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child of record/blessing of children

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:29 am
by kanjitakahashi
We are instructed that in order to create a membership record for an unblessed child under 8 years of age, we need the consent of both parents.

Do you also need consent of both parents before blessing a child under 8?

Do you need consent of both parents before baptizing a child under 18?

In all these cases, I also need clarification of the requirement of consent from both parents.
1. Can we take the word of one parent that the other parent consented?
2. What if one parent is out of contact with the family?
3. What if the parents are divorced/separated. Do we still need the consent of the non-custodial parent?
4. What if one divorced/separated parent refuses to be involved in the child's life and pay child support or has a history of abuse? Do we still need his permission?

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can point me to official instructions on these issues.

Thank you very much.

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:29 am
by russellhltn
I believe the Church Handbook of Instructions cover those details. Someone else might be able to refer you to specific page numbers.

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:25 am
by aebrown
Once you have sorted out exactly who needs to give permission, I would note that consent forms are in MLS that you can use to get the appropriate signatures. In MLS, in Reports/Forms under Forms/Certificates, there is an item called Ordinance Record Forms, where you will find (among others):
  • Baptism and Confirmation Record (Consent Version)
  • Child Blessing Record (Consent Version)
I would also note that the baptism of a child who is 9 or older is handled through the full-time missionaries, so they would be responsible for getting all the approvals.

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:04 pm
by lajackson
takahashi wrote:Do you also need consent of both parents before blessing a child under 8?
Yes. The bishop should obtain verbal permission from both parents, even if one is not a member.
takahashi wrote:Do you need consent of both parents before baptizing a child under 18?
For a minor child, you need the consent of the custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s), preferably in writing. If the parents are divorced, only the parent(s) with legal custody need to give permission.

See CHI page 33.

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:32 am
by greggo
Once you check the CHI (or someone who has access chimes in) you can verify this, but at least in the past only verbal consent from the parents were OK if the parents are both members. Written permission is only required from nonmember parents.
This is for creating the record. If the child is blessed, there is no need for a separate consent from the parents (I assume the same requirements apply for the initial blessing of a child).

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:32 pm
by lajackson
Greggo wrote:Once you check the CHI . . .
Book 1 page 33. What is in the CHI has changed from your description.

However, if both parents are members and are standing there at the font expecting their child to be baptized, and especially if one of them is the father in the font with the child, I think you are ok.

My personal opinion. Read the book.