“It felt like a gut punch”, says Kendall Wilcox, a faithful member of the church, who says these policy updates go against everything he’s been working for. Most had stopped attending church years ago, but they wanted to finally cut ties with the religion.
Advertisement
An event Saturday in Salt Lake City could result in a thousand or more people leaving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after a change discovered earlier this month ignited tensions among members. It’s a response to a new church policy which will prevent going forward children of same-sex couples from being baptized.
The new rules, issued just last week, require that children living with gay parents can not be baptised until they are 18 years old.
The policy that was approved last week by Mormon church leaders who added same-sex marriage to the Church’s list of acts that are considered as a renunciation of the faith and thereby make the affected church members subject to being disciplined by theChurch or even excommunicated. “I mean, you’re not supposed to judge anybody, but I feel like now they’re judging the kids and that’s what hurts”.
At least 750 demonstrators will gather on Saturday afternoon at a Salt Lake City park across the street from the headquarters of the church, organizer Lauren Elise McNamara said on Friday. “We are here for you and your families”. Her father is Gary Leavitt, a devoted member of the LDS Church. They held signs such as, “Standing on the side of love”, and “These policies harm all of us”.
“I resigned today”, said Paul Pratt, one of the protesters.
Coco Barth and Nichole Jensen, a lesbian couple who were both raised in the faith, said they have been thinking about formally renouncing their membership and were compelled by the policy changes to finally do it.
Her father, however, has to figure out how to explain that things have changed. Needless to say, such orders had devastating effects not only on the LGBTQ Mormons but also on their families.
The event, which is expected to draw close to 1,000 people, seems unprecedented in the church’s 185-year history, according to several experts.
Her children are not shunned for being outside the church in a largely LDS community, but she feared the new policies will lead to shunning and suicides.
All children are to be treated with utmost respect and love.
Local leaders are encouraged to ask for guidance from senior leaders when situations fall outside the new guidelines, the church said.
Following fury from members, with thousands of Mormons planning a mass resignation from the Church, the leadership has made a minor “tweak”… but it’s not likely to make anyone happier.
The vibrant world of Mormon websites and social media sites have been buzzing as Latter-day Saints digested and dissected the new rules.
Advertisement
While hundreds came to resign, others came to show support. Like many attendees, they come from families where almost everyone is still devout Mormons.
