Recent updates to General Handbook

[JAHS]

Summary of Recent Updates

May 2024
Chapter 6: Stake Leadership

6.2.1.1. Melchizedek Priesthood (deleted a reference to the stake high priests quorum meeting, which will no longer be held)

6.8. Stake Specialists (added interpretation coordinator to the list of optional stake specialists)

Chapter 10: Aaronic Priesthood Quorums

10.3. Bishopric (changed “young men and young women” to “rising generation” [see 7.1])

Chapter 11: Young Women

11.3.1. Bishopric (changed “young women and young men” to “rising generation” [see 7.1])

Chapter 12: Primary

12.1. Purpose and Organization (updated the purpose of Primary)

12.1.2. Primary Theme (moved the first paragraph to 12.3.5)

12.1.3. Nursery (section moved from 12.1.5; new section number is shown; subsequent sections in 12.1 have been renumbered)

12.1.4. Classes (new section number is shown; added a paragraph explaining the curriculum used in Primary classes)

12.1.6. Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation (new section; information moved from 12.2.1.2)

12.1.7. Temple and Priesthood Preparation Meeting (new section; information moved from 12.2.1.2)

12.2.1.2. Gospel Learning (moved “Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation” to 12.1.6 and “Temple and Priesthood Preparation Meeting” to 12.1.7)

12.2.1.3. Service and Activities (simplified the purposes of service and activities)

12.3.3. Secretary (updated the wording of the bullet point about children who will advance from Primary)

12.3.5. Teachers and Nursery Leaders (added the first paragraph, which was previously in 12.1.2; clarified curriculum for Primary)

Chapter 13: Sunday School

13.2.2.2. Responsibilities (updated information about recording Sunday School attendance)

13.5. Improving Learning and Teaching in the Home (updated information about teacher council meetings for parents)

Chapter 15: Seminaries and Institutes of Religion

Chapter 15 has been revised to reduce the size of the chapter.

Chapter 16: Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Chapter 16 has been revised to reduce the size of the chapter.

Chapter 17: Teaching the Gospel

17.4. Teacher Council Meetings (moved the paragraph about teacher council meetings for parents to 17.5)

17.5. Teacher Council Meetings for Parents (new section)

Chapter 18: Performing Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings

18.7.2. Baptismal Services (clarified planning confirmations of converts)

18.8. Confirmation and Gift of the Holy Ghost (clarified that bishops hold keys for confirmations of 8-year-old children of record only; revised language to allow converts to be confirmed either at the baptismal service or in sacrament meeting)

Chapter 20: Activities

20.5.5. Overnight Activities (clarified policies about overnight facilities)

20.7.7. Travel (updated the policy about long-distance travel)

Chapter 22: Providing for Temporal Needs and Building Self-Reliance

Chapter 22 has been revised to reduce the size of the chapter.

22.3.4. Minister to Those with Emotional Needs (added reference to Church resource Healing through the Savior: The Addiction Recovery Program)

22.10.1. Resources Coordinated by the Stake (added reference to Healing through the Savior: The Addiction Recovery Program)

Chapter 23: Sharing the Gospel and Strengthening New and Returning Members

23.1. Share the Gospel (added the video “Simple Ways to Love, Share, and Invite”)

23.1.3. Invite (deleted three videos, which are replaced by new video in 23.1; added new paragraphs referring to “Unite with Members” in Preach My Gospel, inviting others, and sharing Church resources)

23.4. Hold Weekly Coordination Meetings (moved section from 23.5.7; subsequent sections have been renumbered; title and section have been revised; added video)

23.6.3. Ward Mission Leader (new section number is shown; revised bullet 5)

23.6.5. Ward Council and Ward Youth Council (new section number is shown; revised list of resources)

23.5.7. Coordination Meetings (deleted; section moved to 23.4)

Chapter 24: Missionary Recommendations and Service

24.2.2. Young Service Missionaries (service missionaries now serve under the direction of a mission president, with the support of service mission leaders and the stake president)

24.2.4. Senior Service Missionaries (stake presidents no longer “give” but “approve” assignments)

24.2.5. Summary of Missionary Assignments (clarified that young service missionaries report to the mission president, through service mission leaders)

24.3.2.1. Repentance (added explanation that the stake president may counsel with the Area Presidency on questions about the length of time needed for repentance)

24.3.4.2. Financing Senior Missionaries Serving Away from Home (clarified information about housing contribution amounts and additional expenses)

