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Church Adjusts Policy for Witnessing Ordinances
November 2019

Church Adjusts Policy for Witnessing Ordinances

At a general conference leadership meeting where General Authorities and General Officers of the Church receive instruction from the First Presidency, President Russell M. Nelson announced procedural adjustments in Church policy regarding who may serve as witnesses at baptisms and sealings.

A First Presidency letter dated October 2, 2019, details the adjustments:

“As invited by presiding authorities:

  1. “Any member holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use recommend, may serve as a witness to a proxy baptism.

  2. “Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may serve as a witness to a living or proxy sealing.

  3. “Any baptized member of the Church, including children and youth, may serve as a witness to the baptism of a living person.”