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GENERAL HANDBOOK OF INSTRUCTION, 1983 (#22).
1983: Patriarchs now recommended and ordained by Stk Pres
“The following duties are the personal responsibility of the [stake] president:
. . . .
4. Recommend patriarchs and ordain them as authorized by the Quorum of the Twelve.”
(General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 1)
Offices deleted in GHI-1983.
The offices of Patriarch to the Church and Assistant to the Twelve are no longer mentioned in GHI-1983.
PPI with stake presidency and quorum presidents quarterly.
“The duties of the stake president and his counselors, as assigned, include–
. . . .
7. Holding a personal priesthood interview with each bishop and Melchizedek Priesthood quorum president and group leader at least quarterly.”
(General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 2)
Justification for Alternate High Councilors.
“Stake presidents may call alternate high councilors when there are more than twelve units in the stake and it is necessary to assign one high councilor to each ward and branch.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 2)
High Council to meet twice a month.
“The stake presidency and high council meet regularly (twice monthly, where feasible), with the stake president presiding and conducting, to consider stake priesthood and auxiliary matters.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 7)
High Priest quorum to meet annually.
“Under the direction of the quorum president (who is the stake president), all high priests in the quorum meet annually to transact quorum business and receive instruction in priesthood duties.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 8)
Ward PEC now to meet twice a month.
“The ward priesthood executive committee meets at least twice each month; the bishop presides and conducts.” [Earlier GHI said weekly.] (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 9)
Stake Pres. nominated by any assigned GA.
The Stake President may now be nominated by any designated General Authority; previous GHI said First Presidency and Quorum of 12. (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 20)
No specific time requirement for ordination to MP.
“Recently baptized adult male members may be ordained to the office of elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood after they have served as priests and have demonstrated their worthiness. No specific time as a member is required.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 28)
If a non-member father INSISTS on holding his child.
“Usually, only those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should participate in the blessing of children. However, if a father, whether he is a member or not, insists on holding his child while the child receives the blessing, he may do so.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 30)
Format for blessing a child.
“To name and bless a child–
1. Take the child in your arms or, if the child is older, place your hands on his head.
2. Address our Heavenly Father as in prayer.
3. State that the ordinance is being performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. Give the child a name.
5. Add such words of blessing as the Spirit dictates.
6. Close in the name of Jesus Christ.”
(General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 31)
Format for performing a baptism.
“To perform a baptism–
1. Stand in the water with the person to be baptized.
2. Hold the person’s right wrist in your left hand; have him hold your left wrist with his left hand and hold his nose with his right hand.
3. Raise your right arm to the square.
4. Call the person by his full name and say the baptismal prayer (D&C 20:73).
5. Place your right hand high on the person’s back and immerse him completely.
6. Help the person come up out of the water.”
(General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 31)
Baptism of those involved in abortions.
“A woman who has submitted to an abortion or a man who has encouraged, consented to, or arranged for an abortion may be baptized only if the stake or full-time mission president approves. When considering requests for baptism from such persons, the president should be guided by Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68, and 69.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 31)
Baptism of convicted felons.
“Convicted felons who seek baptism, except those guilty of murder, should not be baptized until they complete their prison term and any parole or probation. They should be encouraged to work closely with local priesthood leaders, and should do everything they can to become worthy of baptism. Those who have been convicted of himicide cannot be baptized without permission from the First Presidency. The application or request for permission must include all pertinent details.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 31)
Format for confirmation.
“To confirm a person as a member of the Church and bestow the Holy Ghost–
1. Place your hands on the person’s head.
2. Call him by his full name.
3. State that the ordinance is being performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. Confirm the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
5. Bestow the Holy Ghost, using such words as ‘Receive the Holy Ghost.’ Do not say ‘Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’
6. Add such words of blessing as the Spirit dictates.
7. Close in the name of Jesus Christ.”
(General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 32)
Format for consecrating oil.
“Melchizedek Priesthood holders are to consecrate pure olive oil and set it apart for its holy purpose of anointing the sick. No other oil is to be used. To consecrate oil–
1. Hold the open container of olive oil.
2. Address our Heavenly Father as in prayer.
3. State that the ordinance is being performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. Consecrate the oil (not the container), and set it apart for the blessing and anointing of the sick and afflicted.
