The following is a document prepared by James O. Mason, then-Church Commissioner of Health, “Attitudes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Toward Certain Medical Problems” (3 June 1974). It is 19 short statements which were submitted to the First Presidency for approval, and was reproduced in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, volume 12 no. 3 (Fall 1979):97-100
Attitudes of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints Toward Certain Medical Problems
Abortion
The Church opposes abortion and
counsels its members not to submit to, perform, nor abet an abortion except in
the rare cases where, in the opinion of competent medical counsel, the life or
good health of the mother is seriously in danger or where the pregnancy was
caused by rape and produces serious emotional trauma in the mother. Even then
it should be done only after consulting with the local presiding priesthood
authority and after receiving divine confirmation through prayer.
Artificial Insemination
The Church does not approve of
artificial insemination with other than the semen of the husband. Artificial
insemination with semen other than from the husband may produce problems
related to family harmony. The Church recognizes that this is a personal matter
which must ultimately be left to the determination of the husband and wife with
the responsibility for their decision resting solely upon them.
Birth Control
The Lord's command imposed upon
all Latter-day Saints is to "multiply and replenish the earth." Where
husband and wife enjoy health and vigor and are free from inheritable defects
that would be entailed upon their posterity, it is contrary to the teachings of
the Church artificially to curtail or prevent the birth of children. We believe
that those who practice birth control will reap disappointment by and by. The
Church feels that husbands must be considerate of their wives who bear the
greater responsibility not only of bearing children, but of caring for them
throughout childhood. To this end the mother's health and strength should be
conserved and the husband's consideration for his wife is his first duty, and
self-control should be a dominant factor in all of their relationships.
Dissection and Autopsies
The Church does not object to the
performance of autopsies upon deceased persons, providing that the applicable
laws governing autopsies are complied with and that the loved ones of the
deceased give their consent.
Prolongation of Life and Right to
Die
The Church does not look with
favor upon any form of mercy killing. It believes in the dignity of life and
that faith in the Lord and medical science should be appropriately called upon
and applied to reverse conditions that are a threat to life. There comes a time
when dying becomes inevitable; when it should be looked upon as a blessing, and
a purposeful part of mortality.
Organ Transplants
The question of whether one
should will his bodily organs to be used as transplants or for research after
death must be answered from deep within the conscience of the individual
involved. Those who seek counsel from the Church on this subject are encouraged
to review the advantages and disadvantages of doing so, to implore the Lord for
inspiration and guidance, and then to take the course of action which would
give them a feeling of peace and comfort.
Religion and Healing Process
("Faith Healing")
The Church believes in the same
manifestations of the Spirit, including healing, that existed in the Church
organized by the Savior during His earthly ministry. Through Latter-day
revelation the Lord has directed:
". . . And the elders of the
Church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands
upon them (the sick) in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if
they live they shall live unto me.”
Sunday (Sabbath) Observance
The Church accepts the
commandment given by the Lord that men are to rest from all temporal work and
to worship the Lord one day each week. Sunday is the day set aside by the
Church to observe the Sabbath. Rest on this day, though important, is
incidental to the true purpose of the Sabbath which is to worship, to learn
more about the Lord, to renew covenants with Him and to feed our souls upon the
things of the Spirit.
Dietary Laws
The Church's law pertaining to
proper diet and care of the body is contained in a revelation given to the
Prophet Joseph Smith under date of February 27, 1833. That revelation
admonishes Church members to use judgment and temperance in the use of all food
and drink. It prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages, hot drinks (interpreted
to mean tea and coffee) and tobacco. It also prohibits the use of all other
substances which may be injurious to the body or which might be said to be in
violation of the spirit of the revelation. It also encourages the sparing use
of meats but prohibits none outright. On the affirmative side, this health code
encourages the eating of all fruits and vegetables and encourages the use of
whole grain.
Sterility Tests
The Church believes that having
children is a blessing and privilege and, that with any abnormal condition, it
is appropriate to use medical science to diagnose and restore normal function.
Religious Sacrament
Within the beliefs of the Church,
the term "sacrament" refers only to the celebration of the Lord's
Supper wherein bread and water are blessed and partaken of in symbolic
remembrance of the flesh and blood of the Savior and by the way of recovenant by
the partaker to adhere to the Savior's teachings. The Church ordinance
specifically related to the sick or dying is the laying on of hands by the
elders for the healing of the sick (see Religion and Healing process).
The Church has no official
service for the burial of the fetus. What is done would depend upon the age and
size of the fetus and the attitude of the parents, after discussion with their
bishop.
Cremation
The Church has never encouraged
cremation as a method of disposing of the remains of the dead. It believes it
is proper to consign them to mother earth which has always been the custom.
Although cremation is discouraged, the local laws must be observed and the
final decision left with the family and the loved ones.
The Church regards the use of
these substances, as prescribed under medical supervision for the treatment or
prevention of disease, as wholly a medical question.
Homosexuality
The Church looks upon the
homosexual act as a physical perversion, and Church leaders are advised to
approach those who engage in this practice in the true spirit of the gospel of
love and understanding in an effort to assist them and persuade them that
repentance can bring them forgiveness from such transgressions.
Experimentation
The Church recognizes the need
for carefully conducted and controlled experimentation to substantiate the
efficacy of medicines and procedures. We believe, however, that the free agency
of the individual must be protected by informed consent and that a qualified
group of peers should review all research to ascertain that it is needed, is
appropriately designed and not harmful to the person involved.
Sterilization
The Lord's commandment imposed
upon all Latter-day Saints is to "multiply and replenish the earth."
Nevertheless there may be medical conditions related to the health of the
mother where sterilization could be justified. But such conditions, rare as
they may be, must be determined by competent medical judgment and in accordance
with laws pertaining thereto.
Blood and Blood Products
See Attitude Toward Narcotics,
Vaccines, Blood, etc.
Hypnosis
The Church regards the use of
hypnosis under competent, professional supervision for the treatment of disease
as wholly a medical question. The Church advises members against participation
in hypnosis demonstrations.
