Abortion

One of the controversial issues of the day centers around the practice of abortion. President Spencer W. Kimball said,

Abortion, the taking of life, is one of the most grievous of sins. We have repeatedly affirmed the position of the Church in unalterably opposing all abortions, except in two rare instances: When conception is the result of forcible rape and when competent medical counsel indicates that a mother’s health would otherwise be seriously jeopardized.

Spencer W. Kimball, "A Report and a Challenge," Ensign, November 1976, p.4

The Church maintains this stance thirty years later. Even when one of the rare extenuating circumstances arises the Church counsels women that abortion is still a gravely serious matter which should be considered only after having consulted with local church leaders and after fervently praying to know if the decision is correct.

Adoption is universally recommended in normal cases where the biological parents are unable to provide for the needs of an unborn child.