The LDS Church's Public Affairs Council in Oregon has come out in opposition to a ballot proposal that would legalize doctor-assisted suicide in Oregon.
The council also urged support of another proposition that would allow enactment of tough anti-obscenity and anti-child pornography laws.In a letter recently read at all adult services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oregon, council head Douglas W. DeHaan wrote that it is "opposing Ballot Measure 16 allowing physician-assisted suicide and supporting Ballot Measure 19 which will allow anti-obscenity and anti-child pornography laws to be enacted.
"We urge church membership to vote accordingly," the letter said.
There are roughly 210,000 members of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oregon, according to church figures.
Measure 16, while prohibiting mercy killing or euthanasia, would allow a terminally ill patient under strict circumstances to obtain through a physician the "means and instructions to end life."
That, according to DeHaan's letter, is contrary to LDS doctrine, which states, "A person who participates in euthanasia - deliberately putting to death a person suffering from incurable conditions or diseases - violates the commandments of God."
Measure 19, which would provide for tougher anti-pornography laws, is consistent with church teachings, DeHaan said.
His letter said child pornography "is particularly sinful in light of the Savior's statement that to offend one of his `little ones' was worthy of death."
Mormon leaders in Oregon have been instructed to arrange speeches on the topics before the Nov. 8 election. They join Oregon Catholic leaders in opposing the assisted-suicide measure.