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Mormon View Life Begins - Mormon Doctrine Studies - Posted: 3rd Dec, 2006 - 4:49am
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Mormon View On When Life Begins
Life begins when...
There is no official statement about when life begins exactly in the womb. Here is a news clip about one state's stand on it. What do you think?
QUOTE Used by Permission:
From:Â The Pro-Life Infonet
Reply-To:Â Steven Ertelt
Subject:Â New Hampshire Bill Declares Life Begins at Fertilization
Source:Â Manchester Union Leader; January 30, 2003
New Hampshire Bill Declares Life Begins at Fertilization
Concord, NH -- House Bill 193, which declares that human life begins at
Fertilization, was heard yesterday by the state House Judiciary Committee.
The purpose of the bill is to recognize the unborn as having an equal
Constitutional right to life upon fertilization and to perhaps change
Hearts and minds on the issue of abortion, the committee was told by
Sponsors of the bill. Prime sponsor of the measure is Rep. Barbara J.
Hagan R-Manchester, a New Hampshire Right to Life leader.
In 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court declared that it doesnt know the exact
Point that human life begins (Roe vs. Wade), but since then medical
Studies have found that life does begin at fertilization, Hagan said. "The
Difficult question of when human life begins has been answered," The
Freshman lawmaker stated.
To back her bill, Hagan introduced Dr. Mildred Jefferson, a Massachusetts
Surgeon and national pro-life leader. She was the first black woman to
Graduate from the Harvard medical school.
Jefferson said it is now known through genetic research that life begins
At fertilization.
"No matter how many philosophical or political definitions we want to
Create around the matter in the laboratory, we know that that point is at
Fertilization," Jefferson said. Thats when genetic identity as a human
Being is formed, Jefferson told the committee.
While the bill would not change any current statute, it may have some
Bearing if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, Hagan said. In
That event, the bill would "Enable our laws to be accurate and prudent and
Protect all life," Hagan added.
There were some opposing speakers, one of them being Rep. Peter Allen,
D-Harrisville. Allen, a strong abortion advocate, said that it was known
50 years ago that a fertilized egg is alive, but its still a matter of
Semantics when human life begins.
Allen, a father of four, said that what we do have to worry about is the
Continued carrying capacity of Earth and the quality of life in the face
Of overpopulation and declining resources. "Things are finite," Allen
Said.
From:Â The Pro-Life Infonet
Reply-To:Â Steven Ertelt
Subject:Â New Hampshire Bill Declares Life Begins at Fertilization
Source:Â Manchester Union Leader; January 30, 2003
New Hampshire Bill Declares Life Begins at Fertilization
Concord, NH -- House Bill 193, which declares that human life begins at
Fertilization, was heard yesterday by the state House Judiciary Committee.
The purpose of the bill is to recognize the unborn as having an equal
Constitutional right to life upon fertilization and to perhaps change
Hearts and minds on the issue of abortion, the committee was told by
Sponsors of the bill. Prime sponsor of the measure is Rep. Barbara J.
Hagan R-Manchester, a New Hampshire Right to Life leader.
In 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court declared that it doesnt know the exact
Point that human life begins (Roe vs. Wade), but since then medical
Studies have found that life does begin at fertilization, Hagan said. "The
Difficult question of when human life begins has been answered," The
Freshman lawmaker stated.
To back her bill, Hagan introduced Dr. Mildred Jefferson, a Massachusetts
Surgeon and national pro-life leader. She was the first black woman to
Graduate from the Harvard medical school.
Jefferson said it is now known through genetic research that life begins
At fertilization.
"No matter how many philosophical or political definitions we want to
Create around the matter in the laboratory, we know that that point is at
Fertilization," Jefferson said. Thats when genetic identity as a human
Being is formed, Jefferson told the committee.
While the bill would not change any current statute, it may have some
Bearing if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, Hagan said. In
That event, the bill would "Enable our laws to be accurate and prudent and
Protect all life," Hagan added.
There were some opposing speakers, one of them being Rep. Peter Allen,
D-Harrisville. Allen, a strong abortion advocate, said that it was known
50 years ago that a fertilized egg is alive, but its still a matter of
Semantics when human life begins.
Allen, a father of four, said that what we do have to worry about is the
Continued carrying capacity of Earth and the quality of life in the face
Of overpopulation and declining resources. "Things are finite," Allen
Said.
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Begins Life When View Mormon
I believe life begins when the spirit enters the womb. Now, the question is, when does it? I believe Jospeph Smith (or some other prophet) spoke of this, but I can't find the reference.
In my opinion, if life begins at conception, then this must be when the spirit enters the womb because I don't believe there is a human life without a spirit. Science has shown that the fetus has a pulse very early on, if not immediately at conception. Certainly, by the time we can tell someone is pregnant, life has already begun. There is already a pulse, etc. So, to me, there is already life. Certainly our spirit leaves our body very shortly after our pulse stops so it makes sense that it enters our body very soon after our pulse begins.
Post Date: 27th Dec, 2003 - 9:19pm / Post ID: #
Mormon View On When Life Begins Studies Doctrine Mormon
In doing genealogy and submitting names for temple work, if the child is stillborn or in other words does not draw breath, then it is not included in the work.
So I am assuming that this is the Church's stand ~ when the infant draws breath, then the spirit is in them. To me that would make more sense in NOT having an abortion. You would be denying a choice spirit to receive a body. 
