Taking Photos in Chapel after Meeting

After a Sacrament Service including a Returning Missionary of our Family, before family members left the chapel, I took pictures of various family members, so I could share them with the Missionary's Parents, who are out of the country themselves on a Mission. I felt it would be wonderful for them to see who in the family was there for the "report." The handbook, as worded, seems to say that "under no circumstances" are photos to be taken in the Chapel, before, during, or after a meeting. There appear to be no exceptions. Does that mean that a Chapel is like the Temple? No photos in the Chapel because it is "sacred space" as much as is the Temple? Is there a "spirit of the law" in this policy? I can stand in the foyer and take pictures of the Chapel. It seems to me that the INTENT of the policy is really saying: No photos are to be taken in the Chapel during a meeting."

It seems to me that no photographs in the Chapel at any time is an extreme interpretation of the stated policy.

By the way, I am the Ward Historian. I've taken photos of our lovely Chapel interior for our Ward History. What would a history be like that didn't include photos of where our Ward events happen! The Chapel itself is an important part of our history: hence, photos.

Who is in charge of the policies in the Handbook? How do you contact them?

I'll refer you to 0.3 of the Handbook:

Questions about Instructions
Leaders who have questions about information in the handbooks or about issues that are not addressed should direct the questions to their immediate presiding authority.

Hmmm. I know I've taken pics in the chapel and uploaded them into FIR to show which light was burned out, or the exact location of a scratch on a pew. And never gotten any pushback about that. But I would be interested in seeing if you get any more info from your leader(s), if they know anything more than we do

In case it's helpful for future visitors who land on this topic, section 35 of the General Handbook that had this policy was updated yesterday.

This is the previous text:

35.4.15
Photographs, Video Recordings, and Broadcasts in Chapels
Because chapels are sacred, taking photographs or making video recordings in chapels is not permitted. For information about streaming meetings and other events that are held in the chapel, see 29.7.

Now the equivalent section says this:

35.5.10
Photographs and Video Recordings during Sacrament Meeting
Sacrament meetings are sacred. For this reason, photographing or recording sacrament meetings is not allowed.
For information about broadcasting or streaming sacrament and other meetings, see 29.7.

So, there is no longer a general policy against photos and videos in the chapel, as long as it's not during sacrament meeting.

So, it's OK for the membership to take photos of the GA speaking during stake conference?

The new policy seems a tad narrow.

38.8.4 (taking photos of general authorities in the chapel) and 38.2.2 (taking photos or videos of ordinances) are also relevant. It would be nice if they were linked or all in the same section to make them easier to find.

Unless I'm missing something, chapel weddings are now an attractive option for those who can't do temple weddings.

russellhltn wrote: Thu Dec 16, 2021 12:19 pm Unless I'm missing something, chapel weddings are now an attractive option for those who can't do temple weddings.

In addition to photography, applause is no longer discouraged in the chapel. 19.9.1 used to say "Some cultural and recreational music may be presented in the chapel on weekdays. However, the cultural hall is usually a more appropriate setting for such music. … Applause is not usually appropriate in the chapel." Now, 19.3.5 says: "The chapel may occasionally be used for cultural arts events that include secular music, such as concerts, recitals, and other presentations. While applause is discouraged in worship services, it may be appropriate for these events." Chapter 19 is the chapter on music, but the change seems to describe use of the chapel in general.

Our nondenominational community choir just finished performing our Christmas program in two stake center chapels, with the approval of the associated stake presidents. Polite applause was also approved. Our usual Christmas venues include the Assembly Hall on Temple Square and the Kaysville Tabernacle, both of which are undergoing renovations. It was a great blessing to have places to perform! In one of the stake centers, video and audio recordings were made for the choir's YouTube channel. I'm very grateful this type of thing is now aligned with the direction spelled out in the handbook.

In addition to photography, applause is no longer discouraged in the chapel

sbradshaw, I really appreciate these responses where you help us understand the "before-and-after" effect of Handbook changes. I understand it might just be too overwhelming (especially when they have re-written the entire handbook in two years), for the release notes to list each-and-every change. I know many of us have had leaders who (correctly) were very specific about do's and don'ts in the chapel, and it's good to have this clarity on what the Handbook now states (as of 11:56pm EST on 12/22/21... )

Reading 35.5.10 and 35.5.15, it does indeed seem like recording a wedding ceremony in the chapel is now okay. Livestreaming the ceremony requires the permission of the Bishop, but nothing specific about recording the event for personal remembrance (Bishop permission is likely a good thing, but doesn't appear to be required).

