Church Policy
Previously, these individuals would need to be interviewed by a mission president before being cleared for baptism. With the new handbook, missionaries can conduct the baptismal interview as they would for any other person seeking baptism into the Church, removing a hurdle for those with past same-sex sexual relationships.
We’ve seen it before. Events occur, but the arc of the history of this painful intersection between the LDS church and their LGBTQ members is bending towards eventual fellowship and perhaps even equity.
I discovered that being trans isn’t a social choice, but the cure for a disease of the mind and body called gender dysphoria. It wasn’t until I acted in faith by trying a new name and pronouns in a limited setting that I started to taste the relief that was in store for me. It was a small and simple act of faith, akin to reading the Book of Mormon.