First Presidency Exception for Baptism of a Convict

Section 16.3.14 of Handbook I covers Church policy on baptism of Persons Who Have Been Convicted of Crimes. In most cases they are not eligible for baptism until completing their ters of parole or probation... unless the First Presidency grants an exception.

I am trying to determine for my Bishop (I am the Ward Clerk) the process for applying for an exception from the First Presidency. What form/forms are needed for the application process? Or, can someone point out the Section in the Handbook that provides these directions. Thanks...

kjensen2010 wrote:I am trying to determine for my Bishop (I am the Ward Clerk) the process for applying for an exception from the First Presidency. What form/forms are needed for the application process? Or, can someone point out the Section in the Handbook that provides these directions. Thanks...

In general, bishops are to consult with the stake president on such matters. The stake president is the one who makes any requests of the First Presidency, if he agrees that this is an appropriate course of action. For this particular situation, I really doubt there is any particular form -- the stake president would simply write a letter to the Office of the First Presidency, explaining the situation and the justification for an exception to policy.

kjensen2010 wrote:Section 16.3.14 of Handbook I covers Church policy on baptism of Persons Who Have Been Convicted of Crimes. In most cases they are not eligible for baptism until completing their ters of parole or probation... unless the First Presidency grants an exception.

I am trying to determine for my Bishop (I am the Ward Clerk) the process for applying for an exception from the First Presidency. What form/forms are needed for the application process? Or, can someone point out the Section in the Handbook that provides these directions. Thanks...

As aebrown has said, the bishop would consult with the stake president on this matter, and the stake president would make the request to the First Presidency.

Of interest, this would only apply if the baptismal candidate is 8 years old. If the candidate is 9 or older, it is the mission president who would be applying to the First Presidency for an exception, if the exception is not already covered in his Mission Presidents Handbook.

lajackson wrote:Of interest, this would only apply if the baptismal candidate is 8 years old. If the candidate is 9 or older, it is the mission president who would be applying to the First Presidency for an exception, if the exception is not already covered in his Mission Presidents Handbook.

What if the baptism was for re-admission? Wouldn't that bounce it back to the bishop or stake president?

jbh001 wrote:What if the baptism was for re-admission? Wouldn't that bounce it back to the bishop or stake president?

A baptism to readmit a member who has been excommunicated takes place under the direction of the stake president, who seeks approval from the First Presidency where required. Carefully follow the instructions in Handbook 1 and on the Report of Disciplinary Action.

If the bishop was authorized to hold the council, he sends his report to the stake president, who will take it from there and let the bishop know when all is approved for the baptism to take place. Sometimes the stake president is able to approve the readmission, and the baptism takes place before the Report is sent to the First Presidency. If First Presidency approval is required, the recommendation is sent forward by the stake president and he awaits their approval before the baptism takes place.

In either case, the stake president would request any exception from the First Presidency as a part of the Disciplinary Council process. The way this would be handled would normally be discussed between the bishop and stake president before the stake president authorizes the bishop to hold the council (if he is going to give that authorization).

The bishop really needs to speak with the stake president about this one.

Thanks for the insight. I kind of thought that this would go through the Mission President or Stake President. My Bishop indicated that he had spoken to the SP who told him to proceed with the application to the First Presidency, thus my question. By the way, this is a convert baptism (not a readmit). Strange situation to say the least, but the insight here confirmed what I assumed was the approach that should be taken.

kjensen2010 wrote:Thanks for the insight. I kind of thought that this would go through the Mission President or Stake President. My Bishop indicated that he had spoken to the SP who told him to proceed with the application to the First Presidency, thus my question. By the way, this is a convert baptism (not a readmit). Strange situation to say the least, but the insight here confirmed what I assumed was the approach that should be taken.

Since this is a convert baptism, the mission president would be the one to make the request to the First Presidency. He may ask the stake president (and the bishop) to assist with letters and information, since they may be more familiar with the situation.