24.3.5. Role of Family Members and Leaders in Preparing Missionaries (added references to Adjusting to Missionary Life and the section “Use Technology Righteously” in chapter 2 of Preach My Gospel)

24.4.3. Submitting Recommendations (changed when a stake president may submit a recommendation from 120 days before a candidate’s availability to 150 days; clarified bullet 3)

24.4.4. Those Unable to Serve as Full-Time Missionaries (added contact information of Missionary Department)

24.5.1. Temple Endowment and Temple Service (added language encouraging newly called missionaries to attend the temple as often as circumstances allow)

24.7.1. Identifying Opportunities for Service Missionaries (clarified that service mission leaders identify service opportunities for young service missionaries; revised list of examples of service missionary opportunities)

24.7.2. Housing and Transportation (clarified instructions about housing)

24.7.3. Training and Supervision (added information about the roles of the stake president, mission president and his wife, and service mission leaders)

24.7.5. Concluding a Service Mission (section revised and expanded)

24.9.3. Contact Information (title has been revised; added contact information for the Service Mission Office)

Chapter 26: Temple Recommends

26.3.3.1. Temple Recommend Interview Questions (adjusted question related to wearing the temple garment)

26.3.3.2. Wearing the Temple Garment (updated statement on wearing the garment)

Chapter 27: Temple Ordinances for the Living

27.4.4. Who May Attend a Sealing of Living Children to Parents (added clarification to the last paragraph)

Chapter 29: Meetings in the Church

29.2.1.4. Selecting Speakers (included children among those who may speak in sacrament meeting)

29.3.5. Stake High Priests Quorum Meeting (deleted because the meeting will no longer be held; subsequent sections have been renumbered)

29.7. Streaming Meetings and Holding Virtual Meetings (updated guidelines to allow members to save a copy of a streamed wedding or funeral)

29.9. Interpreting for Meetings (new section)

Chapter 30: Callings in the Church

30.8.1. Ward Callings (added “interpreters”)

30.8.3. Stake Callings (added “stake interpretation coordinator”)

Chapter 32: Repentance and Church Membership Councils

32.8.2. Helping People Address Addictions and Pornography Use (added reference to the Church resource Healing through the Savior: The Addiction Recovery Program; only the Church’s official program should be sponsored or hosted in Church buildings)

32.16.1. Membership Councils to Remove Formal Restrictions or Readmit a Person (cross-reference to 32.6.3.2 added to item 9e)

Chapter 33: Records and Reports

Chapter 33 has been revised to reduce the size of the chapter.

Chapter 36: Creating, Changing, and Naming New Units

36.1. Creating or Changing Stakes and Districts (updated minimum requirements)

36.2. Changing or Creating Wards and Branches in Stakes (updated minimum requirements)

Chapter 37: Specialized Stakes, Wards, and Branches

37.1. Language Wards and Branches (updated minimum requirements)

37.2. Young Single Adult Wards and Branches in a Geographic Stake (updated minimum requirements)

37.3. Young Single Adult Stakes and Their Wards and Branches (updated minimum requirements)

37.4. Married Student Stakes and Wards (updated minimum requirements)

37.5. Single Adult Wards (updated minimum requirements)

Chapter 38: Church Policies and Guidelines

38.4.1.3. Sealing of Living Members after a Spouse’s Death (clarified that a living man may be sealed to a deceased wife “if she is not currently sealed to another man”)

38.4.1.7. Sealing of Deceased Persons (clarified that a deceased man may be sealed to living women to whom he was married only if they “are not currently married”)

38.5.4. Making Temple Clothing (title has been revised; members may no longer make their own temple aprons)

38.5.5. Wearing the Garment (updated statement on wearing the garment)

38.6.9. Fertility Treatments (added cross-reference to 38.4.2.6 for information about the sealing of children who are conceived by artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization)

38.9.1. Stake Military Relations Leadership (added information about calling a military relations specialist)

38.9.3. Military Service Orientation (title has been revised; updated information about this orientation)

[Devobah]

Is there a link to all of these changes? Or did you go through and look for these comparisons? If it's the latter, then I appreciate your efforts.

[ZealouslyStriving]

1 hour ago, JAHS said:

38.4.2.6 for information about the sealing of children who are conceived by artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization)

Wait... So children conceived through IVF weren't/aren't considered born in the covenant?

Update: I went and read it. Was it not always so?

Edited June 1, 2024 by ZealouslyStriving

[webbles]

17 minutes ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

Wait... So children conceived through IVF weren't/aren't considered born in the covenant?

Update: I went and read it. Was it not always so?

