Publicly reviewing the changes to witnessing ordinances that were announced earlier this week.
Changes to young men and young women programs.
- A proxy baptism for a deceased person may be witnessed by anyone holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use recommend.
- Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may serve as a witness to sealing ordinances, living and proxy.
- Any baptized member of the Church may serve as a witness of the baptism of a living person. This change pertains to all baptisms outside the temple.
These policy adjustments are procedural. The underlying doctrine and covenants are unchanged. They are equally efficacious in all ordinances. These changes should greatly enhance family participation in these ordinances.
We should pay attention to the fact that this is designed to enhance family participation in the ordinances.
In each ward, the Lord’s youth battalion is led by a bishop, a dedicated servant of God. His first and foremost responsibility is to care for the young men and young women of his ward. The bishop and his counselors direct the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums and the Young Women classes in the ward.
The adjustments we will now announce are intended to help young men and young women develop their sacred personal potential. We also want to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes and provide support to bishops and other adult leaders as they serve this rising generation.
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