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G R Kane - A lot of talk lately about abortion. I really wonder about that as a sin. What do you think is going to happen to all these women who have abortions when they meet the Savior? It can't be well received, can it?
JOEL - The current position the Church has on abortion:
"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:
1. Pregnancy resulted from forcible rape or incest.
2. A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy.
3. 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 automatically justify abortion. Abortion is a most serious matter. It should be considered only after the persons responsible have received confirmation through prayer. Members may counsel with their bishops as part of this process.
Presiding officers carefully review the circumstances if a Church member has been involved in an abortion. A membership council may be necessary if a member submits to, performs, arranges for, pays for, consents to, or encourages an abortion. However, a membership council should not be considered if a member was involved in an abortion before baptism. Nor should membership councils or restrictions be considered for members who were involved in an abortion for any of the three reasons outlined earlier in this section.
Bishops refer questions on specific cases to the stake president. The stake president may direct questions to the Office of the First Presidency if necessary.
As far as has been revealed, a person may repent and be forgiven for the sin of abortion."
So it would be a sin to have an abortion for personal or social convenience, but apparently a sin for which one can repent for and therefore would not be considered the unforgivable act of murder.For the other 3 reasons it would not be considered a sin.
For the unacceptable reasons only God Himself can pass judgement on such individuals because only He will know what is in their hearts. Of course the Savior will already know what they have done before they stand before Him and whether or not they have repented for it.He will be as merciful as possible but just.
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