Defending the Sanctity of Human Life

"We affirm the sanctity of life and its importance in God's eternal plan," -Cynthia L. Hallen

The chapter that I read this week in Successful Marriages and Families was titled "Defending the Sanctity of Human Life." The phrase "sanctity of life" is used by people who have concerns about life-related issues such as abortion on demand, birth control, capital punishment, and euthanasia.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints declares the sanctity of human life, stating, "we deplore the practice of partial-birth abortion which destroys innocent life, and we condemn and oppose it as one of the most revolting and sinful practices of our day."

What is life? Why is life sacred? Why is life important in God's eternal plan? Life can be defined as a condition of sustained regenerative activity, energy, expression, or power that human beings and other animate creatures experience. One of the earliest meanings of the word "sacred" has to do with the consecration of the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament. Life is sacred because Jesus Christ is the ultimate source or fountain of life through His work in the Creation and through His sacrifice in the Atonement. Human life is sacred because human bodies are temples, and all flesh is in the Lord's hands.

The Proclamation states, "we call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family." The reading explains that church members have the right to speak out on moral issues such as abortion and to support public policy that coincides with moral beliefs.

I challenge all of you to speak up for what you believe in and be advocated of Christ!