We begin with attitudes about abortion, one of the most controversial topics both in the United States and in the LDS community. The Pew research study asks simply whether abortion should be legal in all cases, most cases, illegal in most cases, and illegal in all cases. Only 8 percent of the LDS in the Pew Survey say that abortion should be legal in all cases (compared to 18 percent of the national sample). Conversely, 70 percent of the LDS in the Pew survey say that abortion should be illegal in most or all cases (compared to 43 percent of the national sample and 61 percent of the Evangelicals).

The GSS also asks more specific questions about when abortion should be available. LDS attitudes toward abortion depend on motivations for the abortion, as is the case nationally. In the case of the mother’s health being seriously endangered there is wide acceptance of abortion, and Mormons are similar to the national population (Figure 21.10). In cases of serious health defects for the baby or rape, somewhat fewer people think abortion is acceptable and Mormons have lower approval than the national population. In cases of unwanted pregnancies, poverty, or single motherhood, there is even less acceptance of abortion, and Mormons are even less accepting than the nation at large. The trend has been a gradual decline in the acceptance of abortion and this can be observed among the LDS population as well, but the test for the difference in trends between Mormons and the nation is not statistically significant. Moreover, church attendance is negatively associated with acceptance of abortion, and this association is similar for Mormons and the national population. However, the relationship between education and acceptability of abortion is positive in the nation, but negative for Mormons and the difference is statistically significant.