Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issues statement on political neutrality, civil discourse, abortion
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Aubree B. Jennings, ABC4
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In a statement released on Tuesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints restated its policy of political neutrality while adding that its stance on abortion has not changed.
The statement first reiterated its “institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates” saying that it “does not endorse, promote or oppose political parties and their platforms or candidates for political office.”
The church’s newsroom previously explained what the organization means by political neutrality, saying the church does not “seek to elect government officials, support or oppose political parties, or, generally, take sides in global conflicts.”
While the statement said the church stays “neutral in matters of politics,” it added that it “reserves the right to address issues it believes have significant moral consequences or that directly affect the mission, teachings or operations of the Church.”
In Tuesday’s statement, the church also referred to abortion initiatives on several state ballots and confirmed that its stance on abortion has not changed. It said members “may appropriately choose to participate in efforts to protect life and to preserve religious liberty.”
The church’s long-standing policy on abortion directs members not to receive or encourage an abortion except in cases of rape and incest, the mother’s life being in jeopardy, and a doctor determining a fetus will not live past birth.
“Even these exceptions do not automatically justify abortion,” the church’s abortion policy says. “Abortion is a most serious matter. It should be considered only after the persons responsible have received confirmation through prayer.”
The church also included a paragraph in Tuesday’s statement, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote and act with “Christlike love and civility in political discourse,” referring back to a statement released the week after the Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol in 2021.
Read the full statement on Church Newsroom.