The Planned Parenthood scandal has really gotten under my skin. I have tried to not comment on it, or engage with others who are commenting and posting about it, either. When I have heard or seen the undercover video clips, I have become physically ill, to the point of wanting to vomit, and I feel my spirit sorrowing in a way I cannot describe in words, and have only felt when we lost our two babies. The Spirit has been telling me too, time and time again, “Do not click that link. Do not read that story.”

Tonight however, a friend shared an article to her Facebook timeline, which then showed up on my newsfeed — I made the mistake of clicking thru to the article. I’m not going to link to it, but the author claimed to be a temple recommend holding, worthy member of the Church, who supports Planned Parenthood — she doubled down on her thesis a few times; by the end her tone was angry and judgmental of those who sustain the Church’s beliefs on abortion. Her arguments were also weak, and easily corrected with scripture and the words of the prophets as well, but I felt like it was no use trying to share them, as she was committed to her position. And really, why would she care what I, a total stranger, had to say? It does no good to argue with strangers online either.

In the end, the principle of “Thou shalt not kill,” transcends religious creeds, boundaries and the excuses societies parade as truths. I am struggling with why people, especially, Mormons are not getting that. Thou shalt not kill, or do anything like unto it (Doctrine & Covenants 59: 6).

A friend, who understands my sensitivities on this subject sent me a passage from an article titled, “Weightier Matters,” written for the January 2001 Ensign by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Elder Oaks writes,

“The slogan or sound bite “pro-choice” has had an almost magical effect in justifying abortion and in neutralizing opposition to it.

Pro-choice slogans have been particularly seductive to Latter-day Saints because we know that moral agency, which can be described as the power of choice, is a fundamental necessity in the gospel plan. All Latter-day Saints are pro-choice according to that theological definition. But being pro-choice on the need for moral agency does not end the matter for us. Choice is a method, not the ultimate goal. We are accountable for our choices, and only righteous choices will move us toward our eternal goals. Continue reading →