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Two portions of the consolidated handbook for leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (first published in English in February) are now available in 22 languages online and in the Gospel Library app. Chapter 32 (Repentance and Church Membership Councils) and several parts of section 38.6 (Policies on Moral Issues) are available in the following languages in addition to English:
- Cebuano
- Chinese, simplified
- Chinese, traditional
- Danish
- Dutch
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Samoan
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Tagalog
- Tongan
- Ukrainian
As noted in February 2020, chapter 32 guides leaders in a more sequential way through key decisions and actions necessary to help people repent of a serious sin. The chapter also focuses on how to help protect others from those who pose a physical or spiritual threat. Some key terminology in chapter 32 has changed. Disciplinary councils are now called “Church membership councils.” These bodies continue to help Latter-day Saints through their repentance process with love, hope and concern. Also, instead of being “disfellowshipped,” members are given “formal membership restrictions.” And excommunication is instead called a “withdrawal of membership.” Section 38.6 outlines the Church’s policies and procedures on many moral issues. Some policies are new, some have been updated and some may be updated in the future. The moral policies translated in this update concern abortion, abuse, artificial insemination, birth control, child pornography, incest, in vitro fertilization, same-sex marriage, sex education, sexual abuse, single expectant parents, sperm donation, suicide, surgical sterilization, surrogate motherhood and a new entry on transgender individuals.