| Question |
You said that when we die we will be united for eternity with our families, that is, parents with their children. But since all of us of course where at one time children in our parents' homes and our parents were once children in their parents' homes - how exactly does that work ? - because if our present day immediate family unit is the one which will be united forever, than what does that mean for the prior generations immediate family unit that was once together? Because, for example, if you are united with your wife in the afterlife, then what about the unity of your wife and her parents and so on? I don't know if I am explaining this question very well but it is very confusing to me. Where does the Mormon Church stand on such issues as abortion in general and in the case of rape and incest, and the death penalty?
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| Response |
Your first question dealt with how it would be possible for us to actually be together with our families through eternity, since not only are we sealed to our parents and they to their parents, but we are also sealed to our children, and they to their spouses and their children.
The scriptures clarify for us that "the same sociality that exists among us here will exist among us in the Celestial Kingdom, only it will be coupled with eternal glory." The sociality that we enjoy here is that, my wife and I live in our home in Utah, our parents live nearby, as do her parents. When our children marry, some may live close by, and others may live in neighboring states, but because of our relationship we get together frequently and we have a common bond and common mingling. It will be the same in the Celestial Kingdom. In the final analysis,
husbands and wives sealed together are the eternal unit, which will literally "live" in the same house, but if all of our extended families have lived righteously we will have available contact with them as we please, whereas those who not do obtain the Celestial Kingdom will not have that same "sociality" and contact.
Your second question dealt with the Mormon Church’s stand with such issues as abortion in general and the case of rape or incest and the death penalty.
The church’s stand in the case of rape or incest is that an abortion is permissible if that is the wish of the mother.
Regarding the death penalty, the Church approves the death penalty, simply because it allows the individual who has taken another person’s life to pay the ultimate in restitution for the sin committed.
I hope that this is helpful information for you.
Another question arose as a result of this one:
Dear Donny:
I don't think you completely answered the question on abortion. You say that the Mormon belief is that it is okay for a women to choose abortion if she becomes pregnant from rape or
incest, but what if she becomes pregnant our of wedlock. If she doesn't want to have the child is it okay for her to have an abortion?
To clarify, we are specifically and absolutely against abortion, except in the extreme and traumatic situation of incest or rape. Because of that particularly
terrible situation, and the emotional devastation of it, the Church will allow the woman to make her own decision on abortion without fear of religious
condemnation or judgment. The Church definitely does not condone abortion, but considers the needs and the faith of the individual. In such a particularly
sensitive and uncommon situation in which pregnancy might occur due to rape or incest, it leaves the decision solely, and without comment, to the private
needs of the individual.
In the second part of your question, you asked, what if a woman became pregnant out of wedlock? Our position is just as you have read it.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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