Applications to the First Presidency consist of the following five types:
All correspondence gathered when completing an application to the First Presidency should be kept strictly confidential.
Applications submitted to the First Presidency receive careful consideration by the First Presidency. Membership privileges in the Church, including priesthood and temple blessings, require the highest standards of worthiness. Priesthood leaders should ensure that applicants are living all gospel standards and have demonstrated a pattern of faithfulness over an extended period. Additionally, applicants should personally certify their worthiness and should conscientiously strive to comply with the prophet’s instructions. Priesthood leaders and applicants should not assume that submission of an application will guarantee that the request will be granted.
All decisions regarding these applications belong to the jurisdiction of the First Presidency.
If a person who has been sealed to a previous spouse is applying for lifting of formal membership restrictions or restoration of blessings and has immediate plans to be sealed to another spouse, he or she should apply for sealing clearance or cancellation of sealing at the same time.
If circumstances regarding an application change after it has been submitted to Church headquarters, including the applicant’s address or worthiness status, the stake president should contact Confidential Records immediately.
A man who has been divorced from a woman who was sealed to him must receive a sealing clearance from the First Presidency before another woman may be sealed to him. A sealing clearance is necessary even if (1) the previous sealing has been canceled or (2) the divorced wife is now deceased. A sealing clearance is not required if the first wife is deceased and there was no divorce.
Before submitting an application for sealing clearance, the stake president makes sure that the divorce is final, that all legal issues related to the divorce have been resolved, and that the applicant is current in all legal requirements for child and spousal support related to the divorce.
The bishop and stake president should instruct the applicant that he may not schedule an appointment for a temple marriage or sealing until he receives a letter from the First Presidency giving notice that the sealing clearance has been granted. The person should present this letter at the temple.
A woman who has been sealed to a former husband must obtain a cancellation of that sealing before being sealed to another husband. Priesthood leaders should not discourage members from applying for a cancellation of sealing.
Before submitting an application for cancellation of sealing, the stake president makes sure that the divorce is final, that all legal issues related to the divorce have been resolved, and that the applicant is current in all legal requirements for child and spousal support related to the divorce.
The bishop and stake president should instruct the applicant that he or she may not schedule an appointment for a temple marriage or sealing until he or she receives a letter from the First Presidency giving notice that the cancellation of sealing has been granted. The person should present this letter at the temple.
First Presidency approval is required for lifting of formal membership restrictions or readmission when a member was placed on formal membership restrictions or had a withdrawal of membership for any of the following sins (as defined in General Handbook, 32.16.1), or if he or she committed any of these sins after being placed on formal membership restrictions or had a withdrawal of membership:
When considering a lifting of formal membership restrictions or readmission that requires First Presidency approval, the presiding officer conducts the membership council following standard procedures. Preauthorization from the First Presidency is not required to convene the council unless a member is on a legal probation. If the membership council recommends a change in status, the presiding officer may notify the person of the recommendation. However, he explains that the status cannot be changed until the First Presidency gives written approval of the recommendation.
Endowed persons who had their membership withdrawn (or who resigned their membership in the Church) and were later readmitted by baptism and confirmation can receive their priesthood and temple blessing only through the ordinance of restoration of blessings. Such persons are not ordained to priesthood offices or endowed again, since all priesthood and temple blessings held at the time of withdrawal or resignation are restored through the ordinance. Brethren are restored to their former priesthood office, except the office of seventy, bishop, or patriarch.
Only the First Presidency can approve the performance of the ordinance of restoration of blessings. The First Presidency will not consider an application for this ordinance sooner than one year after the person is readmitted by baptism and confirmation.
When letters from former spouses are required to complete an application, the bishop should make the request. The applicant should not be asked to contact a former spouse.
When letters from victims of child abuse are required, the bishop should contact the priesthood leaders of the victims and request that the victims be given the opportunity to write a letter describing their welfare and their feelings about the application. Communications with any victim who is under 18 years of age should be made through his or her parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The applicant should never be asked to contact the victim(s).
All Applications to the First Presidency should be completed and submitted to Church headquarters electronically. Click here to begin the process (only bishops and branch presidents may initiate an Application to the First Presidency).
When the bishop initiates an application, he is given the option to have the applicant and his or her present spouse (if applicable) complete their portion of the application online by providing their email addresses, or he may have them provide written letters to the First Presidency. However, to improve the accuracy and completeness of all information submitted, it is preferred that they use the online method.
The bishop interviews the applicant to verify the accuracy of all information and to verify worthiness. When all requirements have been met, he clicks Submit to Stake President.
The bishop may make changes to the application, under the stake president’s direction, until the application is submitted to Church headquarters.
If completing their portion of the application online, the applicant and his or her present spouse (if applicable) will each receive an email instructing them how to complete and submit their portion of the application online. When finished, they click Submit to Bishop.
If completing their portion of the application manually, the applicant and his or her present spouse (if applicable) will each be asked to write a letter to the First Presidency. Instructions on what information to include in their letters will be provided by the bishop.
When a bishop submits an application to the stake president, the stake president receives an email with instructions on how to complete his portion of the application. Click here to go to the Actions in Process page and view applications or other confidential actions that are currently in process. The stake president then reviews the application, interviews the applicant, completes his portion of the application, and clicks Send to Headquarters.
The bishop and stake president may make changes to the application until it is submitted to Church headquarters. After an application has been received by Church headquarters, it will no longer appear on the Actions in Process page.
After the First Presidency has reviewed the application, a decision letter will be sent to the stake president through Leader and Clerk Resources.