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 The new policy was approved by Mormon leaders - the Council of the
First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - to instruct
local clergy how to proceed in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's
landmark ruling in June legalizing same-sex marriage and similar
moves in other countries.
The Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, as the Mormon faith is formally known, claims more than 15
million members and 85,000 missionaries worldwide.
Mormon officials said church doctrine has long regarded marriage as
a union solely reserved for a man and a woman. And while the church
has staunchly opposed extending marriage rights to same-sex couples,
it has welcomed celibate, single gay men and lesbians to the
religion.
 Under the policy approved on Thursday, same-sex marriage was added
to the list of acts considered to be a renunciation of the Mormon
faith and thus subject to church discipline, including
excommunication.
The new policy also prohibits natural or adopted children of
same-sex married couples from receiving a naming blessing or from
being baptized or confirmed in the faith until they turn 18, leave
their parents' home and personally disavow same-sex marriage or
cohabitation.
The same conditions would apply to children of same-sex couples
recommended for missionary service.
The move seemed at odds with the church earlier this year giving its
support to legislation signed into law by Utah Governor Gary Herbert
in March barring discrimination in the workplace or housing on the
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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“This is a difficult event to witness," the group Affirmation, an
organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Mormons, said
in a statement. It said its leaders had "received a flood or
reactions from LGBT Mormons, and family members and friends
including grief, shock, disbelief and spiritual confusion."
Troy Williams, executive director of the gay rights group Equality
Utah and a former member of the faith, said all churches have the
right to welcome or exclude whomever they choose.
Still, he added, “We know that children of same-sex parents are
treasures of infinite worth. In our universe, all God's children
have a place in the choir.”
(Editing by Steve Gorman and Bill Trott)
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