(Honor Idaho, July 31, 2026)
If there were ever a moment for faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to stand for the sanctity of life, this is it.
This November, Idaho voters will decide whether Prop 1 becomes law. For Latter-day Saints, this is more than another election or another political debate. It is a moral moment, one that asks whether we will defend the most vulnerable of God’s children when they cannot defend themselves.
For generations, church leaders have spoken with remarkable clarity about the sanctity of life. The Family: A Proclamation to the World affirms the divine nature of God’s plan for His children, and modern church presidents have repeatedly warned of the tragedy of abortion.
President Gordon B. Hinckley declared:
“Abortion is an evil, stark and real and repugnant, which is sweeping over the earth.”
President Spencer W. Kimball was equally direct:
“Abortion must be considered one of the most revolting and sinful practices in this day.”
There is no ambiguity. For decades, Church leaders have consistently taught that human life is sacred.
The Church has long recognized that there are rare and heartbreaking circumstances in which an abortion may be considered when the life of the mother is in serious jeopardy. Those tragic exceptions are exceedingly uncommon and should never be used to justify policies that permit abortion on demand. The sacred principle remains unchanged: every human life is a gift from God and deserves our protection.
Some faithful members naturally avoid politics because they desire peace, unity, and civility. That is understandable. But this is bigger than politics. This is about whether Idaho will continue to protect innocent human life. It is about whether we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, will stand for principles we have been taught our entire lives.
And make no mistake, Prop 1 is not a “moderate” proposal.
Its provisions would dramatically expand abortion in Idaho in ways that should concern every Latter-day Saint.
Among its most troubling provisions are:
- Abortions could be performed throughout pregnancy if a single medical provider determines the unborn child cannot survive outside the womb. There are no additional approvals or independent reviews required for that determination.
- Minors could obtain abortions without the knowledge or consent of their parents.
- Abortions could be performed by qualifying medical providers beyond physicians, expanding who is authorized to perform these procedures.
These are not small policy changes. They represent a fundamental shift in how Idaho values and protects unborn life.
The good news is that we are not powerless.
Every conversation matters. Every yard sign matters. Every text message, every social media post, every volunteer hour, every donation, and every vote matters.
Talk to your family. Talk to your friends. Talk to members of your ward. Encourage others to study the initiative for themselves and understand what is at stake. As Latter-day Saints, we have always believed that one faithful person can make a difference. Imagine what thousands of faithful Idahoans can accomplish together.
Years from now, when our children and grandchildren ask what we did when Idaho faced this defining moment, may we be able to answer with confidence that we did everything within our power to protect God’s unborn children.
This November, let us stand with courage instead of silence, faith instead of fear, and conviction instead of complacency.
Vote NO on Prop 1. Then encourage everyone you know to do the same.
Note: This article first appeared on HonorIdaho.com, and is republished here by permission.
