wwb58 wrote:I just checked hand book1 chapter16.13 still says no they can’t.
I agree with your interpretation of the Handbook, but looking over
Summary of Recent Updates to Handbook 1, it's clear that despite the Handbook being updated in May, the changes announced in April have not yet been incorporated. For some of the past changes, it seems to take about 6 months.
From
Newsroom (emphasis added)
Details shared by President Oaks
At the direction of the First Presidency, President Oaks shared that effective immediately, children of parents who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may be baptized without First Presidency approval if the custodial parents give permission for the baptism and understand both the doctrine that a baptized child will be taught and the covenants he or she will be expected to make.
A nonmember parent or parents (including LGBT parents) can request that their baby be blessed by a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder. These parents need to understand that congregation members will contact them periodically, and that when the child who has been blessed reaches 8 years of age, a Church member will contact them and propose that the child be baptized.
In reviewing the Letters site, I see an a new letter with today's date indicating the Handbook has been updated. So, I suspect we'll see something very shortly.
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