The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week revised its newly released policies for the children of same-sex couples the day before hundreds of its members resigned their affiliations as Mormons in protest. 

An edict handed out to churches in late October said the children of gay couples would be banned from memberships until they were 18 years of age, and would be accepted into the church only if they renounced gay marriage and received approval from church leaders.

The proclamation also barred children of same-sex couples from being baptized, blessed, or confirmed, and made gay marriage grounds for excommunicating members…

“While [the Mormon church] respects the law of the land, and acknowledges the right of others to think and act differently, it does not perform or accept same-sex marriage within its membership,” the spokesperson said in a statement.