If an excommunicated member with an application with the Office of the First Presidency has stopped attending Church, what happens to the application? is it still processed? Will the Stake President recieve a reply? The Office of the First Presidency asks a question of the applicant every 6-8 months spanning years.

xy12 wrote:If an excommunicated member with an application with the Office of the First Presidency has stopped attending Church, what happens to the application? is it still processed? Will the Stake President recieve a reply? The Office of the First Presidency asks a question of the applicant every 6-8 months spanning years.

As long as the First Presidency has all of the needed information, the application still will continue to be processed. If the First Presidency asks a question (through the stake president), the application holds until the question is answered, then proceeds with processing again.

If the stake president believes the application should be held because the member has stopped attending Church, he may inform the First Presidency and they will make an appropriate decision.

Thank you lajackson, your response has been most helpful and clear. Very good.

How long does it take after the stake president has consulted the First Presidency? Is it a long process? If given approval from the First Presidency, how soon can the convert get baptized? Is there an additional process??

cmvake wrote:How long does it take after the stake president has consulted the First Presidency? Is it a long process? If given approval from the First Presidency, how soon can the convert get baptized? Is there an additional process??

You are mixing two questions. If this concerns an ex-communicated member, the stake president coordinates the process. If this concerns a convert who wishes to be baptized, then the mission president coordinates the process.

In either case, these are questions best answered by having the stake or mission president call the Office of the First Presidency. If the question is asked, their secretary is usually willing to provide general guidelines concerning how long these applications take to process once all of the necessary information is available and the application is in order.

Also in either case, once the First Presidency has made a decision and communicated it to the stake or mission president, there is no time requirement before baptism, which may take place under the authority of the stake or mission president as soon as permission has been received and arrangements may be made.

How long it will take the First Presidency may be difficult to answer. In the past, I've been given the impression these things are decided in regularly scheduled meetings. However, the meeting has a time limit. Anything not resolved by the end of the meeting will be deferred to the next meeting. As a result, I've found that even knowledgeable church employees have trouble predicting when something will be reviewed. It depends too much on how long it takes for them to work their way though the list of items to be addressed.

However, my experience was based on decisions about technical matters. I'd imagine that this kind of decision will have more urgency and a higher priority. But I'd still expect it to be handled in a regular meeting and it would still be subject to how many other applications are in ahead of it.

Ok- my question has been answered. Thanks!

My friend "joined" the church while he was in prison. He will be getting out and off parole in June 2018. He is anxiously waiting for the day when he can get baptized.
Should we refer him to the missionaries once he gets out and then let them take it from there?

6of12 wrote:Should we refer him to the missionaries once he gets out and then let them take it from there?

Yes, but there is no rush, since he will probably need to wait until next year to be baptized. In the meantime, I would refer him to the ward he will be attending where he will live. The missionaries will find him there, but it is more important that the bishop find him, as well.

i filed for an exception with the first presidency a year ago. I was denied, however I continued to show up for church, partake of sacrament, and volunteer when I can. Am I able to appeal the first presidency's decision? Would it make a difference if I have a letter of support from the bishop, stake president and some senior missionaries who can attest to my continued growth and dedication in coming to church and church related activities?

bigdave208 wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:24 pm I filed for an exception with the first presidency a year ago.

Did your mission president make the request on your behalf?

I would suggest that you visit with your bishop and stake president and let them know of your desire. Your stake president will be able to visit with the mission president and determine what further steps may be taken, if any.

So much depends on the circumstances of your particular case, and it would be totally inappropriate and off-topic to discuss that here at the Forum.

The procedure is that the mission president makes any recommendation for an exception to the First Presidency. If that has already happened, then the mission president would need to determine if there have been sufficient changes to warrant making another request to the First Presidency since the original request was made.

In the meantime, I would recommend that you continue to faithfully attend and participate as you are allowed, and counsel with your bishop, who will work with the stake president and the mission president to determine the best steps to take from here.