I think it is just clarification.  The 2010, 2006, and 1998 handbook all say that children conceived through IVF are born in the covenant.

[Stargazer]

10 hours ago, Devobah said:

Is there a link to all of these changes? Or did you go through and look for these comparisons? If it's the latter, then I appreciate your efforts.

A summary of these changes are generally available on the church website, and links are sent to church leaders. In my position I get an email containing a link to them when they are released.

E.g. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/summary-of-recent-updates?lang=eng

You might also find the Official Communications Library of interest. Link here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/letters?lang=eng

 

Edited June 1, 2024 by Stargazer

[Stargazer]

12 hours ago, JAHS said:

38.5.4. Making Temple Clothing (title has been revised; members may no longer make their own temple aprons)

That's odd. The actual 38.5.4 says "Members should not make ceremonial temple clothing or temple garments." I wonder if the previous policy was that members could make their own aprons, but nothing else, and now this has changed.

Also, the language in the summary suggests it's not permitted, but the policy itself is not so firm. It says "should not," not "may not."

[webbles]

28 minutes ago, Stargazer said:

That's odd. The actual 38.5.4 says "Members should not make ceremonial temple clothing or temple garments." I wonder if the previous policy was that members could make their own aprons, but nothing else, and now this has changed.

Also, the language in the summary suggests it's not permitted, but the policy itself is not so firm. It says "should not," not "may not."

The language from at least 2022 (using archive.org) said:

Quote

38.5.4
Making Temple Aprons

Members may make their own temple aprons if they use one of the approved apron kits. These kits are available from a Church Distribution store or from store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Members should not make other ceremonial temple clothing or temple garments.

[telnetd]

55 minutes ago, Stargazer said:

Also, the language in the summary suggests it's not permitted, but the policy itself is not so firm. It says "should not," not "may not."

Is there a difference between "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou may not steal"?

[SeekingUnderstanding]

3 hours ago, telnetd said:

Is there a difference between "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou may not steal"?

Shall and should are not interchangable. 

[Stargazer]

5 hours ago, telnetd said:

Is there a difference between "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou may not steal"?

So... you've mistaken church policies for commandments?

[CV75]

17 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

Wait... So children conceived through IVF weren't/aren't considered born in the covenant?

Update: I went and read it. Was it not always so?

I was part of the original policy's development back in 1981, helping prepare a position for approval; 38.4.2.7 and 38.6.22 also. Originally, the proposal, which I think was reflected in the earlier handbooks (hopefully someone has a copy to share!), was that the AI, IVF or surrogate-born child is sealed to the mother (meaning the egg donor) and to whomever she is sealed.

They seem to have left the egg donor part out, and instead refer surrogacy to the stake president / OFP to avoid getting into the weeds on who is donating what and how, including the  morality of how the surrogate mother became pregnant and whether or not she was the egg donor.

They also seem to have left out the scenario where the egg is donated by a woman not sealed to the husband for 38.4.2.6, which would have originally required a sealing ordinance for the child to parents. But this also renders the sealed wife the surrogate mother (!  -- by carrying the fertilized egg of another egg donor!). The OFP can sort out the permutations of egg donation and the donor and parents' sealing and make a determination for the child's need to have a sealing ordinance after birth.

I am just touching on a couple of complications that a simplified handbook policy would not get into. Bottom line, it really doesn't matter who the sperm donor is and whether or not he is sealed to another woman, but couples and donors can complicate things on legalistic, emotional and sophistic bases.

Also, this is "just" policy, and the First Presidency has the keys of revelation for each individual matter that rises to this level. I'd say <10% of the cases even seek priesthood leadership input.

 

Edited June 1, 2024 by CV75

[Calm]

8 hours ago, Stargazer said:

A summary of these changes are generally available on the church website, and links are sent to church leaders. In my position I get an email containing a link to them when they are released.

E.g. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/summary-of-recent-updates?lang=eng

You might also find the Official Communications Library of interest. Link here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/letters?lang=eng

 

Cool, thanks for posting this

[webbles]

45 minutes ago, CV75 said:

I was part of the original policy's development back in 1981, helping prepare a position for approval; 38.4.2.7 and 38.6.22 also. Originally, the proposal, which I think was reflected in the earlier handbooks (hopefully someone has a copy to share!), was that the AI, IVF or surrogate-born child is sealed to the mother (meaning the egg donor) and to whomever she is sealed.

