Background

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has two handbooks that represent the church’s policies, procedures, and guidelines. While Handbook #1 is available only for Stake Presidents and Bishops in the church, Handbook #2 is meant to be a guide for members of ward and stake councils and is available to anyone.

It is important for all members to be familiar with the content of Handbook #2, but in my experience, even among very devout and active members of the church, there are many who don’t even know the handbook is available, let alone what it says.

I have been reading through Handbook #2 and there are a number of policies and positions of the church of which I suspect many church members are not aware. This is the first in a series of blog posts in which I will highlight some of the interesting contents of the handbook.

Handbook #2 Highlight: Recreational Hypnotism

“The use of hypnosis under competent, professional medical supervision for the treatment of diseases or mental disorders is a medical question to be determined by competent medical authorities. Members should not participate in hypnosis for purposes of demonstration or entertainment.” (emphasis added)

Handbook 2: 21.3.5

Resources

You can read Handbook #2 online at the church’s official website. It is also available as a PDF Document.

You can also add it to the official Gospel Library App for mobile devices under Manage Library > Other > Leadership > Handbook 2: Administering the Church