SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church says it has changed its genealogical database to better prevent the names of Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps from being submitted for posthumous baptism by proxy.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a coalition of Jewish leaders said a new computer system and policy changes related to the practice should resolve a years-long disagreement over the baptisms.

Mormons believe posthumous baptism by proxy provides an opportunity for persons to receive the Gospel in the afterlife. Baptisms are performed in Mormon temples with members immersing themselves in a baptismal pool as proxies for others. The names used in the ceremonies are drawn from a church-run genealogical database.

Faithful Mormons use the practice primarily to have their ancestors baptized into the 180-year-old church and believe the ceremonies reunite families in the afterlife.

But the practice also includes proxy rites for others around the world from all faith traditions. The church believes departed souls can accept or reject the baptismal rites in the afterlife and contends the offerings are not intended to offend anyone.

Jews, however, are offended by the idea that Mormons are trying to alter the religion of Holocaust victims, who were murdered because of their religion.

Under new church policies, members will be required to certify names submitted to the database for baptism. Further safeguards include monitoring those names for submissions that do not meet policy standards and the removal of records, church spokesman Michael Purdy said on a church-owned website.

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