Attitudes
Toward Health
"In light of modern revelation, Latter-day Saints
believe that the physical body and its health and well-being are an essential part of the
gospel of Jesus Christ." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Abortion
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers the elective
termination of pregnancy "one of the most…sinful practices of this day". Although not necessarily murder. The Lord has
said, "Thou shalt not…kill, nor do anything like unto it" (D&C 59:6;
emphasis added in Packer, p. 85).
Abuse of
Drugs
"The abuse of drugs is contrary to the teachings of the Church." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
AIDS
"In January 1989 a special bulletin on AIDS was sent to Church
leaders throughout the world to provide (1) scientific and medical information about AIDS;
(2) counsel reaffirming the blessings and protection that come from living God's
commandments; and (3) guidelines and policies dealing with interviewing and assisting
those infected with the AIDS virus." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Alcoholic
Beverages and Alcoholism
"Active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages." Encyclopedia of
Mormonism
Artificial Insemination
"The Church does not approve of artificial insemination of single
women. It also discourages artificial insemination of married women using semen from
anyone but the husband. However,' [we believe] this is a personal matter that ultimately
must be left to the husband and wife, with the responsibility for the decision resting
solely upon them" Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Autopsy
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds that an
autopsy may be performed if the family of the deceased gives consent and if the autopsy
complies with the law of the community." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Birth
Control
"In the beginning the Lord commanded man to be fruitful and multiply
and fill the earth with posterity, thus providing bodies for the hosts of pre-existent spirits. (Gen. 1:28.)" Mormon
Doctrine
Blood
Transfusions
"the Church leaves all decisions about the use or nonuse of blood to
the member or family concerned in consultation with their physician." Encyclopedia
of Mormonism
Burial
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints counsels its members
to bury their dead in the earth to return dust to dust, unless the law of the country
requires cremation." Encyclopedia
of Mormonism
Circumcision
"In modern times, Joseph Smith affirmed the perpetuity of the Abrahamic Covenant and defended
the integrity of Judaism. Today, however, if Latter-day Saint males are circumcised, it is
for cleanliness and health, not religious, reasons."
Coffee
"Active Latter-day Saints abstain from drinking coffee. This practice
derives from an 1833 revelation known as the Word of Wisdom,
which states that "hot drinks are not for the body or the belly" (D&C 89:9)."
Cola Drinks
"Certainly the partaking of cola drinks, though not
included within the measuring standard here set out, is in violation of the spirit of the
Word of Wisdom." Elder Bruce R. McConkie
Cremation
"Since the organization of the Church in 1830, Latter-day Saints have
been encouraged by their leaders to avoid cremation, unless it is required by law, and,
wherever possible, to consign the body to burial in the earth and leave the dissolution of
the body to nature, "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen.
3:19).
Deseret
Hospital
"With increasing evidence that home care of the sick and injured was
no longer adequate, the women of the Relief Society, with the
support of the First
Presidency, opened Deseret Hospital in Salt Lake City on July 17, 1882. Though Roman
Catholics and Episcopalians already sponsored hospitals in Utah, this was the first
official endorsement of allopathic medicine by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (see Medical Practices).
Hospitals
"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints have historically felt a responsibility to care for the physical well-being of
fellow Church members and their neighbors."
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Organ
Transplants and Donations
"Whether an individual chooses to will his own bodily organs or
authorizes the transplant of organs from a deceased family member is a decision for the
individual or the deceased member's family. The decision to receive a donated organ should
be made with competent medical counsel and confirmation through prayer" Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Materials
for the Blind and Deaf
"During his earthly ministry, Jesus was always sensitive to
individuals and their personal needs. He paid particular attention to those with handicaps
and healed many of their infirmities (e.g., Matt. 11:5). Today, The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints teaches similar sensitivity to people with special needs." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Maternity
and Child Health Care
"Before professional doctors and nurses assumed primary
responsibility for delivering health care, LDS women played a major role in providing
maternity and child health care in their communities...Today, Relief Society women are
encouraged to seek appropriate professional medical care and to participate in nursing and
first-aid classes." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Medical
Practices
"Today, many LDS women and men are involved in health care practice
and research. Church members, who are advised to seek medical assistance from competent
licensed physicians, generally believe that advances in medical science and health care
have come though the inspiration of the Lord." Encyclopedia of
Mormonism
Mental Health
" The Church endorses the work of licensed mental health
practitioners provided that the suggestions and treatment offered are consistent with
Church moral and lifestyle expectations." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Physical
Fitness and Recreation
"The Church has always endorsed recreation and fitness as desirable
and worthy of promotion." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Prolonging Life
"When severe illness strikes, Church members should exercise faith in
the Lord and seek competent medical assistance. However, when dying becomes inevitable,
death should be looked upon as a blessing and a purposeful part of an eternal existence." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Sports
"The LDS Church was a pioneer among religious faiths in promoting
physical activity, sports, and recreation for members." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Sterilization
The First Presidency has declared, "We seriously deplore the fact
that members of the Church would voluntarily take measures to render themselves incapable
of further procreation."
Tattoos and Body Piercing
"The practice is a desecration of the human
body and should not be permitted, unless all that is involved is the placing of a blood
type or an identification number in an obscure place." Elder Bruce R. McConkie
Tea
"Devout Latter-day Saints do not drink teas containing caffeine." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Tobacco
"Devout Latter-day Saints do not use tobacco in any of its forms." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Word of
Wisdom
"The practice of abstaining from all forms of alcohol,
tobacco, coffee, and tea, which may outwardly distinguish active Latter-day Saints more
than any other practice." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Thoughts on the Word of Wisdom
An excerpt from Bruce R. McConkie's book discussing the Word of Wisdom
Does the Word of Wisdom
Require Latter-day Saints to be Vegetarians?
"...[God] gave us the flesh of beasts and of fowl for food, but that
they were to be used sparingly." Elder Mark E. Peterson
Why
Are Certain Things Forbidden In the Word of Wisdom?
"While some Church members have
speculated why these things are forbidden, the Lord has never given any definitive reasons
and Latter-day Saints simply obey as a matter of faith." W. John Walsh
Grape Juice Provides Health Benefits Without Alcohol
New scientific
findings reinforce the Word of Wisdom. |
