Sister Thompson Promotes Adoption

Photograph by Busath Photography

As a young social worker, Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, felt heartbroken when a co-worker actually thought abortion was a good option for pregnant girls unable to support a child.

She explained to the fellow social worker that adoption blessed more lives.

“I’ve seen the blessings that come into the lives of young parents who lovingly place their children for adoption,” Sister Thompson said at the Families Supporting Adoption (FSA) national conference held on August 8 and 9, 2008, in Layton, Utah, USA.

Several states and five Canadian provinces participated in their own regional FSA conferences, with Sister Thompson’s keynote address broadcast to each area during the general session on August 9.

Through a variety of workshops and panel discussions, the conference helped birth mothers and adopting couples become more familiar and comfortable with the adoption process.

Dan and Aranne Urbancic, members of the Palo Verde Ward, Lake Mead stake in Henderson, Nevada, USA, said each presentation provided audience members with open, honest feedback. The couple, who attended the conference in Layton and want to adopt, were also impressed by the expertise of the various teachers.

“You knew they understood the situation and were not just reading out of a book,” Brother Urbancic said.

Sponsored by LDS Family Services, FSA aims to promote positive views of adoption and provide support to birth parents, adoptive families, and friends of adoption.