NPR

In Major Shift, Mormon Church Rolls Back Controversial Policies Toward LGBT Members

"We want to reduce the hate and contention so common today," said LDS President Dallin Oaks. Church doctrine will consider same-sex marriage "a serious transgression" but not apostasy.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Thursday that it will no longer consider people in same-sex marriages to be apostates. Here, a pride flag flies in front of the Historic Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City as part of a 2015 protest of the church's LGBT policies.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Thursday that it was reversing its controversial 2015 policy that classified people in same-sex marriages as "apostates." The Mormon church had also barred the children of such marriages from blessing or baptism until age 18.

The change was attributed to President Dallin Oaks, and the church said it was intended to "help affected families" and "to reduce the hate and contention

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min read
There's Still A Chance To See The Northern Lights From Lower Latitudes
The solar storm that's pushing sightings of the Northern Lights to lower latitudes is forecast to continue into the coming days, but its impact has likely peaked.
NPR4 min read
Israel Expands Evacuation Orders In Rafah As Aid Groups Struggle To Prepare
Israel's military issued new evacuation orders in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, forcing even more Palestinians to relocate on Saturday ahead of a likely expanded ground operation there.
NPR5 min read
The Met Gala Has Fueled Backlash Against Stars Who Are Silent About The Gaza Conflict
A fast-growing social media campaign to block stars for not speaking out escalated this week after the star-studded New York event.

Related Books & Audiobooks