Edited: AGene on 27th Dec, 2003 - 9:20pm
Begins Life When View Mormon
I don't think the Church's position is that life begins at birth. I know Joseph actually said something about the spirit entering the body in the womb and not at birth. Also, if the spirit isn't in the body before birth then their would be nothing wrong with having an abortion. You wouldn't be denying a spirit chance at life, just at life in that particular body.
Now, we don't do work for anyone who dies under 8 years old except sealing to their parents. I do find it interesting that we don't seal stillborn children, but I suppose that could be because the spirit left the body before it was born so it never really received that physical body not that the spirit was never in it.
| QUOTE |
| It is not a question of when "meaningful life" begins or when the spirit "quickens" the body. In the biological sciences, it is known that life begins when two germ cells unite to become one cell, bringing together twenty-three chromosomes from both the father and from the mother. These chromosomes contain thousands of genes. In a marvelous process involving a combination of genetic coding by which all the basic human characteristics of the unborn person are established, a new DNA complex is formed. A continuum of growth results in a new human being. The onset of life is not a debatable issue, but a fact of science. Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
Post Date: 28th Dec, 2003 - 9:21am / Post ID: #
Begins Life When View Mormon
Did some more research. ~
In the "I Have a Question" section of the Ensign, Sept. 1987, page 27, the following question was asked, "Can we put the names of our miscarried or stillborn children on our family group records? Will these children belong to us in the hereafter?
Val D. Greenwood, manager of special services, Temple Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints answered the question, and some of that answer is quoted below.
"The first question is easily answered: Church policy does permit a family to record stillborn children on their family group record if they wish to do so. If the stillbirth takes place after the sealing of the parents, those children can be identified on the record as being born in the covenant (BIC). Miscarriages, however, are not normally recorded on family group records.
"A miscarriage is delivery of a dead fetus, before it is viable-that is, before it could have lived on its own outside the mother's womb. A stillbirth is delivery of the dead fetus that has developed to the point where it would normally have been viable, but for some reason is born dead. The line between a miscarriage and a stillbirth is not clear cut, and sometimes there is a question as to whether the fetus was viable. In this case, the decision to record or not to record the name on the family records is up to the family. The family may give the stillborn child a name for recording purposes, if they desire, and funeral services may even be held. But such children are not reported as births or deaths on Church records.
"It should be noted, however, that no temple ordinances are performed in behalf of a stillborn child. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, quoting President Brigham Young, wrote that " 'they are all right," "¦ and nothing in the way of sealings or ordinances need be done for them." (Bruce R. McConkie, comp., Doctrines of Salvation, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1955, 2:281.)
"The question of whether stillborn children will be resurrected and belong to their parents in the hereafter is really the crux of the matter. This question is, as yet, impossible to answer with certainty. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith wrote that 'there is no information given by revelation in regard to the status of stillborn children. However, I will express my personal opinion that we should have hope that these little ones will receive a resurrection and then belong to us." (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:280.) He said nothing about miscarried children.
"One issue involved is whether an unborn child in the mother's womb is a living soul. The answer to that question may depend in part on the answer to another question-When does the spirit enter the body? On this second question some Church leaders have made comments. President Brigham Young said he believed that "when the mother feels life come to her infant it is the spirit entering the body." (Journal of Discourses, 17:143.)
"The message "The Origin of Man" issued by the First Presidency in 1909 stated: "The body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ embryo, which becomes an infant, quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man." (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1970, 4:205.)
"Elder Bruce R. McConkie, referring to "The Origin of Man," expressed his opinion that the message "appears to bear out the concept that the eternal spirit enters the body prior to a normal birth, and therefore that stillborn children will be resurrected." (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 768.)
"It is not clear exactly at what point of development that "certain stage" of quickening-when the spirit makes eternal claim to the body-occurs. Even though quickening occurs before birth, we still do not know definitely when a living soul comes into existence. In fact, some Church leaders have suggested that a living soul does not exist until three essential elements-the body, the spirit, and the breath of life-are all present."
Post Date: 2nd Dec, 2006 - 3:37pm / Post ID: #
Mormon View On When Life Begins
According to Parley P. Pratt in the book Key to the Science of Theology pg 79, says,
| QUOTE |
| The spirit of man consists of an organization of the elements of spiritual matter in the likeness and after the pattern of the fleshly tabernacle. It possesses, in fact, all the organs and parts exactly corresponding to the outward tabernacle. The entrance of this spirit into its EMBRYO tabernacle of the flesh is called quickening. The infallible evidence of its presence is voluntar motion, which implies a degree of independent agency or inherent will, which individual identity alone possesses. |
So if I'm understanding this correctly it's saying the moment we start giving voluntary movements, is the point that the spirit enters the body.
Mormon View When Life Begins
It does sound like that is what he is saying Zelph, however I am sure many will argue that the movements are involuntary as opposed to voluntary. If we really want to get complex then we need to ascertain if sperm - which moves and acts before it even reaches the egg is considered in the same light of vouluntary.
Post Date: 3rd Dec, 2006 - 4:49am / Post ID: #
Mormon View When Life Begins Mormon Doctrine Studies
That's a good point JB, maybe we will never in this life really know when the spirit enters the Body.
TOPIC: Mormon View On When Life Begins