Views on masturbation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints explained

See also: Religious views on masturbation, Sexuality and Mormonism and Law of chastity.

On many occasions spanning over a century, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have taught that adherents should not masturbate as part of obedience to the code of conduct known as the law of chastity.^{[1] [2]} This denomination within Mormonism places great emphasis on the sexual behavior of Mormon adherents as a commitment to follow the law of chastity is required for baptism,^[3] and adherence is required to receive a temple recommend,^[4] and is part of the temple endowment ceremony covenants devout participants promise by oath to keep.^[5] A 2011 church manual quotes former church president Spencer W. Kimball who taught that the law of chastity includes "masturbation ... and every hidden and secret sin and all unholy and impure thoughts and practices."^{[6] [7]} Before serving full-time missions, young adults are required to abandon the practice as it is believed to be a gateway sin that dulls sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Ghost.^[8] The first recorded public mention of masturbation by a general church leader to a broad audience was in 1952 by apostle J. Reuben Clark,^{[9] [10]} and recent notable mentions include in 2016, 2019,^[11] and 2021.

In their overview on the topic, Mark Mallan and Vern Bullough describe Mormon community attitudes and teachings on masturbation as having gone through four major stages while various official church publications and new opinions of leaders have emerged throughout the church's history:

1. Silence, from 1830 to the first public statements
2. Secular Conformity, characterized by following popular medical opinion ranging from viewing masturbation as unhealthy to harmless
3. Counterrevolution, opposing modern medical views and scientific data
4. Emerging Reform, indicated by Mormon literature suggesting that masturbation may be normal and not immoral

Although rhetoric has softened and become less direct, the prohibition on masturbation remains in place, but its enforcement and the opinions of local leadership vary. During regular worthiness interviews LDS adherents—including preteens and teenagers—^{[12] [13] [14]} are required to confess of any sexual sins like masturbation to church leaders in order to be deemed worthy to participate in the weekly sacrament or in temple rites like baptisms for the dead.^[13] They are sometimes asked explicitly about masturbation.^{[15] [16] [17]} Church leaders are instructed that masturbation is not grounds for holding a church membership council.^[18] Masturbation is potential grounds for informal church discipline from a leader of a local congregation such as a bishop. Potential disciplinary restrictions include temporarily losing access to temples and/or a ban from receiving the weekly sacrament. The majority of church adherents' views are at odds with those of top church leaders on the morality of masturbation. The church's website contains numerous mentions of masturbation in a negative light.

A majority of never-married respondents to a large 2019 survey of LDS people reported never having masturbated,^[19] but one LDS therapist believed the self-reported numbers were too low,^[20] and underreporting due to the social-desirability bias is a common issue even among anonymous surveys of many stigmatized sexual behaviors.^{[21] [22]} A different survey taken over several decades in the mid-20th century found nearly 80% of LDS-identified men self-reported having masturbated. A large 2019 survey found 78% of American women and 91% of US men masturbate.^[23] Other studies find most American adults have masturbated.^[24]

Timeline of teachings and events

Below is a timeline of events, publications, and speeches on the topic of masturbation in the LDS community.

1800s

• 1871 – First Presidency member Daniel H. Wells told a group of church leaders that many of their young men had a masturbation habit (called "self-abuse", "self-pollution", and "onanism") that was a great sin and would prevent marriage and lead to insanity and an early death.^[25]
• 1883 – The First Presidency and apostles spoke at length with stake presidents about the "self-pollution of both sexes" in the first Mormon reference to female masturbation.

Early 1900s

• 1902 – In response to reports of many students at church schools masturbating, church president Joseph F. Smith stated that masturbation was a "damnable and pernicious practice" and that all top leaders should be strongly against it. He stated that stake leaders should instruct and warn their congregations about it.^[26]
• 1920s and 1930s – During this time top leaders made lessons that warned parents against causing emotional distress in adolescents by overreacting to their children's masturbatory behaviors and referred them to secular books which taught that sexual interests in children and adolescents should be guided and directed and not inhibited.^[27]

