LIFE! It is Love!

Elder Anderson

Written by April T Giauque

Life!

As Elder Anderson stood to speak, I felt that I should pay attention to his words, that this was one “for the WORLD.” There are times at the conference when I think the apostles are answering my specific questions and the Spirit confirming it, and then there are times when they stand and speak, and I know that this is a message for the world. Elder Anderson hit this one out of the park!  We are to stand for the unborn–They are God’s children! 

The Sanctity of Life: 

Elder Anderson boldly shares that the sanctity of life is a moral law from the Lord. He teaches that one should choose the continuation of life once a child is conceived and that nurturing and protecting life is not a political position but a moral law confirmed by the Lord through His prophets. Life is a precious part of God's plan and should be cherished and preserved. Elder Anderson states, "the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed," affirming "the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan."

The World has taught despair

When a single woman discovers that she is expecting an unanticipated child, health concerns, spiritual turmoil, embarrassment, financial worries, educational questions, marriage uncertainty, and the sadness of shattered dreams can, in a moment of pain and bewilderment, lead a thoughtful woman to take steps that will bring deep pain and regret.

Forgiveness and Healing

“For any listeners who have experienced the deep pain and regret from having or participating in an abortion, please remember: Although we cannot change the past, God can heal the past. Forgiveness can come through the miracle of His atoning grace as you turn to Him with a humble and repentant heart.”

Life and Choice

“Two words are often attached to the sanctity of mortal birth: life and choice. Life is a most precious part of our Father’s perfect plan, and by His decree, we cherish and preserve life, and we choose the continuation of life once conceived. 

We also treasure the gift of choice, of moral agency—helping to strengthen righteous choices approved by God that bring eternal happiness.”

Apostles have taught:

President Dallin H. Oaks said: “Our attitude toward abortion is not based on revealed knowledge of when mortal life begins. … It is fixed by our knowledge that … all of the spirit children of God must come to this earth for a glorious purpose, and that individual identity began long before conception and will continue for all the eternities to come.”

Nurturing and protecting life:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life…The First Presidency continues: “Abortion is a most serious matter.“We … declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

“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.”

Nurturing and protecting life that is yet unborn is not a political position. It is a moral law confirmed by the Lord through His prophets.

Elder Anderson shared that the ward should embrace, love, and support single mothers with unanticipated pregnancies and their families. A supportive ward can be the family that everyone needs, especially a young woman in such a situation. Elder Anderson also mentions providing spiritual, emotional, and financial support to help them feel the Savior's love and how ministering with loving kindness to individuals would be first in our minds and hearts. Elder Anderson contrasts the world's message of despair with the hope and support that can be offered through faith and community.

Care for the unborn

“The youth of the Church are hungry for things of the Spirit; they are eager to learn the gospel, and they want it straight, undiluted. They want to know about … our beliefs; they want to gain testimonies of [the] truth. They are … inquirers, seekers after truth.” 

Let us speak more often with faith and compassion to our youth in our homes, and with each other in our Relief Society and elders quorum meetings, about the Lord’s law of chastity, the sanctity of life, and the care of the unborn and their mothers.

Three personal stories:

Story #1

“As a 17-year-old … , I found myself pregnant with little to no support from my boyfriend. I felt ashamed and alone, but I] never considered an abortion. … I [had] my loving family and my bishop, with whom I met regularly for guidance. … I turned to God. I studied the scriptures … and prayed [and] found strength through my Savior and the repentance process. … I received an answer [to my prayers] that I could not deny. … It was heartbreaking, but I knew I would be placing my daughter for adoption. …

A loving couple adopted the precious baby girl and taught her the gospel. She is now married with a beautiful family of her own.

Story #2

10 weeks pregnant we found out that our miracle baby has the genetic condition of trisomy 21, commonly known as Down syndrome. We felt the pressure … from the medical field to consider termination. A few weeks later, we discovered … our unborn child … would require multiple heart surgeries in her first year of life. Throughout this process, as we prayed fervently for divine help, … we have felt the Spirit give us comfort. We received revelation and understanding that our daughter is an elite child of Heavenly Father and has an immense desire to be in our family and to come to earth.”

Story #3

Married couple with three children. The husband has an affair. The single woman is now pregnant. A single woman wants to abort. The wife shares with her husband that she will raise the child, so please convince the single woman not to abort.  The wife asks him to allow her to adopt the baby as their own. The wife was able to do all of that by seeking Jesus Christ’s atonement and raising the child. She found strength through Jesus Christ, and she believed in the sacredness of life, the holiness of life. She knew the unborn child was a child of God, innocent and pure.

Love is at the heart of life:

My dear brothers and sisters, the diminishing love for unborn children worldwide is a grave concern. God cherishes life. It is His work and His glory to bring immortality and eternal life to His children.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cherish life. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

May we share our love even more abundantly with those who need us so desperately. I express my love for you and our Heavenly Father’s love for His children coming to earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.