- Chip Whitmer 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
- on What Was Revealed to You In Church (Or What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday), 3/29)?: “Here are a few of the things I thought about because of attending Church meetings yesterday (3/29): Another of the speakers yesterday spoke to the children in the congregation, which I think is a good technique because it tends to break down any barriers the adults, and simplifies what is said. Essentially the speaker is translating what they want to say to language that is easily understood by children. Of course, I don’t think this is easy or any kind of universal solution to talks. Like with any translation, in the process of simplifying topics things are lost, and things are gained. Still this is a necessary process, and it works for adults as well, if its done properly. The story that the speaker told was about Jesus raising Lazarus, and the speaker noted that raising Lazarus cost Jesus something, because it led to local leaders wanting to kill him. I think this is probably true for most things that happen. What do our good deeds cost us? What is the cost to God of the blessings he gives us? During the performance of the choir, I noticed one person filming the choir on a cell phone. And I remember seeing others do the same thing in the past (esp. during the primary program). I doubt the person knew that the Handbook says we shouldn’t film in sacrament meeting, and because it was the choir (and not the sacrament or an ordinance) I’m not sure that its a real problem. In the end, aside from signing ability, is listening to a ward choir later significantly different from listening to a recording of the Tabernacle Choir? Later, for a closing prayer, a new member read a prayer from a cell phone instead of speaking extemporaneously. I later learned that the member didn’t speak English well, so I surmise this was their work around. Unlike many other Christian groups, we have an assumption that prayers are extemporaneous. But I don’t think there’s a rule about it. I wonder if reading pre-written prayers will ever become a practice among Church members. ” Mar 29, 20:00
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “Much of Stephen’s research is about how and to what extent Church members believe and live the teachings of the Church. I imagine his work on Catholics is similar. His recent posts on masturbation and abortion are just part of that research agenda. It’s not the only thing a demographer of religion can study, but it’s certainly an obvious thing. I don’t find these posts creepy, but then one project I support is analyzing data from a menstrual cycle tracking app, so take that judgement for what it’s worth. Also, Stephen didn’t collect the data so he didn’t get to choose the sample size or the wording, and he was clear about the resulting limitations of his analysis. You analyze the data you have, not the data you wish you had.” Mar 28, 23:47
- on Masturbation Frequency Among Members: “REC911 So you’re suggesting that it should be seen as a smaller sin? Do I hear that right? Just basically “This is something that’s bad, but it’s not disqualifying”? Is that what you’re suggesting?” Mar 27, 22:18
- on How Many Latter-day Saints Have Ever Had An Elective Abortion? How Did They Feel About It?: “My wife had an embryo that didn’t develop and was essentially empty. The doctors recommended removing it rather than waiting for her body to reject it for possible complications. Would you call that an elective abortion? A better question to get at what really needs to be known is, how many LDS have had elective abortions of viable pregnancies. The fact that this wasn’t considered suggests severe oversight or bias in wanting to conflate the two.” Mar 27, 18:22
