Children Quote by Dallin H. Oaks
““From the perspective of the plan of salvation, one of the most serious abuses of children is to deny them birth. This is a worldwide trend. The national birthrate in the United States is the lowest in 25 years,2 and the birthrates in most European and Asian countries have been below replacement levels for many years. This is not just a religious issue. As rising generations diminish in numbers, cultures and even nations are hollowed out and eventually disappear. One cause of the diminishing birthrate is the practice of abortion. Worldwide, there are estimated to be more than 40 million abortions per year.3 Many laws permit or even promote abortion, but to us this is a great evil.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, 2020
The quote argues that low birth rates, driven partly by abortion, threaten cultural and national continuity, framing it as a serious moral issue.
In simple terms: Low birth rates harm societies; abortion is seen as a major cause.
Key Takeaway
Consider the long‑term impact of demographic decline.
Themes
demography
culture
ethics
family
policy
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
ethical
social
political
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- family planning
- religious discourse
- social services
- education curricula
Key Concepts
population dynamics
social continuity
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic conditions affect family size?
- What alternative solutions address demographic decline?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overlook economic, personal, and gender‑related factors influencing fertility choices.
![“What will he [Satan] do first? Prevent spirits from coming to earth. How will he do this? He'll do all in his power to promote abortion. He'll convince people to have no children. He will raise fears about over population and encourage governments to make laws that limit the number of children…” quote by John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07e/john-bytheway-10653_abortion_what-will-he-satan-do-first-prevent-spir_2821194.jpg)
