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Utah Legislators Use LDS Handbook in Abortion Debate
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Aiming for votes in this year's elections,
some Utah legislators are seeking to make a statement on abortion,
since the state's law is already as restrictive as possible under
U.S. Supreme Court rulings. The nonbinding resolution they want
passed asks the U.S. Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution to
"protect the life of the unborn." And when one representative, Trisha
Beck, D-Sandy, suggested allowing exceptions for legal abortions in
the case of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother, others
brought up the LDS Church's General Handbook of Instructions, which
allows some exceptions, with Rep. Brent Parker, R-Wellsville, adding,
"I cannot sustain an absolute ban on abortion." But Rep. Jim Ferrin,
R-Orem, suggested that the handbook isn't relevant, adding
sarcastically that maybe exceptions should be allowed "after prayer
and fasting and consultation with her LDS bishop." The amendment
allowing exceptions deadlocked at first, and then passed when Rep.
Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, showed up to break the tie.
Source:
LDS Beliefs Enter Abortion Resolution Debate
Salt Lake Tribune 7Feb02 US UT SLC T4
By Dan Harrie: Salt Lake Tribune
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