SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Mormon leader is telling members to be more thoughtful and sensitive toward children of all backgrounds, many of whom don't come from "picture perfect" families.

Neil L. Anderson said Saturday at a church conference in Salt Lake City that the religion has hundreds of thousands of children who live with only one parent or whose parents aren't Mormon.

Anderson, a high-ranking leader with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the religion will continue to advocate for families led by married men and women who belong to the faith.

But he said the religion should embrace other children too. Anderson didn't mention children of gay parents. The church came under fire last November when it announced new rules banning baptisms for children living with a gay or lesbian parent.

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