Abortion

In my last blog post, I spoke about the miracle of adoption.  In this blog post, I will speak about the tragedy of abortion.

As I've mentioned before, I was a virgin on my wedding night.  Years before that night, I made a decision that greatly affected my future.  The decision was made before I ever nervously ventured out on my first date.  During my early teen years, I watched someone very close to me make choices that caused her pain.  She had not made the decision to remain sexually pure until marriage, and it had brought unbelievable heartache and difficulties into her life.  Although she didn't realize it at the time, she was setting a great example for me . . . about what NOT to do.  I vowed to wait until marriage before having sex, even though I knew I would be tempted to break my promise.  Because of my decision, I never had a moment where I feared an unwanted pregnancy.  I never felt crushed by a boy who had used and discarded me.  I never felt the shame of wondering if I would be accepted by a boy after he found out about my past.  I had made my choice and I stuck to it.

If there is one thing that frustrates me to no end, it is the phrase "pro-choice."  This word is thrown around as a defense for a woman's right to an abortion.  Pro-choice advocates say women have a right to make choices for their body.  When I hear this argument, I want to scream, "EXACTLY!"  Every woman has a right to make choices for her body, but women who are surprised by an unwanted pregnancy ALREADY MADE THEIR CHOICE.  Just like I made the deliberate choice to refrain from sex until marriage, many women make the choice to engage in sexual activity when they are not prepared to become mothers.  I completely respect their decision, but I agree with Stephen R. Covey's statement: "While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.”  Besides situations where a rape was involved, a woman who engages in sexual activity has already made her choice long before she took a pregnancy test.  Once a child has begun to develop inside her, she is dealing with the consequence of the choice she made.

What is the Mormon Church's stance on abortion?

On the subject of abortion the Church has taken a very clear stand.   "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.

The Church teaches its members that even these rare exceptions do not justify abortion automatically. Abortion is a most serious matter and should be considered only after the persons involved have consulted with their local church leaders and feel through personal prayer that their decision is correct."

Numerous apostles and prophets have spoken out about the act of aborting unwanted pregnancies.  President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “We oppose and abhor the damnable practice of wholesale abortion and every other unholy and impure act which strikes at the very foundation of the home and family, and our most basic institutions.”

This visual literally makes me feel ill.  I applaud any unwed woman who is unselfish enough to endure the judgement of others while experiencing the challenges of pregnancy.  I don't claim to understand how difficult those 9 months will be, but I wish I could embrace each one of those girls and tell them I admire their braveness.

If I've had an abortion, can I ever be forgiven?

I'm having a hard time answering this question without tears falling all over my laptop.  Yes, yes, yes!  Abortion is a very serious sin, but hope is never lost!

President Spencer W. Kimball has correctly said, “Abortion, the taking of life, is one of the most grievous of sins.” But now listen to the comfort President Russell M. Nelson offers to those who seek repentance from participating in an abortion. He lovingly states, “Is there any hope for the person who has participated in the act of abortion? Is there any hope for those who have so sinned and who now suffer heartbreak? The answer is yes!  As far as has been revealed, a person may repent and be forgiven for the sin of abortion. We know the Lord will help all who are truly repentant.”

Jesus Christ LOVES you.  There is no pain, disappointed or embarrassment we experience in this life that Christ has not already felt.  When you feel no one else understands, HE DOES.