The third annual Latter-day Saints for Life conference in Provo, Utah, gathered members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to discuss the pro-life movement under the theme “Stand for Life with Love.” The event, organized by the coalition Latter-day Saints for Life, focused on cultural shifts in advocating for life, including discussions on motherhood, pregnancy, and women’s bodies. Jessica Spackman, president of the group, emphasized the need for members to balance firm beliefs with compassion, stating, “I know you have a role to play, and the Lord can give you both the strength and the words you need to stand for life with love.”
Founded in 2022, Latter-day Saints for Life began with four members and grew to over 1,500 across all 50 states, according to Spackman. The conference highlighted efforts to reshape how the church engages with pro-life issues, including a call to “change how you talk about issues surrounding the law of chastity” from “fire and brimstone” to “an attitude of cherishing life,” as urged by speaker Sarah Clark. Clark, a Latter-day Saint influencer, referenced a general conference address by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, which emphasized that “truth and love always walk together.”
Origins of Latter-day Saints for Life
Spackman described the group’s creation as a response to a perceived gap in the pro-life community, where Latter-day Saints felt excluded from efforts due to their religious beliefs. “I’ve heard from members across the country who’ve been turned down from joining and helping in various pro-life efforts because of their religious beliefs,” she said. The conference aimed to address this by fostering dialogue and service, with attendees participating in projects led by nonprofit Stitching Hearts Worldwide, which provides humanitarian products to ease suffering.
Cultural Shifts in Pro-Life Advocacy
Clark advocated for a cultural shift in how members discuss unexpected pregnancies and women’s bodies, urging a focus on “encouragement and a helping hand” rather than judgment. She emphasized “speaking of the beautiful creation that is your body,” while acknowledging the challenges of childbirth. The conference also addressed the importance of “service as vital to the pro-life movement,” with attendees engaging in initiatives to “heal hearts worldwide.”
Service Projects and Community Impact
The event included presentations on how service projects align with pro-life values, with Stitching Hearts Worldwide facilitating activities to “create humanitarian products.” Attendees were encouraged to view their role in the movement as both a spiritual and practical endeavor. Spackman concluded by referencing the conference’s theme, stating, “I know there are few things that will be more rewarding for you when you stand before the Lord at the last day than to say that you stood up for the least of these.”