=NukeBlaze=
09-20-2008, 12:53 PM
http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormon_Church_Handbook_of_Instructions_(1999)
Its available in PDF as released as a confidential document by wikileaks.
Some of the material is interesting on the guild lines for church leaders.
Nothing interesting on Catholicism yet, except some catholic hospital abortion reports.
Here is an excerpt from the PDF, its interesting to see various views on certain subjects.
Adoption and Foster Care
See pages 147 and 160.
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination with semen from anyone but the husband is strongly discouraged.
However, this is a personal matter that ultimately must be left to the judgment of the husband
and wife. Responsibility for the decision rests solely upon them.
Artificial insemination of single sisters is not approved. Single sisters who deliberately refuse to
follow the counsel of their Church leaders in this matter are subject to Church discipline.
For information about the sealing of children who were conceived by artificial insemination, see
page 75.
Birth Control
It is the privilege of married couples who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for
the spirit children of God, whom they are then responsible to nurture and rear. The decision as
to how many children to have and when to have them is extremely intimate and private and
should be left between the couple and the Lord. Church members should not judge one another
in this matter.
Married couples also should understand that sexual relations within marriage are divinely
approved not only for the purpose of procreation, but also as a means of expressing love and
strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife.
Chastity and Fidelity
The Lord's law of moral conduct is abstinence from sexual relations outside of lawful marriage
and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between husband and wife,
expressed within the bonds of marriage. Adultery, fornication, homosexual or lesbian relations,
and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful. Members who violate the
Lord's law of moral conduct or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline
(see First Presidency letter, 14 Nov. 1991).
Euthanasia
See page 156.
Page 158
Homosexual Behavior
Homosexual behavior violates the commandments of God, is contrary to the purposes of human
sexuality, distorts loving relationships, and deprives people of the blessings that can be found in
family life and in the saving ordinances of the gospel. Those who persist in such behavior or
who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline. Homosexual behavior can be
forgiven through sincere repentance.
If members have homosexual thoughts or feelings or engage in homosexual behavior, Church
leaders should help them have a clear understanding of faith in Jesus Christ, the process of
repentance, and the purpose of life on earth. Leaders also should help them accept responsibility
for their thoughts and actions and apply gospel principles in their lives.
In addition to the inspired assistance of Church leaders, members may need professional
counseling. When appropriate, bishops should contact LDS Social Services to identify resources
to provide such counseling in harmony with gospel principles.
For additional suggestions, stake presidents and bishops may refer to the booklet
Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems: Suggestions for
Ecclesiastical Leaders. See also "Same-Gender Marriages" on this page.
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization using semen from anyone but the husband or an egg from anyone but the
wife is strongly discouraged. However, this is a personal matter that ultimately must be left to
the judgment of the husband and wife, with responsibility for the decision resting solely upon
them.
For information about the sealing of children who were conceived by in vitro fertilization, see
page 75.
Occult Affiliation
Members should not engage in forms of so-called Satan worship or affiliate in any way with the
occult. "Such activities are among the works of darkness spoken of in the scriptures. They are
designed to destroy one's faith in Christ, and will jeopardize the salvation of those who
knowingly promote this wickedness. These things should not be pursued as games, be topics in
Church meetings, or be delved into in private, personal conversations" (First Presidency letter,
18 Sept. 1991).
Pornography
The Church opposes pornography in any form. Members should stay away from pornographic
material and oppose its production, dissemination, and use.
Prolonging Life
See page 156.
Same-Gender Marriages
The Church opposes same-gender marriages and any efforts to legalize such marriages. Church
members are encouraged "to appeal to legislators, judges, and other government officials to
preserve the purposes and sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, and to reject all
efforts to give legal authorization or other official approval or support to marriages between
persons of the same gender" (First Presidency letter, 1 Feb. 1994; see also "Homosexual
Behavior" on this page).
Sex Education
Parents have primary responsibility for the sex education of their children. Teaching this subject
honestly and plainly in the home will help young people avoid serious moral transgressions. To
help parents teach this sensitive and important information, the Church has published A
Parent's Guide.
Where schools have undertaken sex education, parents should seek to ensure that the
instructions given to their children are consistent with sound moral and ethical values.
Sperm Donation
The donation of sperm is strongly discouraged.
Suicide
It is wrong to take a life, even one's own. However, a person who commits suicide may not be
responsible for his or her acts. Only God can judge such a matter.
Leaders should counsel and compassionately console the family members of a person who has
committed suicide. The family, in consultation with the bishop, determines the place and nature
of a funeral service for a person who has died under such circumstances. Church facilities may
be used.
Page 159
A person who has seriously considered suicide or has attempted suicide should be counseled by
his or her bishop and may be encouraged to seek professional help. For more information, see
Identification and Prevention of Suicidal Behavior.
