Mormon Handbook

File

* mormon-handbook-of-instructions-1999.pdf (click to view full file)
* mormon-handbook-of-instructions-1999.pdf (alternative address)

Analysis
Mormon Church attempts to gag Internet over handbook

Summary

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the "Mormon Church") confidential Church Handbook of instructions (1999). The handbook reveals the procedure of handling confidential matters related to tithing payment, excommunication, baptism and doctrine teaching (indoctrination). The book is not generally available for normal members.

Some excerpts:

Persons Who Are Considering or Have Undergone a Transsexual Operation

Persons who are considering an elective transsexual operation should not be baptized. Persons who have already undergone an elective transsexual operation may be baptized if they are otherwise found worthy in an interview with the mission president or a priesthood leader he assigns. Such persons may not receive the priesthood or a temple recommend.


Surrogate Motherhood

Surrogate motherhood is strongly discouraged.

Surgical Sterilization (Including Vasectomy)

The Church strongly discourages surgical sterilization as an elective form of birth control. It should be considered only if (1) medical conditions seriously jeopardize life or health or (2) birth defects or serious trauma have rendered a person mentally incompetent and not responsible for his or her actions. Such conditions must be determined by competent medical judgment and in accordance with law. Even then, the persons responsible for this decision should consult with each other and with their bishop and should receive divine confirmation of their decision through prayer.

Sperm Donation

The donation of sperm is strongly discouraged.

Hypnosis

The use of hypnosis under competent, professional medical supervision for the treatment of diseases or mental disorders is a medical question to be determined by competent medical authorities. Members should not participate in hypnosis for purposes of demonstration or entertainment.

Name Removal and Church Discipline

If a member requests name removal and a bishop or stake president has evidence of transgression that warrants convening a disciplinary council, he should not act on the request until Church discipline has been imposed or he has concluded that no disciplinary council will be held. Name removal should not be used as a substitute for or alternative to Church discipline. If a member requests name removal and a bishop or stake president suspects transgression but lacks sufficient evidence to convene a disciplinary council, the request for name removal may be approved. Any evidence of unresolved transgressions should be noted on the Report of Administrative Action form so priesthood leaders may resolve such matters if the individual
applies for readmission into the Church.

Context
United States
Church or religious organization
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Wikileaks release date
Wednesday April 16, 2008
Primary language
English
Note
The 'scribd.com' link for the first file has been subsequently censored.
File size in bytes
970236
File type information
PDF document, version 1.4
Cryptographic identity
SHA256 006054d7af5a8e4a98e445b259e2bfd7bb45956a8d42fc9ed48cbf725e27ad54
Description (as provided by the original submitter)

1) The file of the first of two volumes was released and archived on a web site. The date of publication is 1998 for official release in early 1999.

2) The file in question appears significant because the book is strictly confidential among the Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka LDS in short form) bishops and stake presidents and it reveal the procedure of handling confidential matters related to tithing payment, excommunication, baptism and doctrine teaching (indoctrination). The book is not generally available for normal members. The book was handed down or leaked by the member who held a respectable position within the church hierarchy in a regional ward or stake (place of church).

3) The attached document is meant for the audience interested to know the inner workings of the LDS Church in terms of how the organization is run in regions by ward bishops and stake presidents in the management of financial and ecclesiastical affairs. The audience may be composed of ex-Mormons, active Mormons and comparative religion students and religion scholars/agnostics/atheists focused on the tenets of the "cult" behaviorial patterns in the governance of a particular organized religion.

4) The verification can be obtained by Wikipedia'ing "General Handbook of Instructions" for the listing and year of publication. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Handbook_of_Instructions Googling the title will pull up the similar results, albeit in lengthy typed form on web sites devoted to the expose of the LDS Church's method of control by socio-cultural religious indoctrination.

5) The 1999 handbook is another one of the starting points to supplement 1968 PDF document submission (General_Handbook_of_Instructions_1968), and once it is propagated in readership, additional handbooks listed in the aforementioned Wikipedia page may be leaked to provide additional and supplemental information shedding the light on the methodology of social management within the setting of religious culture in financial and ecclesiastical manner.

6) No urgent event. The purpose of a leaked document intended for the regional church leaders is to provide the truth on how the organized religion is managed internally that report to the higher authority with financial surpluses and ecclesiastical affairs. This will help further the understanding of a religious organization -- founded in America circa 1840 [sic - 1830] -- perceived as a sect and/or a cult.

For more information on LDS Church's defense of Church Handbook of Instructions as a guide meant for approved church officers, suggested reading is February 2001 issue of Salt Lake City Messenger newsletter "LDS CHURCH SUES MINISTRY" [1]

Wednesday, May 14, 2008