Question
Gramps,
If what the LDS Church teaches is true and the members really believe it, then why is there such a lukewarm response by the church and its members to both abortion and homosexuality? Abortion denies spirit brothers/sisters the opportunity of living mortal lives and homosexuality hinders the procreation of human bodies of spirits waiting on bodies. These two things seem to me to be two of the greatest tools of Satan to hinder the Kingdom of God.
Anonymous
Answer
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your question. Perhaps a quick observation and then I’ll follow up with some specific thoughts related to your question.
I’m going to ‘assume’ by your choice of words that you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Non-members often tend to say things like, “the LDS Church”… “and its members”. I’ll note that Ask Gramps welcomes all questions whether they originate from a member of the Church or not. So again, thank you for your question. I mention this non-member observation simply because, at times, outsiders may only peek through a single pane in our window and prematurely judge us without trying to see the full picture. I commend you for inquiring further to expand your field of vision.
Your choice in words, “then why is there such a lukewarm response by the church” appears to herald from Revelations 3:15-16
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
As presented in this scripture, if an individual is or acts in a lukewarm gospel manner, they are essentially undesirable before the Lord. Lukewarm is closer to the middle ground between hot and cold. Lukewarm has often been compared to being a fence sitter, or safely sitting in the middle, not choosing or fighting for a single side. I’m sorry that you feel as a church we are not ‘hot’ enough for your liking when it comes to our position regarding abortion and homosexuality.
Ultimately, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but fortunately it is the opinion of the Lord in the end which matters most. It is our belief that the Savior is the actual head of his Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe that he literally guides and directs his church. We believe that through his prophets he guides the policies, doctrine and tone of his Church. The current official actions or inaction of the Church ultimately stem from the will of the Lord.
As you observe who we officially are, as it relates to abortion or homosexuality, you are actually seeing the cold, hot or lukewarm stance of the Savior at this time. Lets briefly talk about Abortion for the moment. The Church shares the following in, The Family: A Proclamation to the World:
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny… We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Then Handbook 2, an official handbook for the Church we read:
Abortion
The Lord commanded, “Thou shalt not … kill, nor do anything like unto it” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:6). The Church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience. Members must not submit to, perform, arrange for, pay for, consent to, or encourage an abortion. The only possible exceptions are when:
- Pregnancy resulted from forcible rape or incest.
- A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy.
- 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 justify abortion automatically. Abortion is a most serious matter and should be considered only after the persons responsible have consulted with their bishops and received divine confirmation through prayer.
Church members who submit to, perform, arrange for, pay for, consent to, or encourage an abortion may be subject to Church discipline.
As far as has been revealed, a person may repent and be forgiven for the sin of abortion.
As a faithful member of the Church, the above guidelines are not only abundantly clear, but nothing about them strikes me as lukewarm. The Lord has given us his position and we should do our best to follow it. If someone feels the above position is too ‘lukewarm’ for their liking, then that is a question they are welcome to take up with the Lord.
Trying to push the mark even hotter or further than the Lord directs is not only unnecessary, it is not in harmony with the gospel.
I would like to point out some notable items that were not found in the above abortion guidance:
1. The need to permanently shame, shun or outcast individuals involved with abortions
2. The need to threaten or inflict emotional or physical harm upon those who perform abortions
3. The need to destroy property belonging to those who perform abortions
etc.
Again, I would not advise that individuals try seeing past the mark that the Lord has established. Instead, hopefully what observers see as they look through the window at the Church, are clearly defined expectations that allow individuals to successfully follow God while both maintaining high standards and expressing love for their fellow man.
Thank you again for your question.
Gramps