5. Close in the name of Jesus Christ.”
(General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 33)
Oil not to be used internally or topically.
“Local leaders should advise members not to take consecrated oil internally and not to apply it on afflicted parts of the body.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 33)
Patriarchs may give blessings in missions.
“With the approval of the Quorum of the Twelve, patriarchs may give blessings to members in missions.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 34)
Endowments for young, single adults.
“Young, single adults normally receive their temple endowments when they are called to serve full-time missions or when they are to be married in the temple. The temple endowment includes sacred covenants that the member is obligated to observe throughout life. Those who go to the temple should be both worthy and mature enough to keep these covenants by righteous living, though unmarried. Single members who are qualified by worthiness and maturity may receive a temple recommend for their own endowments. Generally, such unmarried members could be recommended when they become established in their vocations and professions, and want to be strengthened further in righteous living.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 36)
Dress standards for temple attendance.
“Brethren should wear clothing that is appropriate for sacrament meeting when they go to the temple.
While performing temple ordinances, brethren wear approved garments and either the approved one-piece white suite (white tie is optional) or white trousers with a long-sleeved white shirt and white tie. They also wear white stockings and white shoes or slippers with white, light tan, or gray soles.
Sisters should not wear slacks when they go to the temple. They should dress modestly. If they wear hats or head scarves, they should remove them at the temple entrance.
Sisters may wear plain combs,k small barrettes, and white ribbons in the temple to keep their hair in place. Hairstyles, makeup, and nail polish should be conservative. Heavy makeup, loud colors, and large and ornate jewelry are out of place.
While performing temple ordinances, sisters wear approved garments and a white dress with long sleeves and a modestly high neckline. They should also wear white hose and white shoes or slippers with low or medium heels and white, light tan, or gray soles.
Brides may wear their wedding dresses in the temple. They should be white, have long sleeves and modestly high necklines, and have all sheer materials lined. Brides may wear their wedding dresses during the endowment session but must remove the trains for the session. They may not wear gowns with long dress pants in the temple.
Children must wear white clothing in the temple.
The temple furnishes temple clothing without charge to missionaries who receive their own endowments and while they are in a Missionary Training Center.
Members may rent temple clothing, including shoes, brides’ dresses, and clothing for children at the temple for a small fee. Members may bring their own temple clothing if it meets temple requirements.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 38)
Civil marriages in chapels discouraged.
“Bishops should encourage couples who marry out of the temple to be married in a home or meetinghouse and should discourage them from being married in commercial wedding chapels. The Church generally discourages marriage ceremonies in the meetinghouse chapel unless the chapel is a multi-use area.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 39)
Sealing children to parents.
“If a child is born in the covenant and remains worthy, his birthright guarantees that he will have parents eternally no matter what happens to the covenant parent. Such a child is never to be sealed to parents.
Sealing Living Children to Parents and Deceased Children to Living Parents
A living child who is sealed to parents receives the right to the same blessings as if he were born in the covenant and he cannot be sealed later to any other parents, even if (1) the sealing of his parents is canceled after his birth, (2) he is adopted later, (3) his natural parents give their consent, (4) he gives his consent, or (5) his natural parents die.
These instructions apply also to a deceased child who was sealed by proxy to parents when one or both of the parents were living. The only exception would be if the sealing of a child to parents were canceled by the President of the Church.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 41)
Child cannot be sealed to single parent.
“A child may not be sealed to only one parent.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 43)
Restoration of blessings for the dead.
“If an endowed, deceased person was excommunicated, a proxy baptism and a proxy restoration of the priesthood and the temple blessings must be performed. If the deceased person was excommunicated for teaching or practicing polygamy, the First Presidency must give permission for his temple ordinances to be performed.
The Temple Department, under the direction of the First Presidency, oversees all restorations of blessings for the dead. This department considers only the requests of family members and priesthood leaders.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 44)
Age and term of service for full-time missionaries.