They seem to have left the egg donor part out, and instead refer surrogacy to the stake president / OFP to avoid getting into the weeds on who is donating what and how, including the  morality of how the surrogate mother became pregnant and whether or not she was the egg donor.

They also seem to have left out the scenario where the egg is donated by a woman not sealed to the husband for 38.4.2.6, which would have originally required a sealing ordinance for the child to parents. But this also renders the sealed wife the surrogate mother (!  -- by carrying the fertilized egg of another egg donor!). The OFP can sort out the permutations of egg donation and the donor and parents' sealing and make a determination for the child's need to have a sealing ordinance after birth.

I am just touching on a couple of complications that a simplified handbook policy would not get into. Bottom line, it really doesn't matter who the sperm donor is and whether or not he is sealed to another woman, but couples and donors can complicate things on legalistic, emotional and sophistic bases.

Also, this is "just" policy, and the First Presidency has the keys of revelation for each individual matter that rises to this level. I'd say <10% of the cases even seek priesthood leadership input.

 

In the 1983 handbook, under the "Artificial Insemination" heading:

Quote

A child conceived by artificial insemination and born after the parents are sealed in the temple is born in the covenant.

There isn't a section for IVF or surrogacy, but there is a section on "Sealing Children to Parents" that says:

Quote

When a wife is sealed to a husband, all children born to her while that sealing is in effect are born in the covenant.  Even if the woman remarries later and bears children whose father is not the husband to whom she is sealed, the children are born in the covenant.

 

In the 1967 handbook, it has also has a section on "Sealing Children to Parents" that says:

Quote

A child born to a woman who is already sealed to a husband is born in the covenant of the mother's sealing, whether or not the father of the child is the man to whom she is sealed, and provided neither the mother nor her legal husband are excommunicated at the time of the birth of the child.

 

[Calm]

8 hours ago, Stargazer said:

That's odd. The actual 38.5.4 says "Members should not make ceremonial temple clothing or temple garments." I wonder if the previous policy was that members could make their own aprons, but nothing else, and now this has changed.

Also, the language in the summary suggests it's not permitted, but the policy itself is not so firm. It says "should not," not "may not."

We could make them when I got my endowment.  Iirc, there were even kits.  But I thought that was changed awhile back.

[Calm]

1 hour ago, CV75 said:

I was part of the original policy's development back in 1981, helping prepare a position for approval;

Would you please share how you came to be a part of such?  I like to know how things work as much as possible and who is involved in the process is part of that.   

[Duncan]

Who would even check from the handbook about temple clothing? Someone years ago said the handbook is answers to questions that nobody asks, nobody checks to see if you made your own apron anyways, who cares?

[ZealouslyStriving]

The EQ Pres. In the Ward I visited last week emphasized several times during the lesson he taught that we need to regularly consult the CHI especially when we have questions. We can't just assume we know how to do things, we may have developed cultural/personal trads/ideas that may not be entirely correct.

[webbles]

13 minutes ago, Duncan said:

Who would even check from the handbook about temple clothing? Someone years ago said the handbook is answers to questions that nobody asks, nobody checks to see if you made your own apron anyways, who cares?

My wife was planning on making temple aprons for our kids so, at some point, she would have looked for the kit and wouldn't have found it (I just looked and it is no longer listed on the church's store).  I would have gone to the handbook to see if there was something new or changed about the kit.  Now, I'm wondering if I can find a kit for resell somewhere or maybe as a family heirloom.

[CV75]

2 hours ago, webbles said:

In the 1983 handbook, under the "Artificial Insemination" heading:

There isn't a section for IVF or surrogacy, but there is a section on "Sealing Children to Parents" that says:

 

In the 1967 handbook, it has also has a section on "Sealing Children to Parents" that says:

 

This is the essence of what  recalled: "When a wife is sealed to a husband, all children born to her while that sealing is in effect are born in the covenant." In the background discussions I was involved in, it didn't matter who the father or sperm donor was, only the that the mother or oocyte donor was sealed.

[CV75]

2 hours ago, Calm said:

Would you please share how you came to be a part of such?  I like to know how things work as much as possible and who is involved in the process is part of that.   

In this instance, I was a graduate student at BYU and the Church Health Office was interviewing our class members for summer internships (which for me turned into an additional few months). I was interviewed by a Church employee who was to be my supervisor. I was selected because I had a biology undergraduate degree involving genetic studies and I spoke Spanish from my mission (this office reviewed applications for medical assistance from all over, and there were a couple of perplexing transplant cases involving members from Latin America). This office was under Welfare Services (managed by Glenn L. Pace before he became a GA) and its staff was an advisory resource, or found resources, for developing health/medical-related Church policy*. Always reporting to the Brethren. We also worked closely with the Thrasher Foundation which funded a lot of the overseas humanitarian medical welfare assistance.

