson explains these changes in a firm, loving and understanding way!

Wow, I hope they "disavow" this policy asap, otherwise there may need to be a new version of the LDS Scriptures that says: "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not -- unless they are related to our gay brothers and sisters."

Elder Christofferson, is a great man and a did a great job on explaining a difficult issue. Thanks!

requiring children of same sex marriage to disavow their parents' marriage? so cruel.

I always appreciate hearing from Elder Christofferson, who uses such clarity.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Powerful and full of love.

I honestly do not understand why gay Mormons, and their Mormon family and friends, do not simply seek out the Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. It is the branch of the Mormon faith the followed Joseph Smith's son Joseph Smith III instead of Brigham Young. It views Smith as a prophet, and it views the Book of Mormon as a holy text. However, it is supportive of gay rights, has gay clergy and congregants, and allows it's churches to conduct gay marriages should they choose to do so. Why stay in one Mormon sect that does not accept and support you when there is one that will accept and support you?

whelp if missionaries come to my door, I'll just tell em I'm gay(not that I am), but then invite them in. lol. what would be the point. even though they consider homosexuality a grievous sin, they won't do anything to "help" you about it. I mean they did in the past(electro shock), but now they figured out it's not a choice but still just want to be bigots over it.

The TRUTH is that while Christofferson says the church never changes it's mind, "it was what it was and is what it is...just like Jesus taught," he is greatly mistaken. Before 1978 Mormons, did not give Black men the Priesthood. They are changing the More-MAN church all the time. The man-made institution is bound to crumble as more people wake up to the truth of a non-judging, unconditionally loving God. My heart goes out to the Mormon LGBT youth who have to tolerate this and be called "sinners" when they have done nothing wrong. There have been thousands of Mormon suicides because not only do they equivocate being gay to being a murderer, they try to reprogram them to not being gay anymore using a system that has brought death to many people. It's outrageous. Please hang in there LGBTQ Mormon kids, you are loved, and there is nothing wrong with you, so don't buy into this nonsense.

We are not going to yield in our efforts to bring people to the path that will lead to happiness. There is no kindness in misleading people to believe that sin will lead to happiness.

What happens with a child who lives part time with a heterosexual couple and part time with homosexual couple such as in a joint custody after a divorce situation?

It seems to me that this new policy is just a way to reaffirm the stance on same sex marriage. With the legalization of same sex marriage that the next step would be the lose of religious rights. For example to be forced to allow same sex marriage in temples.

@ Brad Beachell I love that you think you are more informed about my faith than I am. I used to be an Anti-Mormon, so I totally understand that you actually believe the unreliable sources that you are reading. And if you honestly think that your comment will have any influence on me, you are sure wrong sweetheart. Discerning truth and lies is really easy when you take it to the Lord in prayer. But I am going to assume that that's not something you are willing to do. So your search for eternal truths is in vain. I am a bi-sexual Mormon how struggled with change in policy, simply because I thought it wasn't fair to the kids of same sex marriage couples. But I took my concern to the Lord, and received an increased knowledge and understanding. But like I said before, my opinion and life experiences don't matter to you. I don't know you, but I am sure deep down you have a great heart. I love people know matter what differences they have. That's basically what this world needs more of.

One of the best days of my life was when I realized this kind of sugar-coated hatred was not actually coming from God.

The Supreme Court does not make decisions; it renders opinions. There is nothing in the Constitution that gives the Federal Government any jurisdiction in marriage, as per the 10th Amendment. Therefore, the Supreme Court had no right to render such an opinion, and the Church needs to challenge the constitutionality of the opinion of the Supreme Court. The states and counties have the right to nullify the Supreme Court opinions.

That one time the church made a video to explain their policy and all those crazy anti mormon (and anti God) people showed up to yell their hate without even watching the explanation. Ya that just happened.

"We believe a man should punished for their own sins and not Adam's transgressions". Meaning not being punished for sins of the father. The church might not allow these kids be baptized but the church will turn around and do baptisms for the dead of these very names after they have died without permission General Athority please just once lead, just once please be ahead at the front of social equality!

That helped clear some things up. The Church is not requiring a child to disavow their parents. That's ridiculous. But they do have to "disavow" or be clear in the understanding that homosexual relationships are considered Immoral by God's law and therefore, by the Church.

