7 Times President Nelson Spoke in Defense of Life: Remembering His Legacy
- latterdaysaintsfor
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 5
September 27, 2025, we said goodbye to our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. He was 101 years old.
He lived a long and meaningful life, and he spent that life showing others the way to eternal life: Jesus Christ. As part of that, he spoke firmly and repeatedly about the sanctity of life, and against abortion (including a full conference talk and a separate Ensign article on the topic).
In addition to his lifelong devotion as father of 10 and grandfather and great-grandfather to many more, President Nelson spoke repeatedly in defense of the preborn. To remember him, we've collected 7 top quotes from 7 sources (with links) of his pro-life teachings (with emphasis added):
“Reverence for Life”, April 1985 general conference:
“The woman’s choice for her own body does not validate choice for the body of another. The expression ‘terminate the pregnancy’ applies literally only to the woman. The consequence of terminating the fetus therein involves the body and very life of another. These two individuals have separate brains, separate hearts, and separate circulatory systems. To pretend that there is no child and no life there is to deny reality.”
“Abortion: An Assault on the Defenseless” October 2008 Ensign article:
“When the controversies about abortion are debated, ‘individual right of choice’ is invoked as though it were the one supreme virtue. That could only be true if but one person were involved. The rights of any one individual do not allow the rights of another individual to be abused. In or out of marriage, abortion is not solely an individual matter. Terminating the life of a developing baby involves two individuals with separate bodies, brains, and hearts. A woman’s choice for her own body does not include the right to deprive her baby of life—and a lifetime of choices that her child would make.”
“Lessons from Eve”, October 1987 general conference
“Your foes in a sordid society demean the sacredness of women and the sanctity of motherhood. Your world, sickened by unchastity and plagued with sexually transmitted disease, needs your righteous example. For the wrath of God is provoked by governments that sponsor gambling, condone pornography, or legalize abortion. These forces serve to denigrate women now, just as they did in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
“Set in Order Thy House”, October 2001 general conference (emphasis added)
“The seditious evils of pornography, abortion, and addiction to harmful substances serve as termites to erode the undergirding strength of a happy home and a faithful family. We cannot yield to any iniquity without putting our families at risk.”
“Four Lessons in One Life”, May 1974 BYU Speech
“Knowing and living the truth bring us freedom from the bondage that disobedience to law brings. So, to each of you in whatever field or “kingdom” you may choose, learn the law. Once you know the law, apply it and then be consistent. Don’t be inconsistent… There are those who profess reverence for life and at the same time argue for abortion or euthanasia. Consistency comes from self-discipline in recognizing and revering divine law.”
“Protect the Spiritual Power Line”, October 1984 general conference
“But as loud voices argue on, let us remember that those who advocate abortion have already been born! Those who freely deny God with their amoral and agnostic practices will one day find that He may just as freely deny them! (See 3 Ne. 28:34.)”
“Choices”, October 1990 general conference
“In recent years, many questions relate to the 'choice' to abort the life of a newly forming human being. Ironically, such 'choice' would deny that developing individual both life and choice.”
As Latter-day Saints for Life, we solemnly honor and give thanks to God for his consistent, fearless stance for life and against elective abortion. We are grateful for this true and living Church, and that God continues to call and inspire prophets for our day. We know this is not the end for President Nelson, nor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This is also far from the end of our fight for life as Latter-day Saints. Our beliefs in the sanctity of life come from God, affirmed by prophets through the ages. We follow Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is why we are pro-life. And we know President Nelson is in His rest.
This year, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, for which President Nelson was one of 15 contributors and signers. We’ve created a limited-edition magnet that we want to share with you! We will send one to every person who makes a minimum donation of $20 now through the end of November 2025. Give today: latterdaysaintsforlife.org/donate !
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