| Question |
Just a quick question on what your belief is about the potential babies that
women who have joined the church had aborted prior to their conversion. If
the abortion was allowable by LDS standards, such as a pregnancy as the
result of a rape, and did not prevent the woman from being baptised or
endowed, what is the status of the baby regarding sealing? Do you believe the
woman may ever meet her child?
I have checked all around and have not been
able to find any official LDS statement on this particular topic. I know what
I personally believe, but I'd like your thoughts on this as well.
|
| Response |
In it, you asked about our belief concerning the potential babies that women have aborted before they joined the LDS
Church. Our belief is that the spirits who were to have inhabited the bodies that were aborted will be sent to other faithful women, where they will have
the opportunity to be born properly. They will have the same opportunities for growth and progression that we all do.
You asked about the LDS Church’s position on abortion in cases of a pregnancy resulting from rape. While it is true that the Church does not condone
abortion, in the dreadful situation of pregnancy caused by rape, the Church does not condemn or judge the woman for her private decision, considering
the extremely emotional situation involved. The Church allows the woman to make the decision based on her own needs and faith. But I do repeat that
the Church does not condone it.
You asked if a woman who had aborted a baby under that situation of pregnancy by rape would be prevented from being baptized or endowed, and what
would be the status of the baby regarding sealing? Because of everything as stated above, the woman has committed no sin. Consequently, she is
permitted baptism, endowment, and temple marriage. The baby will not be sealed to that woman, but its spirit will be provided the opportunity to be sent
to another family and to be born under proper circumstances.
You wanted to know if I believed the woman would ever meet the child. The answer is I really don’t know but I strongly doubt it. I hope this is helpful to
you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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