The young woman lay in fetal position in the hospital bed sobbing uncontrollably. Her mother was by her bedside offering 'reassuring' words. "It's over now, it is all over. It will be okay." Yes, it was over for the life that was growing inside the young woman's body. Today this young woman (who chose abortion) would probably be in her early 50's. I wonder if it has ever been over for her. That is a decision she made, with the support of her mother. That is a decision she will have to live with. (Perhaps I should interject here that when this event took place I had great sympathy for the young girl and absolutely none for her mother.) Personally, I am anti abortion. I am opposed to legalizing abortion. There are other options. Choose to marry, choose to be a single parent, or choose to place the child for adoption. If one is responsible enough to choose to have sexual relations one should be responsible enough to choose life for the unborn. As for the one who is pregnant due to rape or incest my heart aches for them. Truly it does. But can two wrongs make a right? Once again I am pro life. Adoption. A beautiful word. Even though I choose pro life and anti abortion I also choose not to condemn or judge those who make choices unlike my own.
With this post you may think I belong to the wrong party, but I assure you I do not! Call me a conservative Democrat, but never call me a Republican!
With this post you may think I belong to the wrong party, but I assure you I do not! Call me a conservative Democrat, but never call me a Republican!
(I’ll try the best I can to replicate with fidelity the spirit of what I wrote yesterday. I’ll do it in Word, then copy it into your blog so as not to accidently lose it).
ReplyDeleteClaudia, rest assured that someone’s position on just one issue doesn’t make them a Democrat or a Republican in my book either.
Several years ago somebody helped me clarify in my mind whether I am pro-life or pro-choice. He asked me if I believed there were cases where abortion was justified. I said yes, that I believe in the Church’s position that it would be justified in cases of rape, incest, health of the mother, and severe deformation of the fetus. And all of this after prayer consideration by the principals involved--mother, father, doctor, etc. [See Elder (and M.D.) Russell M. Nelson’s general conference statements on the subject. And, in addition, I felt the Spirit witness to the truth of his words when they were originally spoken]. And in line with Gospel teachings because I nonetheless believe firmly in the sanctity of life, I do not believe abortion for convenience is justified (Today, “emotional stress” can be played into “detrimental to the well-being of the mother”). My friend then told me that, according to today’s societal definitions, I am pro-choice. He was correct according to those definitions, but luckily I do not let society pigeonhole me according to their standards.
Several years ago, a member of my family had an abortion—out of convenience. I was deeply saddened by this action but didn’t know about it until it was fait accompli. I, too, would have advised for adoption or some other better choice.
Despite the profound seriousness of the sin of casual illicit sex which could result in a horrendous casual termination of pregnancy, there is mercifully a way back into Heavenly Father’s full graces and blessings. This family member crawled, cried, and trod her way back with the promise that though her sin be as crimson, it could become white as snow. In ways only she will know, she obtained forgiveness as well as probably a long-term deal with the Savior. She has since gotten married, became endowed in the temple, and then was sealed to her husband and children. I’m sure no one could argue but that she’s on the right path.
So here is your Republican (center), LDS, “pro-choice” (actually very “pro-life” with conditions) friend. Actually anybody can call me whatever they want—Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, or whatever—as long as I know where my long-term values stand, the labels won’t matter.
While I respect your views on abortion my dear wife, I am more in line with Chris -- probably just a some left of his position. Unfortunately I have seen far too many uncared for children in this world -- that were born out of wedlock.
ReplyDeleteWhile adoption is a wonderful solution (how very well we know that), most will not choose it and I feel so very very sorry for the poor children born into some situations. That said, I certainly do not know that those of whom I speak would have chosen abortion, but it should have been an option. Just my opinion, I know. Please don't throw me out out in the snow.
Love, Scott
Okay as for my rebuttal. Health of a mother. As a mother I would have had to have gone forward with faith and allowed the child to have a chance at mortal existence. I had one he/she deserves one. Yes, you say that is easy for me to say since I was not faced with that decision. But trust me some decisions can be made in advance. Deformed fetus. As a mother I would have once again gone forward with faith and let nature take its course. Rape, incest my heart goes out to the victim and the choice is one they have to make. As far as the uncared for children. We see them on a daily basis in the school system and all I can say is in the great plan of happiness mortality is a needed gift for all mankind, no matter how difficult that mortal existence may be. I believe a kind and loving Heavenly Father is forever watchful and aware of all His children and in the world to come it will all work out according to His plan. For now I will put my trust in Him and show kindness to not only the uncared for children, but also to their parents. And, no I won't throw you out in the snow. My heck we do not even have any for that to be an option! Claudia
ReplyDeleteGreat comment thread! I loved Chris's comments (just wish he identified as a Democrat, ha ha). I remember teaching people the gospel in Malaysia. One couple in particular had three children, but aborted the fourth that came along. Remember, this wasn't a child conceived out of wedlock. I can't imagine the difficulty of their decision, but I am certain they made the choice they did based on the love they had for their family. They were dirt poor, and if their three small children had any hope of rising above those circumstances they could not bring another life into the world. They were too poor for contraception, and definitely too poor for a legal and safe abortion.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings me to my opinion on the matter . . . making abortion illegal will not erase it's existence. Only education and a rise above poverty can.
I'd also note, when it came time for the above mentioned couple to join the Church, the "repentance" period for this deed was surprisingly short. I am convinced God does not see abortion as equivalent to murder, as I'm certain a murderer would have to take many more steps of repentance before making any lasting covenants to Him.