Message of Life: Elder Andersen's General Conference Address
- Stephani Evans
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
In case you missed it, General Conference this weekend was filled with pro-life messages. We were blessed to receive an entire talk by Elder Neil L. Andersen dedicated to the defense of life, the promise of forgiveness to those who have had abortions, and God’s commandment that we love and serve those facing unplanned pregnancy.
This address beautifully defended the Lord’s doctrine while also acknowledging the intense pain, fear, and pressure that can surround unplanned pregnancies.
Elder Andersen opened his talk with the Savior’s words:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Love for the Unborn
Elder Andersen restated the Church’s stance on abortion. He reminded us that we believe in the sanctity of life, and that elective abortion has never been acceptable before the Lord.
“The word of the Lord concerning the unborn, given voice through the first presidency of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has never varied and echoes the words of prophets through the ages, giving divine clarity to what the Lord has asked of us.
“The diminishing love for unborn children worldwide is a grave concern. God cherishes life. It is his work and his glory to bring immortality and eternal life to his children.”
Love for the Parents
Elder Andersen spoke with tenderness and mercy when discussing those who face unplanned, or uncertain pregnancies.
“Health concerns, spiritual turmoil, embarrassment, financial worries, educational questions, marriage uncertainty, and the sadness of shattered dreams can, in a moment of pain and bewilderment, leave a thoughtful woman to take steps that will bring deep pain and regret. For any listening who have experienced the deep pain of having or participating in an abortion, please remember, although we cannot change the past, God can heal the past.”
A Call to Action
Unfortunately, abortion has been relegated to the “political” in many of our meetinghouses, effectively silencing its discussion. Fear of controversy and “contention” often paralyzes members from testifying of the sanctity of life.
Elder Andersen stated clearly:
“Nurturing and protecting life that is yet unborn is not a political position. It is a moral law confirmed by the Lord through His prophets.”
God's laws should not be dismissed as political and controversial.
Members of the Church who have been participating in pro-life work for even a short amount of time will know that other Christian churches have often been the ones leading the way in the pro-life movement. This even includes support for women considering abortion. This is yet another reason why abortion should not be lumped with the “political” in our meetinghouses. If we ignore abortion in our communities, we risk ignoring the needs of pregnant women.
“When a woman and a man are in such a fragile time, facing a crucial choice, our words, our hands, our hearts, spiritually, emotionally, and financially, can bless them to feel the Savior’s love.”
We hope that this quote from Elder Andersen’s talk can inspire all of us as members of the Church to be mindful of those who may be facing an unplanned pregnancy, and perhaps to give and organize support for those who may be considering abortion.
Here are some resources that can help:
Latter-day Saints for Life Pregnancy Resources: https://www.latterdaysaintsforlife.org/pregnancy-resources
Latter-day Saints for Life Family Home Evening Guides: https://www.latterdaysaintsforlife.org/home-evening
Latter-day Saints for Life Presentation:
Examples of Life
Notably, Elder Andersen also shared examples of tremendous faith, courage, and selflessness of individuals facing unplanned pregnancies. He spoke of a young woman and her family returning to church after inactivity. During this transition, the young woman discovered she was pregnant. Refusing pressure from her boyfriend to have an abortion, the young woman stated:
“I have received so much love and support from our ward family. It has been overwhelming. My bishop and Young Women president have gone above and beyond to show their love and support. I have seen the Lord’s hand guiding me and my family. A ward such as mine is the family everyone needs; especially a young woman in my position.”
Another story included a young woman who, facing an unexpected pregnancy at seventeen years of age, placed her child for adoption. She stated:
“I know that God answers prayers and strengthens us.”
Another story included that of a young couple who learned at ten weeks of pregnancy that their baby had Trisomy 21, commonly known as Down syndrome. Despite pressure from the medical community to terminate, they remained steadfast in their defense of life. They stated:
“We received revelation and understanding that our daughter is an elite child of Heavenly Father and has an immense desire to be in our family and to come to earth.”
A third, remarkable story was that of a woman who offered to raise the child of a single woman with whom her husband had been unfaithful. Elder Andersen stated:
“How could this noble woman of God take a child as her own who could be a daily reminder of the unfaithfulness of her husband? How? Because she found strength through Jesus Christ, and she believed in the sacredness of life, the holiness of life. She knew the unborn child was a child of God, innocent and pure.”
These stories were poignant examples of the seemingly insurmountable difficulties which women or couples often confront. These difficulties often lead some to conclude that abortion is the only choice. These examples are profound proof of the miracle of the Savior’s atonement to change hearts, foster courage, and fill our hearts with charity.
Love One to Another
Elder Andersen closed his talk the same way he began; with the Savior’s words:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
May we take Elder Andersen’s words of guidance to heart and stand courageously in the defense of life and in our love for others.
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