“Unmarried men, usually between nineteen and twenty-six, normally serve full-time missions for eighteen months.
Unmarried women between twenty-one and forty may serve full-time missions for eighteen months. Such sisters should not feel obligated to do so, nor should they be urged unduly into such service. Bishops should not recommend them if a mission will interfere with a proper marriage.
Unmarried women between forty and seventy may serve full-time missions for one year. The Missionary Department should receive their recommendation before their seventieth birthday.
Couples who do not have dependent children at home and who are in good health may serve full-time missions for six, twelve, or eighteen months. Bishops should note the missionaries’ preference for length of service on the recommendation form, and should ensure that they have made provision for adequate financial support. Generally, couples should not be recommended to serve full-time missions if either the husband or wife is seventy or older. However, in exceptional circumstances, couples older than seventy may be considered if their health is good and if their stake president can certify that they have the physical and emotional ability to withstand the rigors of full-time missionary service.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 46)
Special clearance required for heavy petting.
“Any prospective missionary who has been guilty of . . . heavy petting . . . must be considred and endorsed by the Executive Administrator or a visiting General Authority before the recommendation forms are submitted.” [Heavy petting was not in earlier GHI; all other offenses listed in GHI-1983 were in earlier editions.] (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 47)
Fraud added to judicial offenses.
“Church courts may be convened to consider–
. . . fraud . . .”
[All other listed offenses in GHI-1983 were in earlier editions.] (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p.51)
Deletion of circumstance for mandatory court action.
The category “The Spirit so directs,” was deleted from GHI-1983. (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 51)
Modification of statement on incest.
“Incest is an extremely serious transgression. The term incest refers to sexual intercourse between a parent and a natural, adopted, or foster child or stepchild. A grandparent is considered the same as a parent.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 52)
Modification of statement on abortion.
“Abortion is a most serious transgression. Priesthood leaders should carefully review the circumstances of members involved in abortions to determine whether or not to bring them before a Church court. Except in those cases where the life or health of the mother is at stake, or where the pregnancy resulted from forcible rape or incest, those who engage in abortions, or Church members who are doctors who perform abortions, may be brought before a Church court where the facts can be weighed. Questions on difficult cases can be forwarded by local priesthood leaders to the Office of the First Presidency, setting forth the facts in detail.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 52)
Modification of statement on transsexual surgery.
“. . . A change in a member’s sex ordinarily justifies excommunication.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 53)
Voluntary withdrawal not to be labeled “excommunication.”
“If the member requested that his name be removed from the records of the Church and the court has granted his request, the written notice advising him of the Church court action should not use the word excommunication. The notice should state that his request to have his name removed from the records of the Church has been granted.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 57)
“Exoneration” changed to “Take No Action.”
“When a Church court has been convened, the following decisions are possible: take no action [was ‘exoneration’] . . .” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 58)
When to announce Church court action.
“The action of a Church court to disfellowship or excommunicate a member is announced only to those who need to know. The following principles and procedures govern:
1. No announcement is made to anyone if an appeal is pending.
2. The bishop announces the action in the ward priesthood executive committee meeting in confidence to guide ward officers who might use the person in Church service.
3. The bishop advises the ward Relief Society president in confidence when a woman of Relief Society age is involved.
4. If a case infolves the preaching of false doctrine or other flagrant transgressions, such as plural marriage or cultist teachings to attract a following, then, with the approval of the stake president, the bishop announces the court action in the Melchizedek Priesthood quorum or group meetings. In such cases the stake president also may need to make a groader announcement in a stake priesthood meeting or in a priesthood meeting of each ward in the stake, after the young men of Aaronic Priesthood age have been excused.
5. An announcement of a disfellowshipment or excommunication never requires a sustaining vote.
6. Decisions for probation are not announced.
7. An announcement shouild consist only of a general statement that the person named has been disfellowshipped or excommunicated for conduct contrary to the laws and order of the Church, unless some special statement is considered advisable.
8. If a person’s name has been removed from the records of the Church in response to his request, any announcement should not include the word excommunication. It merely should state that his name has been removed from the records of the Church at his request.
