New Policy: Developmentally Disabled and the Temple

[cinepro]

I attended a Temple sealing for a relative recently. They have an adult sibling who is developmentally disabled (mentally, he's about five years old). For years, he has sat outside with the other young relatives for family sealings. This time, he was in the waiting room, and my wife inquired as to who was going to sit with him. To our surprise, he had been given a special recommend and attended the sealing along with the rest of his brothers and sisters.

Not sure how new this policy is, but it's interesting to see changes like this. I wonder what other small adjustments have been made in areas like this...?

[Duncan]

In our temple district there is a man who is not down's syndrome but something similar. He is endowed and someone soemwhere said he is accountable and he's completely fine going through a session.

[Pyreaux]

An autistic girl was able to get her endowment last year. She was raised in the church and has to be older than 30 now. I don't know if things changed and/or it takes time and attention to prepare people with special needs. It could have a cost. She speaks in Fast and Testimony meeting, shares personal details of her patriarchal blessing and her temple experiences. Her intent is pure, she can retain what she is told but she may have trouble guarding it.

[bsjkki]

This is a very personal decision. It’s not something I will seek for my autistic daughter. 

[bluebell]

11 hours ago, bsjkki said:

This is a very personal decision. It’s not something I will seek for my autistic daughter. 

Do you mean you wouldn’t not seek a special recommend so she could attend a family member’s sealing or do you mean not helping her become endowed?

One seems pretty different from the other and I’d love to understand your perspective better.

 

 

[bsjkki]

6 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Do you mean you wouldn’t not seek a special recommend so she could attend a family member’s sealing or do you mean not helping her become endowed?

One seems pretty different from the other and I’d love to understand your perspective better.

 

 

With my daughter at this time, I would do neither but was more referring to getting endowed. I think a special recommend to attend a sealing is a kind policy for special needs family members.

[MustardSeed]

37 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Do you mean you wouldn’t not seek a special recommend so she could attend a family member’s sealing or do you mean not helping her become endowed?

One seems pretty different from the other and I’d love to understand your perspective better.

 

 

My friend has 3 autistic adult children.  Two I’m sure have their recommends, one she would never.  He can’t get through a sacrament without a major disruption.  

[bluebell]

3 hours ago, bsjkki said:

With my daughter at this time, I would do neither but was more referring to getting endowed. I think a special recommend to attend a sealing is a kind policy for special needs family members.

That makes sense. 

[rpn]

I taught a non-verbal 13 year old once who had not been baptized and whose parents had decided she should not be baptized.   She didn't act like she understood anything and couldn't talk to any of us either.   There was a cabinet in the room that was not square, so its door kept creeping open.  Over several weeks I watch her be increasing annoyed by it.  The next week, she came to class early and started trying things to make it stop falling open.  The third thing she tried, worked.   I knew that for all her outward presentation, she was absolutely capable of keeping baptismal covenants and should be baptized.   I did share my experience with the bishop, but that decision is typically left to parents.  Outward appearance of a person with disabilities do not always accurately convey possibilities.   Of course those who are developmentally disabled should be able to do everything they physically can do with help in the temple if they choose.

Edited May 9 by rpn