Mormonism and politics

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Mormonism and politics

Social issues

Abortion

Summary: What is the Church's stance on abortion? Is abortion murder? Members of the Church regard families as the foundation of heaven. Bearing children is thus a source of joy and great responsibility. Prophets of God have taught that abortion is a grave sin, save where the health of the mother is endangered, or where the pregnancy is the product of rape or incest. Even in these exceptional cases, members should seek an abortion only after counseling with the Lord

California Proposition 8

Summary: The passage of California Proposition 8 during the November 2008 election has generated a number of criticisms of the Church regarding a variety of issues including the separation of church and state, the Church's position relative to people who experience same-sex attraction, accusations of bigotry by members, and the rights of a non-profit organization to participate in the democratic process on matters not associated with elections of candidates.

Equal Rights Amendment

Summary: Critics assume that because the Church opposed the proposed "Equal Rights" Amendment, that the Church opposed equal rights for women. In fact, the Church did not oppose equal rights for women, but rather was opposed to other potential consequences of the ERA. Church leaders felt that the ERA would have a negative impact on women's rights and families. Furthermore, the Church felt that the Constitution already prohibited sex discrimination and that an amendment was unnecessary.

Church's approach toward politics

Church involvement

Summary: Why does the Church speak out on political matters? Church leaders encourage members to be active in politics and to exercise their right to vote. The Church does not, however, specify how members should vote or which political party they ought to belong to. Occasionally, however, the First Presidency issues a letter which is read over the pulpit urging members to act upon some political matter.