9. In unusual cases, ann announcement that a Church court was held but no action taken may be necessary to dispel rumors.
All proceedings of a Church court, except the official public announcement, are strictly confidential. Presiding officers of courts must make certain that this principle is stressed to court members and is strictly obeyed.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 59)
Fellowshipping following Church court action.
“The time just after a person has been disfellowshipped or excommunicated by a Church court is difficult and critical for the person and for his family members. During this time, priesthood leaders and other Church members should be patient and sensitive to the needs of those involved. Stake presidents, bishops, quorum and Relief Society leaders, home teachers, visiting teachers, and other Church members should give special encouragement and assistance to all members of the family involved.
In addition, stake presidents and bishops should take the following steps to help rehabilitate the person involved and his family:
1. Assign mature, specially-called home teachers and visiting teachers (and in some cases couples) to the person who has been excommunicated or disfellowshipped. These home and visiting teachers should contact the person and his family regularly and see that they receive the attention, counsel, and fellowship needed during this critical period of repentance and healing. The spouse needs special attention and concern because he or she suffers great anguish and emotional trauma.
2. After action by a bishop’s court, the bishop should interview the person and, if necessary, the spouse periodically. If the person moves, the bishop is to inform the new bishop so he can continue working with the person and his family.
3. After action by a high council court, the stake president should ask the person’s bishop to see that Melchizedek Priesthood holders fellowship the disciplined person. They should inform the bishop of their progress. The bishop will notify the stake president. The stake president should interview the person and, if necessary, the spouse periodically. If the person moves, the stake president is to inform the new stake president.
These steps will lend a strong supporting hand to individuals and families who need love and concern during a difficult time and will help them return to the fold.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; pp. 59-60)
Abortion probably a forgivable sin.
“As far as has been revealed, a person may repend and be forgiven for the sin of abortion.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983; p. 78)
1985: Church Judicial System Supplement.
31 Jan.: Softening of policy on transsexual surgery.
“After excommunication, such a person is not eligible again for baptism unless approved by the First Presidency.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983, “The Church Judicial System” Supplement, 31 Jan., 1985; p. 52)
Priest-Penitent Privilege.
“Church officers who receive confidential disclosure of information from members have a duty to keep it strictly confidential, even if they receive inquiries or demands from civil authorities. The provision of law known as Priest-Penitent Privilege applies in such circumstances. Under the Priest-Penitent Privilege, a Church officer cannot be compelled to disclose confidential information receive by him from a member without specific authorization from the member. If confidential information indicates that a member has violated a civil or criminal law, the Church officer should urge the member to clear the matter with appropriate civil authorities. The Church officers to whom the Priest-Penitent Privilege applies are bishops, branch presidents, stake presidencies, district presidents, mission presidents, and General Authorities.
If a member discloses confidential information to a Church court, the Priest-Penitent Privilege applies to all who take part in the court, such as bishoprics, branch presidencies, stake presidencies, high council members, district presidencies, and mission presidencies.
Church officers should direct any questions about the Priest-Penitent Privilege through the stake or mission president to the Office of the First Presidency.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983, “The Church Judicial System” Supplement, 31 Jan., 1985; p. 53)
Disqualifying oneself from Church court duty.
“The officer presiding over a court should generally excuse from service as a member of the court one who would have a legal duty to report to civil authorities facts likely to be disclosed in the court proceedings, such as law enforcement officers. A stake president or bishop may be excused from service only with permission of the First Presidency. Vacancies due to conflict of legal duty should be filled by the presiding officer in accordance with guidelines set forth in this section.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983, “The Church Judicial System” Supplement, 31 Jan., 1985; pp. 54-55)
Additional information on disfellowshipment.
“Disfellowshipment is a less severe form of discipline than excommunication. However, it is a severe penalty that may be adequate for all but the most serious transgressions. Nevertheless, in cases of serious transgressions, including serious spouse or child abuse, and in cases of defiance or denial of sins without confession and without expression of sincere sorrow and repentance, excommunication may be necessary.” (General Handbook of Instructions, #22, 1983, “The Church Judicial System” Supplement, 31 Jan., 1985; p. 58)