This post has been in my heart for some months. I hope that it may be helpful to someone, and that, more importantly, we may all be inspired when it comes to this issue to seek guidance from that God who gives us life.
I am full of gratitude for God, the Heavenly Father of us all. He loves each one of us more than we can possibly comprehend. He hopes for our ultimate happiness. In this gift of life, He has given us the most perfect way to grow and become like Him, and to learn to experience joy. We each have eyes to see and the ability to touch, smell, and appreciate countless wonders in nature that He created for us!
Heavenly Father desires all of us to enjoy the great blessings that life has to offer. Sadly, some of God’s children are cut off from the joy of living even in the womb. This is because of a commonly promoted idea that if an unborn child is unwanted, it is permissible to take his or her life. As stated by an apostle of Christ, Elder Russell M. Nelson, on this subject, “Human reasoning has twisted and transformed absolute truth into sound-bite slogans that promote a practice that is consummately wrong.”1 The practice of abortion for convenience breaks the heart of our Father in Heaven who created all human beings, born and yet unborn, and instituted life as an important experience and part of our eternal progression.
A woman’s right to make choices for herself should never be ignored. However, in the issue of abortion, this must be considered with wisdom and caution along with two other sacred and unchanging truths. The first unalterable and sacred truth Elder Nelson illustrates clearly, “When the controversies about abortion are debated, ‘individual right of choice’ is invoked as though it were the one supreme virtue. That could only be true if but one person were involved. The rights of any one individual do not allow the rights of another individual to be abused. In or out of marriage, abortion is not solely an individual matter. Terminating the life of a developing baby involves two individuals with separate bodies, brains, and hearts. A woman’s choice for her own body does not include the right to deprive her baby of life—and a lifetime of choices that her child would make.”1 Indeed, the sacred right of any child to live must not be cast aside for the sake of another’s convenience.
Secondly, freedom of choice is not without parameters. “We are free to think. We are free to plan. And we are free to do. But once an action has been taken, we are never free from its consequences.”1 We are each bound to the consequences which come from our choices.
Abortion is often associated with very real personal heartache, and there are tragic cases where pregnancy is not the result of a woman's choice. For this reason, Heavenly Father has not left us alone to try to understand what is right and what is wrong regarding abortion. The following is a statement by God's prophet, his counselors, and the Twelve Apostles, under the direction of God Himself: “In view of the widespread public interest in the issue of abortion, we reaffirm that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has consistently opposed elective abortion. More than a century ago, the First Presidency of the Church warned against this evil. We have repeatedly counseled people everywhere to turn from the devastating practice of abortion for personal or social convenience.
“The Church recognizes that there may be rare cases in which abortion may be justified—cases involving pregnancy by incest or rape; when the life or health of the woman is adjudged 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 these are not automatic reasons for abortion. Even in these cases, the couple should consider abortion only after consulting with each other, and their bishop, and receiving divine confirmation through prayer. The practice of elective abortion is fundamentally contrary to the Lord’s injunction, ‘Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it.’ (D&C 59:6.) We urge all to preserve the sanctity of human life and thereby realize the happiness promised to those who keep the commandments of the Lord.”2
In cases where pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, Heavenly Father is deeply pained to see any of His beloved daughters suffer pain or heartache because of the wicked actions of another. He will comfort, guide, and heal each one as they seek His help in the difficult decisions they must face.
Heavenly Father’s love for His daughters exceeds human comprehension. He has entrusted us with a distinctively sacred role in bringing life to His spirit children. There are two wonderful ways to fulfill that role in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. Marriage and raising a child is an ideal solution when it is right for the individuals concerned. Creating a family is an incomparable experience of partnership with God. It has brought a level of meaning and happiness to my life I could not have previously imagined. My children are full of innocence and happiness—qualities which have lifted me closer to our Creator in many moments, both simple and powerful.
When marriage is not the best option, adoption is a beautiful way to turn a trying situation into an unspeakable gift, a blessing that reaches out to touch the lives of many. Adoption has played a significant role in my life. Several of my dear adopted relatives have brought wholeness and immeasurable joy to their mothers and fathers. They are here because their birth mothers in very difficult circumstances considered carefully the gift and responsibility bestowed on them to be a giver of life. Their parents are now filled with love and gratitude that cannot be adequately expressed.
To those faced with difficult decisions surrounding an unexpected pregnancy, if you seek God’s help you will not be left alone. For all of us who make mistakes, large and small, He freely forgives us as we sincerely and properly repent. Though challenges will come, Heavenly Father will guide you and grant you the peace and joy that come only from Him. Our lives will be greatly blessed as we choose to safeguard life as a sacred gift to all. At this season, let us honor Him who granted us life and whose incomparable sacrifice opened our way to eternal life!
