Men, Your Voice Matters - A Latter-day Saint Response to "No Uterus, No Opinion"

A Father's Day message from Latter-day Saints for Life president, Jessica Spackman

Chances are, you’ve been told: “No uterus, no opinion!” Or maybe: “Keep your bans off women’s bodies!”

As a woman, I’m here to tell you that is nonsensical manipulation. You don’t just deserve a seat at the table; this is your responsibility. 

Your Power as a Father

Did you know that studies suggest that men (specifically, the father of the child) are the most influential people on the women considering abortion?

(Some of the studies: https://news.lifeway.com/2022/01/21/men-play-significant-role-in-decisions-surrounding-unplanned-pregnancies/ , https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8956302/)

When the partner suggests or urges the mother to get an abortion, she is more likely to have one; when he expresses desire to keep the baby, she is more likely to choose life.

If you find yourself in a situation where the abortion question has come up, you absolutely have the ability to influence what happens to your child. Your journey of fatherhood has already begun, and what you do now is going to impact the rest of your life.

Your Responsibility as a Father

Fathers have a specific role in the family—and it’s not just to “let your wife make all the eternally-impactful decisions.”

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”

- The Family: A Proclamation to the World (emphasis added)

Protecting your children from abortion and providing them the opportunity to live is definitely part of the job description. In fact, I’d call that the bare minimum!

What happens when fathers don’t live up to their responsibilities?

“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.”

- The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Your Right to Your Agency in Society

Some may say that only a woman has the right to choose what happens with her body. While that may be true to an extent, societies have always established laws to restrict certain actions, and when those laws are broken, there are consequences.

In discussing abortion, then-Apostle Elder Oaks taught:

“If we say we are anti-abortion in our personal life but pro-choice in public policy, we are saying that we will not use our influence to establish public policies that encourage righteous choices on matters God’s servants have defined as serious sins. I urge Latter-day Saints who have taken that position to ask themselves which other grievous sins should be decriminalized or smiled on by the law on this theory that persons should not be hampered in their choices. Should we decriminalize or lighten the legal consequences of child abuse? of cruelty to animals? of pollution? of fraud? of fathers who choose to abandon their families for greater freedom or convenience?”

- Dallin H Oaks, "Weightier Matters", January 2001

When others tell you, men, that you can’t use your agency to vote for just laws to restrict the killing of an innocent child in the womb, those people are trying to take away your agency!

Your Spiritual Responsibility in Society

Every person has the opportunity and responsibility to vote for and promote choices in their societies that will lead to a safe, moral world for themselves and their children.

As a follower of Jesus Christ and member of His Church, you have even more responsibility:

“Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

- The Family: A Proclamation to the World (emphasis added)

Does this include abortion? I believe so; you tell me if you agree:

“For the wrath of God is provoked by governments that sponsor gambling, condone pornography, or legalize abortion."

- Russell M Nelson, "Lessons from Eve", October 1987 ( emphasis added)

Go and Do

“Arise from the dust, my sons, and be men”

- 2 Nephi 1:21

How you stand for life can look different for everyone: maybe it's volunteering or donating for pro-life charities, maybe you join Latter-day Saints for Life (that's free, with no time commitment ;)), you might get extra involved politically, or you could just share pro-life posts on social media!

Whatever you feel called to do, remember these dos and don'ts:

Don’t

• Let others silence you with seductive slogans and false talking points meant to manipulate you.

• Be afraid of what others think of you.

Do:

• Use discernment to see God’s truth and His way for you.

• Have compassion for everybody: the pro-choice person, the mothers and fathers facing unplanned pregnancies, those who have chosen abortion, and the child in the womb.

• Hold onto faith. Take courage. Choose to stand for truth, for life, and for God every day.