[greyfoxx39]

Quite often on the "mormon" threads, we see boasts about the "superiority" of having a lay clergy. This means that none of the leaders have specialized training in their positions, and are chosen by the prayerful "discernment" of other leaders. There has been more than one instance of the process failing.

Admittedly bad apples get through the vetting process of those who are trained leaders, but there is no formal vetting done in filling many of these lay clergy cases.

The "forever family" in temple clothing.

[greyfoxx39]

There's no way to tell if LDS Family Services was involved in the adoption of the boy, but it's a possibility.

Adopting with LDS Family Services

Pregnant

• Hoping to Adopt
• Professionals
• Church Leaders  

  Adopting with LDS Family Services

  

  LDS Family Services provides infant adoption services for couples residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The agency prepares couples for inter-country adoption by completing a home study which ensures that couples meet agency and government requirements. This typically includes 3–4 interviews and completing paperwork provided by the agency. In most offices, adoption classes and support groups are also offered. Waiting time for a placement varies from couple to couple and is not guaranteed. Many factors influence selection, including the number of approved adoptive couples, children available for adoption, birth parents' preferences, and adoptive couples involvement in the process.

  Each couple must meet some basic eligibility requirements.
  Qualified adoptive applicants are:

  • Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sealed to each other in the temple, and have current temple recommends.
  • Married at least two years and have a stable marital relationship. If either partner has been involved in a divorce, agency director approval is needed.
  • In good physical health with a reasonable life expectancy. If either partner has a history of voluntary sterilization, agency director approval is needed.
  • Financially able to care for the child.
  • Able to clear criminal background and child abuse registry checks as required by government regulations.
  • Able to provide health insurance coverage for adopted children placed with them.

  Government regulations may have additional requirements.

  Fees range from $4,000 to $10,000 based on 10 percent of the couple’s combined gross annual income as reported on a couple's previous year’s tax return.  The cost of each adoption is subsidized by a grant from the LDS Church.

[Elsie]

 

 This means that none of the leaders have specialized training in their positions, and are chosen by the prayerful "discernment" of other leaders.

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In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)