I also don't think we'll ever have a handbook change that accounts for those excited families who record their children during sacrament meeting in the Primary Program, or when they give their first talk, etc. Generally by the time the Bishop notices they're recording, the meeting is well in progress, and how are you gonna stop that?

so are we allowed to take photos of wedding inside the sacrament hall? particularly in front of the pulpit?

olive16 wrote: Mon Jul 11, 2022 1:34 am so are we allowed to take photos of wedding inside the sacrament hall? particularly in front of the pulpit?

There's no longer a Church-wide policy against photos in the chapel (except during sacrament meeting). However, to be safe, you can check with the bishop at the building (there may be local policies).

I hope this helps:

Church Handbook of Instructions: 29.7

For the benefit of these members and others, the bishop may, as an exception, authorize a livestream of sacrament meetings and of funerals and weddings held in the meetinghouse. Streams allow others to see and hear a meeting remotely but not participate directly.

A livestream of a sacrament meeting should not include the administration of the sacrament. The stream should be paused during the sacrament and restarted afterward. Or the bishop may move the administration of the sacrament to the end of the meeting after the livestream has ended. The meeting would then close with a hymn and prayer.

The bishop may authorize a priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder to administer the sacrament in person to those who cannot attend the meeting (see 18.9.1).

For all of those asking about photos in the chapel-There has to be some rules folks. 2 reasons I'm glad for the rules: Just today we saw a man take photos of someone's baby in the pew in front of him. Without the knowledge or approval of the family. We waited to see if he knew them or would show them the photos after the meeting. He did none of those things. THAT'S ALARMING! The 2nd occurrence was an activity held at church where my son was photographed and then made fun of, bullying at its finest, in church no less. My son asked repeatedly for the other teenager to take down the photo-he did not. We had to contact the bishop for the photo to be taken down. Dear Sister's and Brother the rules protect us and guide us, just like the gospel does. Photos can easily be taken elsewhere and with permission. There are bigger things in life to be worried about.

When I was baptized in 2012 no photos could be taken. When my daughter baptized in 2021 we were told Baptism photos OK before and after Baptism just not the actual dunking. Yesterday members complained to me for taking photos of before and after dunking at a Baptism. If photos aare allowed at they wqere in 2021 at my daughters Baptism (just not the dunk) can anyone send me a link to that regulation.

I've always understood it to be you can take photos before and after the meeting but not during. I've never heard it was ok to take photo during the meeting as long as it wasn't of the ordnance.

KathleenLewisFamily wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:05 am When I was baptized in 2012 no photos could be taken. When my daughter baptized in 2021 we were told Baptism photos OK before and after Baptism just not the actual dunking. Yesterday members complained to me for taking photos of before and after dunking at a Baptism. If photos aare allowed at they wqere in 2021 at my daughters Baptism (just not the dunk) can anyone send me a link to that regulation.

Specific to pictures at a baptism, Handbook 38.2.2 discusses "Photographs, Recordings, and Transcriptions of Ordinances and Blessings". Photographs of a baptismal service are prohibited, but nothing is stated about pictures before or after the baptismal service. And if there's different opinions about what the "baptismal service" actually consists of, GHB 18.7.2 indicates it's what might be considered the "official portion", and wouldn't include the entire time that anyone is at the location where the baptism will occur.

And a broader statement about pictures during sacrament meetings or stake conferences, can be found in GHB 29.8

In addition to the instruction found in General Handbook, 38.2.2, there is instruction found in 38.1.1 for attendance at Church meetings. In 38.1.1 it states "The presiding officer is responsible to ensure that all who attend are respectful of the sacred setting. Those who attend should avoid disruptions or distractions contrary to worship or other purposes of the meeting." To avoid conflict and disruption of the spirit, a person wanting to take pictures should speak with the presiding officer before the meeting about taking pictures and what guidance or limitations he is directed by the spirit to give.