Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has updated its topic page on abortion.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life. Therefore, the Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience, and counsels its members not to submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for such abortions.
The Church allows for possible exceptions for its members when:
- Pregnancy results from rape or incest, or
- A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or
- A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.
Even these exceptions do not automatically justify abortion. Abortion is a most serious matter. It should be considered only after the persons responsible have received confirmation through prayer. Members may counsel with their bishops as part of this process.
The Church’s position on this matter remains unchanged. As states work to enact laws related to abortion, Church members may appropriately choose to participate in efforts to protect life and to preserve religious liberty.
Thankyou for this kind and succinct clarity on abortion. As a proud mother of four, I rejoice in life.
I’ve read this statement before — several months back. There has been no change, no update or re-wording.
As before, the church is against elective abortion
I think the only change was the final statement that “As states work to enact laws related to abortion, Church members may appropriately choose to participate in efforts to protect life and to preserve religious liberty.”
Good. I like the linking of protecting life and religious liberty. Thank you.
I totally agree.
Thanks. I am grateful for the SCOTUS ruling as it is inline with the Constitution. Seperately, life is sacred.
I wholeheartedly accept the Church’s position on abortion realizing that life is sacred and that the invitation to invite spirit children of our Father in Heaven is a responsibility with great blessings and eternal consequences.
I appreciate this statement and agree with it. I also believe we have the duty to protect life through providing better public and private resources for women who feel an elective abortion could be their answer. We need to be compassionate about their fears and support them in finding resources for other options. These women need advocates or they will be vulnerable to dangerous alternatives.