While most Mormons are very pro-life, the LDS Church is (officially) much less so.

One area where most Mormons are excellent is morality. The two missionaries we spoke to had no problem denouncing abortion as murder, and saying that even in the tough cases (rape, incest, etc.), there are better options. In fact, they pointed to the numerous social services which the LDS Church provided. I said, “I thought your church permitted abortion in some circumstances?” and they denied it. At this point, I read from the official LDS website:

Church leaders have said that some exceptional circumstances may justify an abortion, such as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, when the life or health of the mother is judged by competent medical authority to be in serious jeopardy, or when the fetus is known by competent medical authority to have severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth. But even these circumstances do not automatically justify an abortion. Those who face such circumstances should consider abortion only after consulting with their local Church leaders and receiving a confirmation through earnest prayer.

So in fact, while most Mormons are very pro-life, the LDS Church is much less so. Cary then asked, “Wait, so is murder sometimes okay?” The two missionaries were clearly unaware that their church taught this, and seemed troubled by it. One of them speculated that the local church leaders wouldn’t permit an abortion, despite what it said, but I don’t think he even convinced himself.

2 Comments

  1. An LDS missionary is a 19 year old boy who voluntarily gives up 2 years of his life and pays around 10k to go on a mission.

    That being said, how do you expect volunteers to be able to quote every last policy that the LDS church has?

    I am about to go on a mission and have been studying for my whole life so I was aware of these particular church polices. but lets say the missionary’s you talked to where converts themselves.

    As to the matter of these polices, the church does back some cases of abortion although its on a case by case basis. In fact the church also stands by capital punishment –which is seen as murder by some people. but again its on a case by case basis.

  2. It is true that the Mormon church teaches that their are some extreme reasons when an abortion is justified.

    Mormons are probably better than any other group at keeping the commandments of God but are also taught to do all things in wisdom and order. Some things like adultery are never justified but we need to use good judgment on others.


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