GLBT equality advocates are hailing alterations to the Mormon "Church Handbook" as evidence that the church--famed for its role in supporting Proposition 8 two years ago in California--is changing its stance toward gays.

The Human Rights Campaign responded to revisions in the LDS Church Handbook that departed from earlier editions of the book by not labeling homosexual urges in and of themselves as "sinful." The new edition also departs from earlier editions in not directing church leaders to send gay and lesbian Mormons through so-called "reparative therapy," which purports to "cure" gays.