Its available in PDF as released as a confidential document by wikileaks.
Some of the material is interesting on the guild lines for church leaders.
Nothing interesting on Catholicism yet, except some catholic hospital abortion reports.
Here is an excerpt from the PDF, its interesting to see various views on certain subjects.
Adoption and Foster Care
See pages 147 and 160.
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination with semen from anyone but the husband is strongly discouraged.
However, this is a personal matter that ultimately must be left to the judgment of the husband
and wife. Responsibility for the decision rests solely upon them.
Artificial insemination of single sisters is not approved. Single sisters who deliberately refuse to
follow the counsel of their Church leaders in this matter are subject to Church discipline.
For information about the sealing of children who were conceived by artificial insemination, see
page 75.
Birth Control
It is the privilege of married couples who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for
the spirit children of God, whom they are then responsible to nurture and rear. The decision as
to how many children to have and when to have them is extremely intimate and private and
should be left between the couple and the Lord. Church members should not judge one another
in this matter.
Married couples also should understand that sexual relations within marriage are divinely
approved not only for the purpose of procreation, but also as a means of expressing love and
strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife.
Chastity and Fidelity
The Lord's law of moral conduct is abstinence from sexual relations outside of lawful marriage
and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between husband and wife,
expressed within the bonds of marriage. Adultery, fornication, homosexual or lesbian relations,
and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful. Members who violate the
Lord's law of moral conduct or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline
(see First Presidency letter, 14 Nov. 1991).
Euthanasia
See page 156.
Page 158
Homosexual Behavior
Homosexual behavior violates the commandments of God, is contrary to the purposes of human
sexuality, distorts loving relationships, and deprives people of the blessings that can be found in
family life and in the saving ordinances of the gospel. Those who persist in such behavior or
who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline. Homosexual behavior can be
forgiven through sincere repentance.
If members have homosexual thoughts or feelings or engage in homosexual behavior, Church
leaders should help them have a clear understanding of faith in Jesus Christ, the process of
repentance, and the purpose of life on earth. Leaders also should help them accept responsibility
for their thoughts and actions and apply gospel principles in their lives.
In addition to the inspired assistance of Church leaders, members may need professional
counseling. When appropriate, bishops should contact LDS Social Services to identify resources
to provide such counseling in harmony with gospel principles.
For additional suggestions, stake presidents and bishops may refer to the booklet
Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems: Suggestions for
Ecclesiastical Leaders. See also "Same-Gender Marriages" on this page.
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization using semen from anyone but the husband or an egg from anyone but the
wife is strongly discouraged. However, this is a personal matter that ultimately must be left to
the judgment of the husband and wife, with responsibility for the decision resting solely upon
them.
For information about the sealing of children who were conceived by in vitro fertilization, see
page 75.
Occult Affiliation
Members should not engage in forms of so-called Satan worship or affiliate in any way with the
occult. "Such activities are among the works of darkness spoken of in the scriptures. They are
designed to destroy one's faith in Christ, and will jeopardize the salvation of those who
knowingly promote this wickedness. These things should not be pursued as games, be topics in
Church meetings, or be delved into in private, personal conversations" (First Presidency letter,
18 Sept. 1991).
Pornography
The Church opposes pornography in any form. Members should stay away from pornographic
material and oppose its production, dissemination, and use.
Prolonging Life
See page 156.
Same-Gender Marriages
The Church opposes same-gender marriages and any efforts to legalize such marriages. Church
members are encouraged "to appeal to legislators, judges, and other government officials to
preserve the purposes and sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, and to reject all
efforts to give legal authorization or other official approval or support to marriages between
persons of the same gender" (First Presidency letter, 1 Feb. 1994; see also "Homosexual
Behavior" on this page).
Sex Education
Parents have primary responsibility for the sex education of their children. Teaching this subject
honestly and plainly in the home will help young people avoid serious moral transgressions. To
help parents teach this sensitive and important information, the Church has published A
Parent's Guide.
Where schools have undertaken sex education, parents should seek to ensure that the
instructions given to their children are consistent with sound moral and ethical values.
Sperm Donation
The donation of sperm is strongly discouraged.
Suicide
It is wrong to take a life, even one's own. However, a person who commits suicide may not be
responsible for his or her acts. Only God can judge such a matter.
Leaders should counsel and compassionately console the family members of a person who has
committed suicide. The family, in consultation with the bishop, determines the place and nature
of a funeral service for a person who has died under such circumstances. Church facilities may
be used.
Page 159
A person who has seriously considered suicide or has attempted suicide should be counseled by
his or her bishop and may be encouraged to seek professional help. For more information, see
Identification and Prevention of Suicidal Behavior.