Step by Step

Children Who Are Born in the Covenant (BIC)

Policy and Principles

Children who are born after their mother has been sealed to a husband in a temple are born in the covenant of that sealing unless the mother or the husband to whom she was sealed had his or her membership withdrawn or resigned his or her membership from the Church and did not receive a restoration of blessings before the child was born.

If a woman who has been sealed to a former husband remarries, the children of her later marriage are born in the covenant of the first marriage unless they were born after the sealing was canceled or after it was revoked due to withdrawal or resignation of Church membership and there was not a restoration of blessings.

Being born in the covenant entitles children to an eternal parentage, depending on their faithfulness. Members who have concerns about the eternal nature of such relationships can find peace in the knowledge that Heavenly Father is loving and just. He will ensure that eternal family relationships will be fair and right for all who keep their covenants.