LDS leaders urge Idaho members to oppose abortion ballot measure

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a directive to the 1,300 Idaho congregations, asking members to speak out against the Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act during worship services for the next two Sundays. The letter, signed by Elders José A. Teixeira, Ricardo P. Giménez, Karl Hirst and James Fantone, emphasized respectful, Christlike discourse while reaffirming the church’s opposition to elective abortion.

The ballot initiative, slated for the November 3 vote, would amend state law to guarantee a right to abortion, joining a dozen other states that have done so since the Supreme Court’s decision. The church’s position mirrors actions by other religious groups, such as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, which has held special pro-life masses and called the measure “radically pro-abortion.” The church maintains a policy of political neutrality in candidate races but reserves the right to weigh in on moral issues like abortion.