In this series, we’ll be looking at the primary adoption options for LDS families, and we’ll be starting with domestic adoption through LDS Family Services.

The social services arm of the Church has existed in one form or another since the Restoration. In the beginning, charitable work was primarily the undertaking of the Relief Society, but over the decades it became clear that the social needs of the Saints warranted creation of a separate program. Although organizations within the Church formally assisted with the placement of adoptive and foster children as early as 1919, (and informally, far earlier), LDS Family Services as we know it came about at the time of the massive Church-wide correlation effort in the 1960s. In 1973, now staffed with social workers and other specialists, it gained its current name and began charging fees for available services. Today, LDSFS has offices in every state, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Australia, England, Japan, and New Zealand. It is reaching out to single pregnant mothers, their partners and hopeful adoptive families through a stepped-up media campaign which includes TV and print ads, and a website: www.itsaboutlove.org, (under the Provident Living website at www.providentliving.org).

Over the past decade, we have seen dramatic changes with LDSFS, including the elimination of family size requirements, a brief foray into international adoption (more on this in a forthcoming installment of this series), a move toward increasing levels of openness in adoptions, and the utilization of its website for publishing parent profiles, and providing counsel and general information.

LDSFS currently offers two adoption programs: infant adoption and special needs (which rarely includes older child/sibling adoption). Couples hoping to adopt an infant must have been married at least two years, must have been sealed in the temple and be current temple recommend holders. They must also obtain a recommendation from their Bishop and be able to provide financially for their new child (including having adequate health insurance).

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