You may recall the Brittany Maynard case that brought the issue to the forefront of mainstream America. Maynard, a California resident, had terminal cancer. Before taking her own life, she spent her last days advocating for the legalization of assisted suicide, or the right-to-die. She held that she was forced to move to Oregon (no choice) where she could legally take her life. She believed that she had that right and so should you. So much so, that the legacy of her short life is that government is greater than God.
On so many levels, the issue of legalizing assisted suicide is morally wrong. Just wrong. Because I firmly believe this, comments left on this post advocating for assisted suicide will not be published. Rather, I share this information to make sure that my fellow Mormons know exactly where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) stands on the issue of euthanasia.
Twenty years ago this month, the LDS Church issued an inspired document "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." Within that inspired declaration, crafted by the First Presidency of the Church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a powerful statement which addresses this issue:
“We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.”
Life is sacred, from conception to death because our time here in mortality, both comings, and goings is part of God's eternal plan for each of His children. Birth and death are natural phenomenons of the mortal experience creating a portal through eternity.
Because the issue of euthanasia and prolonging life is of great moral concern to the Church, they have posted this official statement on the Mormon Newsroom:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the sanctity of human life, and is therefore opposed to euthanasia. Euthanasia is defined as deliberately putting to death a person who is suffering from an incurable condition or disease. Such a deliberate act ends life immediately through, for example, frequently-termed assisted suicide. Ending a life in such a manner is a violation of the commandments of God.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not believe that allowing a person to die from natural causes by removing a patient from artificial means of life support, as in the case of a long-term illness, falls within the definition of euthanasia. When dying from such an illness or an accident becomes inevitable, it should be seen as a blessing and a purposeful part of eternal existence. Members should not feel obligated to extend mortal life by means that are unreasonable. These judgments are best made by family members after receiving wise and competent medical advice and seeking divine guidance through fasting and prayer.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; . . .
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; . . .
[A] time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; . . .
[A] time to keep silence, and a time to speak. [Ecclesiastes 3:1–2, 4–5, 7]
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