Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 10/15/2026 12:55:31 AM PDT by Morgana
On Friday, October 9, 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $1 million to the “Too Extreme for Idaho PAC,” a political action committee working to defeat Idaho’s Proposition 1. Current Idaho law generally prohibits abortion, with limited exceptions, including for rape and incest.
However, Proposition 1 allows abortion up to fetal viability, which it redefines, allowing abortion for any reason into the eighth month of pregnancy. Proposition 1 eliminates Idaho’s parental consent laws. Proposition 1 also says any “health care provider” can perform abortion.
The donation is notable not only for its size but also for the Church’s limited history of making political contributions of this kind. One comparable example was the Church’s involvement in opposing California’s Proposition 8 nearly two decades ago, when it reportedly spent more than $100,000 in support of the effort.
Following the Idaho donation, the Church issued a statement explaining its involvement: “While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains neutral toward political candidates, it actively addresses ballot initiatives it believes carry significant moral consequences. Accordingly, the church has joined a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in Idaho to dedicate resources toward defeating Proposition 1.”
The Church’s decision underscores an important distinction: political neutrality does not mean moral neutrality. While the Church does not endorse political candidates, it can take a clear position on ballot measures it believes have significant moral implications.
The Church encourages its members to participate in civic life while recognizing that neither major political party perfectly reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. Members are encouraged to make their own decisions about candidates and policies based on the principles they believe are most important.
The Church’s official guidance reinforces this approach. In 2021, Dallin H. Oaks, then an elder and now president of the Church, stated, “We should never assert that a faithful Latter-day Saint cannot belong to a particular party or vote for a particular candidate. We teach correct principles and leave our members to choose how to prioritize and apply those principles on the issues presented from time to time.”
The Church’s response to Proposition 1 reflects that distinction. Regardless of whether members identify as Democrats, Republicans, or somewhere in between, the Church’s opposition makes clear that it views the proposal as an issue with serious moral consequences. Its position is rooted not in partisan allegiance but in principles it believes are fundamental to the protection of life.
The $1 million contribution follows other efforts by Church leadership to encourage members in Idaho to oppose the measure. In mid-September, the Church sent a letter to congregations throughout the state, which was read during worship services on September 20 and 27. The letter communicated the Church’s opposition to Proposition 1 and encouraged members to voice their opposition as well.
The Church’s position on the sanctity of life has long been established. In a worldwide broadcast in April 2025, Elder Neil L. Andersen emphasized the importance of protecting unborn children, stating, “My dear brothers and sisters, 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. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cherish life.”
While the Church has long held this view, there has been no financial investment in abortion-related ballot measures until now.
The Church’s $1 million donation to a PAC dedicated to defeating Proposition 1 marks a significant step in its response to an abortion-related ballot initiative. By committing substantial resources to the effort, the Church has demonstrated that, in its view, protecting unborn life is not simply a matter of partisan politics, but a question of deeply held moral and religious conviction. This donation comes a few weeks before the election, with just enough time to make a big difference.
It is estimated that almost a quarter of Idaho residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Joint effort from members of the Church can make a significant change in Idaho elections.
A similar letter was sent to congregations in Nevada, where voters will also consider an abortion-related ballot initiative. As of October 13, the church has not contributed to abortion-related initiatives in any other states. Since the donation last week, pro-life advocates in Idaho are more hopeful for a positive outcome.
With Election Day being less than a month away, there is still plenty of time to change hearts and minds and take a step in preserving the morals of the nation.
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.