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Views on suicide in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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See also: Religious views on suicide and Christian views on suicide

On many occasions spanning over a century, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have taught that suicide is against the will of God, though, Church teachings on suicide have changed through the years.[1] As of 2013 the LDS Church opposes physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.[2]

Leader statements

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One of the earliest recorded explicit mentions by a top church leader was by George Q. Cannon in the First Presidency who stated in an 1893 editorial to LDS youth that "Every member of the Church should be made to understand that it is a dreadful sin to take one’s own life. It is self-murder ...."[3] He echoed this stating, "They who do so are guilty of murder, self-murder it is true ... no one can destroy so precious a gift as that of life without incurring a severe penalty."[4][5][1] Cannon recorded that the First Presidency decided those who died by suicide would not receive an honorable burial in their LDS temple robes as was customary for endowed members.[6] This policy is no longer in effect, and current LDS policy is that "The family, in consultation with the bishop, determines the place and nature of a funeral service for a person who has died under such circumstances. Church facilities may be used. If the person was endowed, he or she may be buried in temple clothing.”[7]

In 1987 the apostle M. Russell Ballard also stated that "We cannot measure these particular spiritual experiences [of those who have died by suicide], of course. We do not know the extent to which the door is open for these particular people to grow and develop in righteousness until they possibly receive the blessings of exaltation. They committed a very serious sin, and some consequences of it may remain with them throughout eternity. Only our Father in Heaven knows the full answer to the questions our hearts ask regarding those who take their own lives.."[8]

Church seventy Bruce R. McConkie wrote in his highly influential and doctrinally occasionally-controversial LDS bestseller[9][10][11]: 16  Mormon Doctrine that "Suicide is murder, pure and simple, and murderers are damned."[12]: 12 [13][14] In the second edition of the book, McConkie updated the entry to say "Obviously persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord's; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course."[15][16]

In the 2011 LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference published by the church, the section on suicide called it "self-murder" and stated that, "modern prophets and apostles have likewise spoken clearly about the seriousness of murder, including self-murder and the severity of consequences associated therewith." It also says "Because we do not understand all the circumstances surrounding someone’s suicide, the level of the person’s accountability, and the penalty that the Lord, in his infinite love and wisdom, may see fit to inflict upon the person, we must avoid judgment. Regardless of those circumstances and the Lord’s divinely imposed punishment, followers of Christ are to be loving and compassionate to those who are hurt by a loved one’s act of suicide. They are real victims themselves. Therefore, nothing in our comments or actions should inflict additional pain or add to the heavy emotional burdens they already bear. "[17]

In 2018, the apostle Dale G. Renlund said, "There's an old sectarian notion that suicide is a sin and that someone who commits suicide is banished to hell forever. That is totally false. I believe the vast majority of cases will find that these individuals have lived heroic lives and that that suicide will not be a defining characteristic of their eternities."[18][19]

Church suicide prevention efforts

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In June 2016 the church published its official Mental Health website[20] followed shortly in September 2016 by its official Preventing Suicide website.[21] In April 2018, the LDS Church donated $150,000 to the state of Utah to aid in suicide prevention.[22] In July 2018, the LDS Church donated $25,000 to the LGBT advocacy group Affirmation: LGBT Mormons, Families & Friends to aid in worldwide suicide prevention training.[18][23]

Leader statements on LGBT Mormon suicides

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Main article: LGBT Mormon suicides

The LDS Church released a statement through spokesman Dale Jones on 28 January 2016 mourning the reported suicides of 32 LGBT Mormons. Leaders and members are instructed to "reach out in an active, compassionate way to all, especially to adolescents who feel estranged or alone," according to the press release."[24][25] On 9 February 2016 when apostle Dallin H. Oaks was asked about church leaders and members' responsibility for the treatment of LGBT individuals that may have precipitated in suicides he stated "that's a question that will be answered on judgment day" and that "nobody is sadder about a case like that than I am."[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Christiansen, Barbara (September 20, 2015). "Church teachings on suicide have changed through the years". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah.
  2. ^ "Religious Groups' Views on End-of-Life Issues". Pew Research Center. November 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Cannon, George (June 1, 1893). "Editorial Thoughts". Juvenile Instructor. 28 (11): 352.
  4. ^ Newquist, Jerreld L. (1974). Gospel Truth; Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon: Vol. 1. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. p. 30. ISBN 9780877475194 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Satterfield, Bruce K. "Teachings Concerning The Telestial Glory" (PDF). Brigham Young University-Idaho. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2021.
  6. ^ Cannon, George Q. The Journal of George Q. Cannon: June 1894. Church History Department of the LDS Church.
  7. ^ "Are there any restrictions on funeral or burial services for someone who died by suicide?". LDS Church. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Ballard, Russell (October 1987). "Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not". Ensign. LDS Church.
  9. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher (May 21, 2010). "Landmark 'Mormon Doctrine' goes out of print". Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2020 – via Archive.org.
  10. ^ Prince, Gregory; William Robert Wright (2005). "Free Agency and Tolerance". David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. University of Utah Press. pp. 50–53. ISBN 0-87480-822-7.
  11. ^ Prince, Gregory A. (2019). Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press. ISBN 9781607816638 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (September 30, 2018). "Church doctrine vs. 'Mormon Doctrine': What's the difference?". Doctrine vs. Culture: How the LDS Church's past policies have changed as it goes global. Provo, Utah: Daily Herald. p. 12.
  13. ^ Bush, Lester E. (1993). Health and Medicine Among the Latter-day Saints Science, Sense, and Scripture. New York City: Crossroad. p. 137. ISBN 9780824512194 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ McConkie, Bruce (1958). Mormon Doctrine (1st ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft. p. 696. ISBN 9780884940623 – via Archive.org.
  15. ^ Stillion, Judith M.; McDowell, Eugene E. (December 3, 2015). Suicide Across The Life Span: Premature Exits. Taylor & Francis. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-317-71180-3 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ McConkie, Bruce R. (1966). Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed.). Deseret Book. p. 538. ISBN 978-0-88494-446-1.
  17. ^ LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. 2011. p. 607. ISBN 9781609080594 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ a b Stephenson, Kathy (July 10, 2018). "Mormon church makes historic donation to LGBTQ support group Affirmation for suicide prevention training". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  19. ^ Renlund, Dale G. (June 2018). "Understanding Suicide". LDS Church.
  20. ^ West, Camille (June 21, 2016). "Church Adds New Mental Health Resources on LDS.org". LDS Church. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  21. ^ Walch, Tad (September 8, 2016). "LDS Church launches 'Preventing Suicide' website during National Suicide Prevention Week". Deseret News. LDS Church. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  22. ^ Williams, Carter (April 25, 2018). "Herbert signs 8 bills for suicide prevention in Utah". KSL. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  23. ^ Ormond, Jordan (July 11, 2018). "LDS Church donates 25K to LGBT advocacy group in effort to prevent suicide". KSL. LDS Church. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  24. ^ Walch, Tad; Collins, Lois M. (January 28, 2016). "LDS Church leaders mourn reported deaths in Mormon LGBT community". LDS Church. Deseret News. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  25. ^ Olsen, Jessica (January 20, 2017). "Timeline". Brigham Young University. The Daily Universe. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  26. ^ Curtis, Larry D. (February 14, 2016). "LDS apostle speaks about church responsibility in Mormon LGBT suicides for first time". CBS Television. KUTV. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
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