SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will allow women to be official “witnesses” at two key ceremonies where they were previously only allowed to observe. The Church, which President Russell M. Nelson describes as having its work “moving forward at an accelerated pace” has made several new policies in his tenure, which dates back to January 2018.
Nelson said in a news release Wednesday that the policy change allows women to serve as witnesses at baptisms for the living and dead and at a ceremony inside church temples for married couples called a “sealing,” which the faith believes unites the couple for eternity.
Only men had been allowed to be official witnesses previously.
The Utah-based faith of 16 million members reserves the priesthood and the highest leadership positions for men, but has made several changes in recent years to involve women more.
