As Mormons, we believe in the God-given unit of families. The Lord intends for children to be raised in stable homes, by a father and mother who love them and who lead them back to God Himself.
Here is the Church’s statement on the principle of adoption. It is an inspired one.
“Children are entitled to be raised by parents who honor marital vows and who can provide love and support. can be a great blessing for many children who are born without this opportunity. Adoption can also be a great blessing to couples who are unable to conceive their own children….
“Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses the birth parents, the child, and the adoptive family” (“Adoption,” LDS.org)
My husband and I had the beautiful opportunity to adopt a child. Our little son came through an inspired birth mother who recognized the need for her baby to be raised in a stable family life. Her gift was tremendous and I do not think greater maternal love can exist than in an experience like this.
She was sixteen, and yet manifested a wisdom far beyond others much older. We were greatly blessed by her profound choice.
Studies support the Church’s statement. For example, research shows the influence of a stable father is an extensive and long-term benefit in the life of a child (for example, if a father exercises his children are three times more likely to exercise than their peers). Studies have shown that a mother’s influence is extensive and long-term (i.e. if a mother reads as a hobby her children are two times more likely to read as a hobby than their peers). Now pair those two influences into one stable marriage and you have a powerful agent for good in the life of a child. Our dear birth mother showed such love for her child when she recognized this potency.
Adoption is not easy. It is heart-wrenching for a young girl to give of herself in this matter. Having been the recipient of such a profound gift, though, I cannot speak enough of the import of such decisions. Thus, I’m grateful to be a member of the Mormon church, or otherwise called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church offers its services to young women who find themselves in difficult situations such as in an unwed pregnancy.
If you know of any who find themselves in this situation, perhaps you could direct them to these articles for their consideration:
“Adoption and the Unwed Mother”
“But What Was Best for the Baby?”
And here is the ItsAboutLove.org website with more information on the priceless gift of love called Adoption. You can order the free “Where There’s Help, There’s Hope” video.
Truly, “adoption is an unselfish loving decision that blesses the birth parents, the child, and the adoptive family” (“Adoption”, LDS.org).
