The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, has a specific stance on abortion.
According to the official teachings of the LDS Church, human life is a sacred gift from God, and the act of abortion is seen as a serious matter. As stated in their official “Handbook 2: Administering the Church,” the Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience.
However, the LDS Church does acknowledge situations where an abortion could be considered, but it must be a decision made after thoughtful and prayerful consideration by the individuals involved, in consultation with their bishop and under confirmation through prayer. These situations may include:
- Pregnancy resulting from rape or incest: The trauma caused by rape or incest may be cause for an abortion.
- A threat to the life of the woman: When the life of the mother is in serious danger, an abortion may be performed.
- The fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth: If a fetus has severe malformations that will not let the baby live beyond birth, parents may decide to terminate the pregnancy.
It’s important to note that even in these circumstances, the LDS Church does not mandate or endorse abortion. The decision is left to the individuals involved, who are encouraged to counsel with their local church leaders and pray for divine guidance.
Despite this official stance, like in any religious group, individual members of the LDS Church may have personal beliefs that vary from the official doctrine due to personal, cultural, or regional differences.