Sometimes, shifts in doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occur in dramatic and sweeping fashion, such as when then-President Wilford Woodruff renounced the practice of polygamy in 1890.
Other times, they come in smaller, less-heralded ways for the global faith known for its beliefs in an open canon and living prophets.
So it was last week on the issue of abortion.
Included in the latest updates to the “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” a guidebook for the faith’s lay leaders, were subtle but meaningful language changes to the section on this tender and tense topic.
Together, the tweaks amount to a greater emphasis on the agency of and compassion toward impacted individuals — plus a more decisive stance on the role of forgiveness for those involved.
Revelation and repentance
The church has long held that there are circumstances in which abortion is not a sin. Those include a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, if the “life or health” of the mother is in “serious jeopardy” and those instances when a fetus is found to have “severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.”
What about those who obtain one for reasons outside these caveats?
“As far as has been revealed,” the previous version of the handbook read, “a person may repent and be forgiven for the sin of abortion.”
Gone now is that initial hesitation. The new handbook provision states “a person who seeks forgiveness with ‘godly sorrow’ and ‘full purpose of heart’ may repent and be forgiven for the sin of abortion.”
Both versions, new and old, encourage prayerful consideration on the part of those weighing abortion even for the approved reasons. The new language, however, no longer contains the requirement that “the persons responsible [receive] confirmation through prayer” before even considering the procedure.
Instead, the updated handbook encourages members to “approach a decision with prayerful deliberation.”
A greater emphasis on doctrinal underpinnings
Other language changes fall short of modifications in counsel and doctrine, instead serving to underscore the beliefs guiding church policy on the issue.
In the past, the section on abortion began, “The Lord commanded, ‘Thou shalt not … kill, nor do anything like unto it,’” a quote from the Latter-day Saint book of scripture known as the Doctrine and Covenants.
This sentence remains, but no longer serves as the opening statement. Instead, the section starts: “Human life is a sacred gift from God and central to his divine plan for the spiritual progression of his children.”
At the same time, the statement that “the church opposes elective abortion for personal or social convenience” is no more. In its stead, it reads, “Elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to God’s plan and his commandments.”
Finally, the new handbook deletes the descriptor “forcible” from “rape and incest,” a recognition that such violence is, by its very nature, an act of force.
‘Rape is always forced’
(Kristin Hodson) Social worker Kristin Hodson praises the LDS Church's new language updates to its abortion guidelines but would like to see more training on the sensitive subject for local lay leaders.
Kristin Hodson, a Utah social worker specializing in maternal mental health, sexual health and trauma, applauded the changes.
“Anytime organizations move toward individuals developing their own internal authority,” said Hodson, who has worked with countless Latter-day Saints through the years, “it’s a good move.”
She was particularly “thrilled” about the removal of the word “forcible.”
“Rape,” she said, “is always forced.”
Nevertheless, she sees room for improvement in church policy, starting with greater training for bishops (male lay leaders of congregations) who handle these delicate conversations.
New language, same stigma
(Diana Mock) Diana Mock, who had to end her pregnancy after she was diagnosed with leukemia, is shown after undergoing cancer treatment. She says the stigma surrounding those who have abortions remains in Latter-day Saint culture.
Diana Mock was still a member of the church when, about seven years ago, she discovered she had leukemia.
Two things were certain at the time. First, she needed chemotherapy as soon as possible if she was going to have any shot at survival. And second, the same treatment that might save her life would end her pregnancy, which at that time was a little more than 10 weeks along.
Mock, who has since left the faith, knew that her decision to end the pregnancy was not, per the handbook, a sin, since obtaining one was necessary for her own survival. But, as she told The Salt Lake Tribune in a 2022 interview, that fact did little to ease her conscience. Years of hearing abortion equated as “next to murder” left her “racked with guilt” at the notion of having one. Only after prayer and a priesthood blessing did she OK the procedure.
The latest handbook changes do little, she believes, to alter the stigma that those who obtain an abortion for any reason face in the church.
One exception she pointed to was this addition: “Discussions with members on this subject should always be conducted with love and respect.”
“I am glad,” she said, “to see the church encouraging that.”
Nevertheless, she — and Hodson — lamented that the section’s counsel and judgment remain on pregnant individuals, and not on those responsible for impregnating them.
Both women cited in their responses Latter-day Saint author Gabrielle Blair’s book “Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion,” which argues that 100% of unwanted pregnancies ultimately are caused by men.
“I have yet to see,” Hodson said, “language naming where an unplanned pregnancy begins.”
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