The Greatest Gift
Heavenly Father desires all of us to enjoy the great blessings that life has to offer. Sadly, some of God’s children are cut off from the joy of living even in the womb. This is because of a commonly promoted idea that if an unborn child is unwanted, it is permissible to take his or her life. As stated by an apostle of Christ, Elder Russell M. Nelson, on this subject, “Human reasoning has twisted and transformed absolute truth into sound-bite slogans that promote a practice that is consummately wrong.”1 The practice of abortion for convenience breaks the heart of our Father in Heaven who created all human beings, born and yet unborn, and instituted life as an important experience and part of our eternal progression.
A woman’s right to make choices for herself should never be ignored. However, in the issue of abortion, this must be considered with wisdom and caution along with two other sacred and unchanging truths. The first unalterable and sacred truth Elder Nelson illustrates clearly, “When the controversies about abortion are debated, ‘individual right of choice’ is invoked as though it were the one supreme virtue. That could only be true if but one person were involved. The rights of any one individual do not allow the rights of another individual to be abused. In or out of marriage, abortion is not solely an individual matter. Terminating the life of a developing baby involves two individuals with separate bodies, brains, and hearts. A woman’s choice for her own body does not include the right to deprive her baby of life—and a lifetime of choices that her child would make.”1 Indeed, the sacred right of any child to live must not be cast aside for the sake of another’s convenience.
Secondly, freedom of choice is not without parameters. “We are free to think. We are free to plan. And we are free to do. But once an action has been taken, we are never free from its consequences.”1 We are each bound to the consequences which come from our choices.
Abortion is often associated with very real personal heartache, and there are tragic cases where pregnancy is not the result of a woman's choice. For this reason, Heavenly Father has not left us alone to try to understand what is right and what is wrong regarding abortion. The following is a statement by God's prophet, his counselors, and the Twelve Apostles, under the direction of God Himself: “In view of the widespread public interest in the issue of abortion, we reaffirm that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has consistently opposed elective abortion. More than a century ago, the First Presidency of the Church warned against this evil. We have repeatedly counseled people everywhere to turn from the devastating practice of abortion for personal or social convenience.
“The Church recognizes that there may be rare cases in which abortion may be justified—cases involving pregnancy by incest or rape; when the life or health of the woman is adjudged 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 these are not automatic reasons for abortion. Even in these cases, the couple should consider abortion only after consulting with each other, and their bishop, and receiving divine confirmation through prayer. The practice of elective abortion is fundamentally contrary to the Lord’s injunction, ‘Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it.’ (D&C 59:6.) We urge all to preserve the sanctity of human life and thereby realize the happiness promised to those who keep the commandments of the Lord.”2
In cases where pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, Heavenly Father is deeply pained to see any of His beloved daughters suffer pain or heartache because of the wicked actions of another. He will comfort, guide, and heal each one as they seek His help in the difficult decisions they must face.
Heavenly Father’s love for His daughters exceeds human comprehension. He has entrusted us with a distinctively sacred role in bringing life to His spirit children. There are two wonderful ways to fulfill that role in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. Marriage and raising a child is an ideal solution when it is right for the individuals concerned. Creating a family is an incomparable experience of partnership with God. It has brought a level of meaning and happiness to my life I could not have previously imagined. My children are full of innocence and happiness—qualities which have lifted me closer to our Creator in many moments, both simple and powerful.
When marriage is not the best option, adoption is a beautiful way to turn a trying situation into an unspeakable gift, a blessing that reaches out to touch the lives of many. Adoption has played a significant role in my life. Several of my dear adopted relatives have brought wholeness and immeasurable joy to their mothers and fathers. They are here because their birth mothers in very difficult circumstances considered carefully the gift and responsibility bestowed on them to be a giver of life. Their parents are now filled with love and gratitude that cannot be adequately expressed.
To those faced with difficult decisions surrounding an unexpected pregnancy, if you seek God’s help you will not be left alone. For all of us who make mistakes, large and small, He freely forgives us as we sincerely and properly repent. Though challenges will come, Heavenly Father will guide you and grant you the peace and joy that come only from Him. Our lives will be greatly blessed as we choose to safeguard life as a sacred gift to all. At this season, let us honor Him who granted us life and whose incomparable sacrifice opened our way to eternal life!
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;
and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee”
(Jeremiah 1:5)
and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee”
(Jeremiah 1:5)
Notes
1. “Abortion: An Assault on the Defenseless”, Elder Russell M. Nelson, October 2008 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2. Church issues statement on abortion (statement made January 11, 1991).
Painting: Carl Bloch, The Birth of Jesus.
