LDS Adoption Guide

From the LDS church publication, True to the Faith (2004):

“When a child is conceived out of wedlock, the best option is for the mother and father of the child to marry and work toward establishing an eternal family relationship. If a successful marriage is unlikely, they should place the child for adoption, preferably [with a temple-worthy LDS family]. Placing the infant for adoption [with a temple-worthy LDS family] helps unwed parents do what is best for the child. It ensures that the child will be sealed to a mother and a father in the temple, and it enhances the prospect for the blessings of the gospel in the lives of all concerned. Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses the birth parents, the child, and the adoptive family.”

From the LDS church publication, True to the Faith (2004):

“If you are married and you and your spouse want to adopt a child, be sure you know all legal requirements of the countries and governmental agencies that are involved. Counsel with your priesthood leaders and, if possible, with staff members in LDS Family Services. If LDS Family Services is not available in your area, work with your priesthood leaders to locate licensed, authorized agencies that protect both the children and the adoptive parents.”

Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS church, along with his wife, Emma, adopted twins Julia and Joseph in 1830 after their mother passed away. The Smiths had just lost their own biological twins, who were born prematurely.

Since then, adoption has been a common practice among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

LDS Family Services offers counseling services for expectant parents who are considering placing a child for adoption regarding their options.

Find your local LDS Family Services office by visiting Provident Living.

LDS Family Services provides counseling to hopeful adoptive parents. They will work with parents to identify their adoption options and will provide information about community resources available to help them adopt. They can also assist clients in building an adoption profile on Adoption.com/LDS.

In early 2015, LDS Family Services announced that it had entered a relationship with Adoption.com aimed at increasing reach and exposure for LDS hopeful adoptive parents.

LDS parents who are hoping to adopt can create a profile on Adoption.com/LDS. Before the listing goes live, LDS Family Services will request a letter of recommendation from the parents’ bishop, and Adoption.com will verify that there is a home study in place.

Additionally, through April 30, 2016, the LDS Church will pay for LDS couples to be listed on Adoption.com Parent Profiles to help provide more adoption opportunities. After April 30, 2016, LDS couples will be provided with a free basic profile that will be featured on Adoption.com/LDS. Adoption.com/LDS will not be advertised by Adoption.com and there will be no external links. Traffic to this page will be driven by referrals from LDS Family Services. This profile will include a letter page with four photos, a contact page that will allow expectant parents to contact you, an about page that will include placement preferences, and two external links such as a family blog or Facebook profile. This basic profile will not include the other features of Adoption.com Parent Profiles profiles such as videos, favorites, or recommendations.

If you have further questions, visit ldsadoption.org.

To connect with other LDS hopeful adoptive couples, check out our Faith Adoption forum.

There are millions of children in orphanages and foster care worldwide, just waiting to find a good home.

If you are interested in adopting a child internationally or through US foster care, spend some time browsing through our photolisting.

Parent Profiles(SM) is a website designed specifically to allow hopeful adoptive parents to connect with parents who are considering placing a child for adoption.

You can create an interactive profile on Adoption.com Parent Profiles that includes features such as videos, profile statistics, endorsements, and a Pinterest-like section to share interests, video chat, and photo albums.

These features will help you better stand out and connect with expectant parents who are considering an adoption placement for their child.

View profiles of LDS hopeful adoptive parents.

If you’ve decided to adopt domestically, you should consider hiring an adoption navigator. The Adoption Navigators program will help you expand your exposure to potential birth parents and likely decrease your adoption wait time.

When you sign up for Adoption Navigators, you’ll receive one-on-one coaching every step of the way, the ability to advertise your desire to adopt on Adoption.com and its affiliate websites, and so much more.

Click here to learn more.

If you are interested in reuniting with a birth family member after adoption, consider signing up for our Reunion Registry. It’s free! When you are registered, the system allows you to search digitally for other registered members with defined search criteria. This is a great way to reunite with someone who is actively looking for you, too.

Because of the efficiency and popularity of online registries and social network sites, they are a great places to list your information. These methods work best if you have identifying information about the person you are searching for. To create your profile or search, visit our registry.

You may also want to consider hiring a professional Adoption Detective. Why? An adoption detective has:

- access to databases not available to the public.
- experience conducting adoption searches.
- knowledge of and access to effective search avenues and tools.
- familiarity with the evolution of adoption law and adoption practices over the years.

Did you know Rachel Coleman of Signing Times is a birth mom?

Did you know these LDS sports players are adopted?

- Bryan Kehl, former football player for BYU.

- Kyle Van Noy, former football player for BYU and current Detroit Lions linebacker.

- Brandon Davies, former basketball player for BYU.

Did you know these Latter-day Saints are adoptive or foster parents?

- Richard Paul Evans, New York Times bestselling author and father of an adopted daughter.

- Ben Romney, son of former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, and father of an adopted son.

- Marie Osmond, singer, actress, television personality and mother of five adopted children.

- Aaron and Lychelle Day, owners of the Blue Lemon franchise and parents of two adopted brothers.

- Brandon Doman, former football player for BYU and in the NFL, now a coach at BYU, and an adoptive father.

- Glen Beck, radio and TV talk show host, and an adoptive dad.

- Richie (speaker, author) and Natalie Norton (photographer), parents of three foster children.

- Jack Gerard, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, President of Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Executive Board Chair, Area Seventy, and an adoptive dad.

- Ashley Lemieux, author of the Shine Project and legal guardian of two little ones.

- Amy Twitty, blogger, shop owner, and a hopeful adoptive mother.

- Kami Bigler, blogger and adoptive mama.