Mormon church statement on blood atonement

Published: Friday, June 18 2010 12:00 p.m. MDT

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released this statement Wednesday:

In the mid-19th century, when rhetorical, emotional oratory was common, some church members and leaders used strong language that included notions of people making restitution for their sins by giving up their own lives.

However, so-called "blood atonement," by which individuals would be required to shed their own blood to pay for their sins, is not a doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe in and teach the infinite and all-encompassing atonement of Jesus Christ, which makes forgiveness of sin and salvation possible for all people.

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cynic

It is sad to me to see how many Latter-day Saints there are who still teach and embrace the doctrine of blood atonement, totally disregarding the statements of their church leaders. Truly sad.

12:58 a.m. June 18, 2010
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UtahRez

Not Doctrine? “There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood More..

1:00 a.m. June 18, 2010
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Lee

I'm glad that the LDS church changed its mind about "blood atonement." It shows that a church can recognize its mistakes and continue to grow in understanding.

1:00 a.m. June 18, 2010
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Mormon church statement on blood atonement

Ronnie Lee Gardner executed

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