THE CHURCH OF JESUS GHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

OFFICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

47 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE STREET. SALT LA.KE CITY. UTAH 84150-1000

June 26, 2002

To: General Authorities and the following leaders in the United States and Canada: Area
Authority Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch
Presidents; Auxiliary Leaders

Dear Brethren and Sisters:

Adoption and Unwed Parents

(To be read in high priests group, elder’s quorum, and Relief Society meetings only.)

Parents and priesthood and auxiliary leaders are encouraged to teach members to live
chaste and virtuous lives and prepare to receive the ordinances of the temple. Children sealed to parents
have claim upon the blessings of the gospel beyond what others are entitled to receive.

When a man and woman conceive a child out of wedlock, every effort should be made to
encourage them to marry. When the probability of a successful marriage is unlikely due to age or
other circumstances, unwed parents should be counseled to place the child for adoption through
LDS Family Services to ensure that the baby will be sealed to temple-worthy parents. Adoption is
an unselfish, loving decision that blesses both the birth parents and the child in this life and in
eternity.

Birth parents who do not marry should not be counseled to keep the infant as a condition of
repentance or out of a sense of obligation to care for one's own. Unwed parents are not able to
provide the blessings of the sealing covenant. Further, they are generally unable to provide a stable,
nurturing environment which is so essential for the baby's well-being. Unmarried parents should
give prayerful consideration to the best interests of the child and the blessings that can come to an
infant who is sealed to a mother and father.

Sincerely your brethren,

 Historical Quotes on Birth Parents
First Presidency: July 18, 1977 and January 2, 1979
“By law and by assignment from the First Presidency, all matters pertaining to the adoption and foster care of
children in which the Church is or should be involved have been assigned to LDS [Family] Services.” Spencer
W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner, Marion G. Romney

First Presidency: May 25, 1989

“Unwed parents should be counseled to marry and establish a family. Of course, this may not always be
feasible. In the latter case, priesthood leaders should not make the parent feel that it is necessary to keep the
infant as part of the repentance process or out of an obligation to care for his/her own. Placing the infant for
adoption through LDS [Family] Services is preferred.” Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S.
Monson

First Presidency: February 1, 1994

“A child needs both a mother and a father who provide love, support, and all the blessings of the gospel. Every
effort should be made in helping those who conceive out of wedlock to establish an eternal family relationship.
When the unwed parents are unable or unwilling to marry, they should be encouraged to place the child for
adoption, preferably through LDS Social Services. Placing the infant for adoption through LDS Social Services
helps ensure that the baby will be reared in a faithful Latter-day Saint family and will receive the blessings of
the sacred sealing covenant.” Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson

The Family: A Proclamation to the World: September 23, 1995

“Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who
honor martial vows with complete fidelity.” First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles

The First Presidency: June 15, 1998

“Every effort should be made in helping those who conceive out of wedlock to establish an eternal family
relationship. When the probability of a successful marriage is unlikely, unwed parents should be encouraged to
place the child for adoption, preferably through LDS Social Services.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S.
Monson, James E. Faust

The First Presidency: June 26, 2002

“When a man and woman conceive a child out of wedlock, every effort should be made to encourage them to
marry. When the probability of a successful marriage is unlikely due to age or other circumstances, unwed
parents should be counseled to place the child for adoption through LDS Family Services to ensure that the
baby will be sealed to temple-worthy parents. Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses both the
birth parents and the child in this life and in eternity.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust

The First Presidency: October 4, 2006

“We express our support of unwed parents who place their children for adoption in stable homes with a mother
and a father.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust

The First Presidency: November 22, 2008

“Children are entitled to the blessing of being reared in a stable family environment where father and mother
honor marital vows. Having a secure, nurturing, and consistent relationship with both a father and a mother is
essential to a child’s well-being. When choosing adoption, unwed parents grant their children this most
important blessing. Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses the child, birth parents, and adoptive
parents in this life and throughout the eternities.” Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf