- RLD on What Was Revealed to You In Church (Or What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday), 3/29)?: “Our sacrament meeting was all musical numbers to celebrate Palm Sunday (and basically Easter since we won’t meet next week). It went well, despite yours truly singing. My wife is a convert and she misses the Holy Week rituals she grew up with, so it was fun to see the Primary children waving palm leaves while they sang, even if they were paper. It seemed a little odd not to have any speakers at all, but it reminded me that what we know about Jesus isn’t nearly as important as how we feel about him, and music conveys that well. I’m cautiously optimistic about the upcoming change to second hour. Only having 25 minutes of class time should prompt teachers to pick a single objective, hopefully by revelation, and focus the entire lesson on accomplishing it. Two short, tightly-focused lessons a week could be a good thing.” Mar 31, 14:54
- on A Review: Changemakers: Women Who Boldly Built Zion: “Who are some of the women profiled in this book?” Mar 31, 13:05
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “Chip, Your link was to an outdated 1991 version of the church statement, but I provided the complete text of the current version. Yes, my reading of the church’s current official statement tells me that the church limits its counsel to its own members, and my reading of the current statement and the immediately preceding statement tells me the church has no position on abortion legislation or demonstrations. I understand some church members may occasionally teach beyond the current official statement, but I rely on the current official statement. I fully support religious liberty, so I support the right of Latter-day Saints to avoid elective abortions, and for others to similarly follow their own religious teachings, if any, on the matter. Regarding legislation, I sustain the privilege of all citizens to make their own decisions at the ballot box. Best wishes.” Mar 31, 12:34
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “@Mortimer – Your world view is really bizarre. Apparently suggesting, “Let’s not kill this baby” is terrifying to you. But saying, “Let’s chop this living baby to pieces, crush her skull with pliers, vacuum everything out, and then maybe we can sell her organs to research labs” is A-Okay. I don’t get it.” Mar 31, 11:05
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “@ji — Your paraphrases that “the church has no position on abortion legislation or demonstrations” and “the church appropriately limits its counsel to its own members” are inaccurate and misleading. The church policy that “remains unchanged” explicitly says, “We continue to encourage our members as citizens to let their voices be heard in appropriate and legal ways that will evidence their belief in the sacredness of life.” (https://bit.ly/4sHlFOu) So the Church *does* have a position officially encouraging members to participate in legal demonstrations and other pro-Life activities. And the Proclamation on the Family is addressed as “A Proclamation to the World” (not just to members of the Church), and states simply “We affirm the sanctity of life.” (https://bit.ly/47BmJLr) You can find dozens and dozens of statements like these in the Doctrinal Library compiled at Latter-day Saints for Life: https://bit.ly/47zsA45 The LDS Church is unequivocally opposed to elective abortion. The list of possible exceptions is very small (less than 1% of all abortions), and is clearly intended to be interpreted in a very constrained manner. But I can also confirm that “A person who seeks forgiveness with “godly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10; see also 3 Nephi 9:20) and “full purpose of heart” (3 Nephi 18:32) may repent and be forgiven for the sin of abortion.” (You left that part out of your quotation.) I have many friends in this work who have experienced this transformation in their own lives, and it is a beautiful thing to witness.” Mar 31, 10:10
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “from the church’s website: 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 [meaning that the church has no position on abortion legislation or demonstrations]. 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. I note that the church appropriately limits its counsel to its own members.” Mar 31, 01:02
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “This is US data, it’s different for post-soviet block LDS women and I would suspect, European women from countries who have stronger health education instruction, access to birth control, etc. Chip’s interpretation of LDS policy on abortion is terrifying. Everyone- your daughters the gospel and the actual CHI.” Mar 30, 21:39
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: ““Most do not seem to be aware of the Church’s unequivocal opposition to elective abortion.” That is amazing. But I see the same thing happening with other issues, too. Maybe it’s time for a retrenchment.” Mar 30, 21:37
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “I volunteer every week with Pro-Life Utah, offering free sonograms, financial support, and many other services to women going into Planned Parenthood in SLC. We frequently meet more-or-less active LDS women from youth to middle age, from single to married to divorced, with or without children, who have decided to abort their child because of whatever personal or social crisis they are facing at the time. Most do not seem to be aware of the Church’s unequivocal opposition to elective abortion. Elder Andersen’s recent talk explicitly stated that this is a moral issue, not a political one, and that we should be teaching about this topic in Relief Society and Elders Quorum meetings.” Mar 30, 10:15
- on CFM 4/6-4/12: Poetry for “Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt”: ““But, I do hope that God has some influence over us — that His persuasion can help us “soften” our hearts to become more charitable.” I have the same hope–and I think the book of Mormon gives us a good example of how the Lord’s influence can soften our hearts. 1 Nephi 2: 16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.” Mar 30, 08:06