Great clarification.

Why do they not closed caption these videos for the deaf?

Regardless of whoever would've or will interview Elder Christifferson or any of the leaders of the LDS church the answers would be the in the same context of understanding, not only does this make sense but following this and understanding it is more of a reflection of our faith in God's will and his calling of prophets and apostles of this day. I sustain the prophets and apostles.

There's a big difference between homosexuals and polygamists. For one, Mormonism wasn't founded by homosexuals.

then why are the children expected to deny their parents if they want to serve in the church.

Everything boils down to faith in Christ and humility. Let me share with you my experience in the same way I would speak to my own brother: We can all be arguing for years or even centuries and reach no solid conclusions on any policy or doctrine of God...and all conclusions would be based on our own logic. Whenever we accept that the things of God are to be discerned spiritually and confirmed by the Spirit of truth, then we will stop wasting our time and energy trying to prove or disprove what is truth by logic, opinion, personal agendas or what it may seem a good cause. Just one experience only under the influence of the Holly Ghost can vanish away all the reasoning of man. I wish you, all who oppose the Mormon faith or its leaders, because you cannot understand that there is a prophet on earth, that you will get to the point to exercise faith in Christ, and read the Book of Mormon and the words of living prophets with an open heart (clean from preconceptions and negative judgments) and then kneel down in all humility to ask God with a sincere heart to confirm if these things are true and come from Him. Then, and only then, if we meet the requirements of being humble enough and ask with an honest heart, having faith in Christ the Lord, we will get to know the truth of these things. It may take us many attempts, till our hearts are ready to receive. Otherwise, we will be abandoned to your own logic and desires (which will always be limited and inaccurate, and eventually it will be foolishness when contrasted with things as they really are). I hope and truly wish we achieve this knowledge sooner than later (so we don´t have to discover these truths when we stand in front of the Lord or in the other side of the veil and will feel really bad for fighting against what we did not know, just because choosing wanting to be right, and choosing spiritual darkness over light and truth). And when we reach this knowledge, then we will be proclaiming to the world, filled with joy and gratitude, the same message the prophets, missionaries, and members of the LDS church are sharing with you yesterday, today and tomorrow. You will be asking opponents to the Mormon faith or even members of the mormon faith who have lost the perspective, and everyone else on this earth that the only way to reach truth is to pray with a humble heart so we may know the truth from the only source of pure knowledge, God. I know Elder Christofferson is a true Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know we have living prophets of God. I paid the price to reach this knowledge through much praying, fasting, praying, fasting, studying, seeking, asking, searching in all sincerity, denying myself from my own personal agenda. If you have not reached that knowledge yet, I invite you to pray about it. Then, when you know that we have living prophets, you will rejoice for that. May the Lord bless you all so you may pursue such path of light and truth. Your brother, Joaquin.

horrible. and what about children who have one parent in a same sex marriage and the other in a straight marriage.

At 4:02 - "There is no kindness in misdirecting people and leading them into any misunderstanding about what is true, what is right, what is wrong." The irony in that statement is KILLING me!!!

Thank you.

I assure you that God is real. He lives! He loves you! Everything he and His Church leaders do- is out of love for you. I know this to be true. If you only knew how much He loves you, If only you could understand how much He cares, oh how it would change your life. I know that the Prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are true and living Prophets of God. I am so grateful to have their inspired guidance in these latter-days.

Wonderful doctrinal consistency and purity.

The Truth: It is a Natural Law that if you do good things you go to Heaven, if you do bad things you go to Hell. Oil floats on water, pebbles sink. Anything else is delusion. Elder Christofferson, even you can find happiness by living your life according to Natural Law. Be Happy.

1 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish. 2 Mephistopheles 26

"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Im going to let the words of Jesus Christ sit here and stand as a testimony against the LDS leadership. They deserve to be ashamed and embarrassed for this.

The Church could have not allowed any comments on this video. But, they are permitting people to express their thoughts. Let's see just how many of those comments are not just outright attacks against the Church.

No there is no parallel between Polygamy & Same Sex Marriage - One is an INCLUSIVE contract and involves 3 or more the other EXCLUSIVE between 2 - Same sex marriage is paralleled with opposite sex marriage - they are both exclusive with the same unique position of the spouse