* I also worked on issues involving child abuse, folk medicine in the third world, genetic experimentation outside the USA. Very interesting work if you can get it!  

As a result of this internship and the BYU professors connected with it, I was introduced socially to other "consulting" individuals, notably in law enforcement. So, I believe the Church develops these kinds of networks through personal acquaintances and academia. James O. Mason was such a consultant (he also commented on this policy) before he became the head of the CDC and then a General Authority. Me? I'm a nobody having "brushes with fame."  

[LoudmouthMormon]

That's some real "study it out in your mind" stuff right there. 

I have no reason to doubt after all the info gathering and presenting and learning happens, the brethren then go and ask if it be right, and if it is right their bosom burns within them, and they feel that it is right.

When you lead a global church (or any very large organization or business or government entity), you have folks doing research and presenting ideas and conclusions and suggestions.  You grill those folks, and also do research and study on your own.  Your experience makes sense to me, @CV75

[CV75]

1 hour ago, LoudmouthMormon said:

That's some real "study it out in your mind" stuff right there. 

I have no reason to doubt after all the info gathering and presenting and learning happens, the brethren then go and ask if it be right, and if it is right their bosom burns within them, and they feel that it is right.

When you lead a global church (or any very large organization or business or government entity), you have folks doing research and presenting ideas and conclusions and suggestions.  You grill those folks, and also do research and study on your own.  Your experience makes sense to me, @CV75

I was impressed with how curious and open-minded these leaders were in their travels around the world and what they brought home: the events they witnessed, photos and other documentation they collected along the way, etc. They were not afraid to explore some very strange and unpleasant matters that were brought to their attention.

I do believe that even though the handbook is "just policy" it is as inspired as anyone can expect. There is room for mistakes but the Brethren are quick to improve them as greater inspiration attends the latest wrinkles as the world enters new phases of discovery, knowledge and their consequences. I think simplifying it helps us more nimble and reliant upon the Lord as the pace quickens.

[sunstoned]

5 hours ago, Duncan said:

Who would even check from the handbook about temple clothing? Someone years ago said the handbook is answers to questions that nobody asks, nobody checks to see if you made your own apron anyways, who cares?

I have always been of the opinion that it is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

[telnetd]

20 hours ago, Stargazer said:

So... you've mistaken church policies for commandments?

I was just asking a question based on what you said earlier:

Quote

Also, the language
in the summary suggests it's not permitted, but the policy itself is not so firm. 
It says "should not," not "may not

Does being less firm (may not steal) mean anything different than something more 
firm (shall not steal)?

 

It looks like a policy has become a commandment.

 

From the 2022 General Handbook:

38.5.4

Making Temple Aprons

Members may make their own temple aprons if they
use one of the approved apron kits. These kits are
available from a Church Distribution store or from
store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Members should not make other ceremonial temple
clothing or temple garments.

It is changed in May 2024 to

Making Temple Clothing

Members should not make ceremonial temple clothing or temple garments.

[Stargazer]

42 minutes ago, telnetd said:

I was just asking a question based on what you said earlier:

As was I when you wrote: "Is there a difference between "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou may not steal"?"

"Thou shalt not" and "Thou may not" both connotate a commandment or an absolute prohibition, which is what I was wondering if you were taking it that way.  "Should not," on the other hand, connotes (strong) preference, or advice, not an absolute prohibition. 

42 minutes ago, telnetd said:

Does being less firm (may not steal) mean anything different than something more 
firm (shall not steal)?

When I was in 6th grade, I went to my teacher and asked for permission to do something. I asked "Can I...?" She responded with a smile "Yes, you can, but you may not." This confused me. I tried again with the same question. She responded the same way. Suddenly enlightened, I asked "May I...?" and she said "Yes, you may!"  <-- Just a illustrative funny story, something that has stuck with me all these years.

"May not" seems to be slightly less firm than "Shall not," but still constitutes prohibition. But to me, at least, "Should not" constitutes disapproval, but not prohibition. 

In connection with ceremonial clothing, if you do make your own, are you subject to church discipline? It seems not. But if you do it well, how is anyone going to know?

42 minutes ago, telnetd said:

It looks like a policy has become a commandment.

I disagree. It's still just a policy. And kind of unenforceable.

Not that I'm going to start making my own.