How to save a life.

Here at work we have many interesting conversations. Right now there is a discussion going on about abortion. More specifically, whether it should be legal or not. It started between someone here who is a member of the church and someone who used to be a member. Interestingly the person who is no longer a member seems to know his stuff much better and has doctrine to back up everything he says. I know a few people who have had abortions. I do not think that people should have them. I think that there are better options. I talked to one of the people I know that had an abortion once and she said that the guilt of it has never left her. I would imagine that is a common thing. How could you not think back on what could have been if you had made other choices (no matter what the choice)? Aren't you glad your mom chose life? So then why would I think abortion should be legal? There are people that would go through with abortion anyways. At least now when someone goes in for abortion they are given the other choices. Many chose those other choices. There isn't enough saturation in the education of what the choices are to make it illegal. Imagine a 15 or 16 year old girl who discovers she is pregnant. She fears that having this baby will burden her financially for the rest of her life. If abortion is legal then she will go somewhere and be educated on adoption. If abortion were illegal then that would never happen. She may have a friend try and punch her in the stomach a bunch of times, or use a coat-hanger. This girl would then be endangering herself due to lack of knowledge of her options. The results could be still having a baby, but that is badly disfigured or handicapped, or she could even end up dying.

In 1973, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement regarding abortion, which is still applicable today:
"The Church opposes abortion and counsels its members not to submit to or perform 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 endangered or where the pregnancy was caused by rape and produces serious emotional trauma in the mother. Even then it should be done only after counseling with the local presiding priesthood authority and after receiving divine confirmation through prayer."

The title: The Fray - How to Save a Life