Situations That Require Authorization from the Mission President or First Presidency

Authorization from the mission president is required before a person can be baptized if he or she has ever:

Committed a serious crime (see 38.2.8.8).

Participated in an abortion (see 38.6.1).

In these cases, the mission president interviews the person. If necessary, the mission president may authorize one of his counselors to conduct the interview. He gives this authorization separately for each interview. The counselor who conducts it reports to the mission president, who may then authorize or deny the baptism and confirmation.

Approval from the First Presidency is required before a person can be baptized if he or she:

Has committed murder (see 38.2.8.8).

Has been convicted of a crime involving sexual misconduct (see 38.2.8.8).

Is currently on legal probation or parole for a felony or a crime involving sexual misconduct (see 38.2.8.8).

Has been involved in plural marriage (see 38.2.8.9).

Has completed transition to the opposite of his or her biological sex at birth (see 38.2.8.10).

If the person is seeking baptism for the first time, the mission president interviews him or her. If he finds the person to be worthy and if he recommends baptism, he submits a request for approval to the First Presidency using LCR.

If the person is a former member seeking readmission, the bishop and stake president both interview him or her. They follow the instructions in 32.16. If they both find the person to be worthy and recommend baptism, the stake president submits a request to the First Presidency using LCR.

Any request to the First Presidency should include all pertinent details as determined in the interviews.