Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho have directed stake presidencies, bishoprics and branch presidencies across the state to read a message to congregations during sacrament meetings on September 20 and September 27, formally announcing the Church’s opposition to a ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in state law.
The initiative, known as the Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, will appear before voters on the November 3 general election ballot. Organized by Idahoans United for Women and Families, the measure qualified for the ballot in July after supporters submitted more than 110,000 signatures — the most ever gathered for a ballot initiative in state history, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office. If approved, the measure would establish a right to “reproductive freedom and privacy” in state law, covering decisions related to abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and prenatal and postpartum care up to the point of fetal viability, with exceptions afterward to protect the health of the mother.
In the message to be read over the pulpit, Church leaders reaffirmed what they described as a “long-held stance on abortion” that “remains clear and unchanged,” directing members to the Church’s Newsroom for its official position on the topic. The message cited a 2024 Church statement noting that while the Church remains neutral on political parties and candidates, it will speak out on issues it considers to carry “significant moral consequences.”
“We join with other like-minded individuals and organizations working against this initiative,” the message states, “and encourage our members to voice their opposition to it in a respectful manner consistent with prophetic direction of always demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.”
The Idaho measure is one of several abortion-related questions on statewide ballots this year, part of a wave of citizen initiatives that have followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Supporters of the measure, including Idaho Democratic Party leaders and reproductive rights groups, argue it would restore health-care access that existed statewide before Idaho’s near-total abortion ban took effect. Opponents, including Right to Life Idaho, contend the measure goes further than pre-Roe law allowed and would weaken parental-involvement protections for minors.
The Church has a history of directing local leaders to read statements from the pulpit on politically and socially significant issues, including a 2015 letter addressing the legalization of same-sex marriage. Church guidelines instruct members and leaders to avoid using Church resources or meetings to campaign for or against candidates, while permitting the institution to take positions on ballot measures it deems to have moral implications.
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