general-handbook-updates

The biannual updates to the Church’s General Handbook have been published online. The August 2024 updates are summarized below.

Counseling Together in Elders Quorum and Relief Society Meetings. Added instruction that elders quorum and Relief Society members counsel together at the start of their respective meetings. They may occasionally combine their meetings. See sections 8.2.1.2 and 9.2.1.2.

Young Women Organize Youth to Welcome People to Sacrament Meetings. Added direction that Young Women class presidents now organize the youth to welcome visitors and members to sacrament meeting. See 11.3.4.2 and 29.2.1.3.

Age Ranges for Single Adults and Young Single Adults. The handbook has been updated with the recently announced adjustments in the age ranges for single adults and young single adults. See chapters 14 and 37.

Temple and Family History Work. Updates throughout chapter 25, “Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake”.

Temple Recommends. Updated instructions regarding lost or stolen temple recommends and virtual interviews for recommends. See 26.2.2 and 26.3.2.

Worship Services on Easter Sunday and on Christmas. As announced in a First Presidency letter last January, wards and branches should hold only sacrament meeting on Easter and on the week of Christmas. See 29.2.9.

Streaming and Holding Virtual Church Meetings. Simplified instructions encourage leaders to take appropriate advantage of technology to allow more members to benefit from Church meetings. See 29.7.

Basic Unit Program. Updated instructions about the Basic Unit Program. See 36.6.

Sealing Policies. Updates to temple sealing policies in chapter 38 emphasize God’s promise of blessings to His faithful children and provide clarification on several important matters.

  • 38.4.2.2: Policies have been clarified regarding the sealing of living children to parents who are deceased.
  • 38.4.1.4: A new section has been added addressing the sealing of a living member to a deceased individual with whom he or she cohabited.
  • 27.4.4: A new section outlines who is authorized to perform the sealing of living children to their parents.
  • Assurances of God’s Blessings. Language has been updated throughout the sealing policies to reaffirm that a member who remains faithful to temple covenants will receive the personal blessings promised in the temple, even if the person’s spouse has broken the covenants or withdrawn from the marriage. God will not require anyone to remain in a sealed relationship throughout eternity against his or her will. Heavenly Father will ensure that each person receives every blessing that his or her desires and choices allow. See, for example, 38.4.1.10 and 38.4.2.

Guidelines for Wearing and Caring for the Garment. A new section emphasizes the importance of properly caring for the garment. (See 38.5.6 and 38.5.9.) A variety of garment fabrics and styles are available to accommodate individual preferences and needs. Special-order options are also provided to meet members’ specific requirements. (See 38.5.2.) A new section addresses medical conditions that may prevent some members from wearing the garment. This section offers compassionate understanding and practical considerations. (See 38.5.8.)

Transgender. Additional instructions to ensure consistency in policies while allowing leaders flexibility to more effectively minister based on individual needs. The updates include the following:

  • Refined policies regarding baptism and confirmation, priesthood ordinances, and temple ordinances.
  • Counsel against pursuing surgical, medical, or social transition away from one’s biological sex at birth. Taking these actions will result in some Church membership restrictions, such as receiving or exercising the priesthood, receiving or using a temple recommend, and serving in some Church callings.

The chapter includes a link to the document “Church Participation of Individuals Who Identify as Transgender: Guiding Principles for Local Leaders” that provides additional guidelines about preferred names and pronouns, gender-specific meetings and activities, overnight activities, callings and assignments, and restrooms in Church facilities.

See 38.6.23 and corresponding changes to sections 26.5.7, 32.14.5, 32.16.1, 38.2.8.6, 38.2.8.9, and 38.2.9.9. Also see “Transgender” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Learn more in the following articles:

 

 

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