Church moves to prevent LDS Bishops officiating non member civil marriages

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IHAQ
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Church moves to prevent LDS Bishops officiating non member civil marriages

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Lay leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints no longer can perform civil marriages between nonmembers.

The faith’s governing First Presidency announced changes Wednesday to “conditions in which church officers may perform civil marriages between a man and a woman.”

Starting immediately, bishops, mission presidents and other congregational leaders can perform such ceremonies only if “the bride or the groom” is a Latter-day Saint.

Church policy previously allowed these lay leaders to do the honors for nonmembers.

The church also states that at least one of the prospective newlyweds must be a member in the leader’s ecclesiastical unit. And the officiator must be legally authorized to perform a civil marriage in that jurisdiction.

The updated policy also applies to stake presidents and district presidents (who oversee clusters of congregations).
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2021/06 ... t-leaders/

Here's link to a PDF of the letter that was issued.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... atures.pdf

On the one hand they are cosying up to other religions, whilst simultaneously enforcing the separation.
This also reinforces the handbook guidance that Mormon Bishops shouldn't officiate at same sex non member marriages, even though they are legally allowed to do so in non Church venues. So a Mormon Bishop who's son or daughter is getting a same sex marriage, cannot officiate the ceremony. A family orientated Church....don't make me laugh!
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