1950s

• 1952 – Apostle J. Reuben Clark stated that those who teach that "self-pollution" (a now obsolete dysphemism for masturbation)^[9] is non-sinful are as bad as "the teachers who prostitute the sex urge".^{[25] [10]}
• 1953 – Alarmed by the results found in the Kinsey reports, Brigham Young University president Ernest Wilkinson appointed two faculty committees to tackle the "masturbation problem" on the church school's campus.^[28]
• 1954 – A speech at BYU by the apostle Spencer W. Kimball was published by BYU as a booklet "Be Ye Clean", and later by Deseret Book in 1970.^{[29] [30]} In the speech and both print versions Kimball stated that masturbation and a preoccupation about sex in one's thoughts was a reprehensible sin.^{[31] [32]} The pamphlet was given to missionaries.^[31]
• 1958 – Apostle Bruce R. McConkie spoke strongly against masturbation in his Mormon Doctrine, saying it was "condemned by divine edict" and among the "chief means" the devil uses "leading souls to hell". He also stated when psychiatrists tell their patients experiencing a serious "guilt complex" from masturbation that it is "not an evil" this keeps the patient from complying with the law of chastity and becoming clean, which would lead to "mental and spiritual peace" that helps one cope with or resolve mental disorders.^[33]

1960s

• 1964 – In an address at BYU to instructors of religion Kimball refuted the statements of physicians and others to young Mormon men that masturbation was normal, natural, or necessary.^{[34] [35]}
• 1965 – Apostle Spencer W. Kimball gave a BYU address in which he called masturbation a "common indiscretion"^[36]
• 1966 – Apostle Delbert L. Stapley told BYU students to avoid "perversions" like masturbation.^[37] He further stated that before receiving temple endowments or serving an LDS mission that this "weakness" and "habit" should be abandoned.
• 1967 – Apostle Kimball gave an April general conference address in which he compared sexual sins like masturbation to the leaves and twigs of a spiritually parasitic mistletoe plant that grows with every indiscretion.^[38]
• 1967 – A proposed update to the BYU Honor Code banning "masturbation" was removed in committee.^[39]
• 1968 – Popular Mormon author and later mission president Lindsay Curtis coauthored a book published by the church's Deseret Book which called masturbation an indication of emotional immaturity and an unhealthy coping mechanism which can cause psychological damage. The book further stated that it stems from loneliness, low self-esteem, and poor self-control,^[40] and that the habit can be broken by fasting, prayer, and staying busy.
• 1969 – Apostle Kimball wrote several paragraphs on masturbation in the Miracle of Forgiveness, stating that ancient and modern prophets "condemn masturbation" and that it shows "slavery to the flesh".^[41]

1970s

• 1970 – In a missionary guide a section was included called "Steps to Overcome Masturbation" written by apostle Mark E. Petersen.^[42] The guide, reprinted in a 1973 church packet,^[43] recommended exercise, keeping a Book of Mormon held in hand at night, limiting time in the bathroom, and praying for help to stop masturbating.^[44]
• 1972 – The Relief Society Courses of Study book stated that, "As boys and girls reach physical maturity, curiosity in one's body may result in self-stimulation (masturbation)."^[45]
• 1974 – The Relief Society Courses of Study book update contained an example conversation between mother and child where the child asks, "What's wrong with playing with my body? The other kids says it's okay." The mother responds, "Your body is sacred and you know more about your eternal potential than the other kids. Many so-called experts say that masturbation is all right, but it is not. The Lord expects us to use self-control."^[46]

• 1976 – One of the lengthiest public discussions of masturbation by an apostle was Boyd K. Packer's October general conference address "To Young Men Only", in which he uses a "little factory" euphemism to discuss male reproductive organs and warns young men not to tamper with the factory lest it speed up and become a guilt- and depression-inducing habit that is not easy to resist. He gave vigorous exercise as a method to help control thoughts and break the habit of masturbation since it is a "transgression" that is "not pleasing to the Lord".^{[2] [47]} The talk was printed as a pamphlet and widely distributed by the church from 1980 to 2016.^[48]
• 1976 – BYU sociology professor Wilford Smith published his study of thousands of students spanning 1950 to 1972. He found that 64% of active Mormon females and 57% of active Mormon males did not believe that masturbation was immoral. Additionally, 78% of church-going Mormon men and 27% of active Mormon women reported having masturbated, with 50% of Mormon males and 11% of active Mormon females reporting recent masturbation.^[49]

1980s

• 1980 – The Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists (AMCAP) printed an article by a bishop and sociology professor discussing his counseling techniques to help a BYU student in his ward decrease his masturbation frequency.^[50]
• 1980 – Church president Spencer W. Kimball gave an address calling masturbation a "reprehensible sin."^{[51] [6]}

• 1981 – A manual for bishops on attempting to "cure" homosexual LDS adherents was released. It listed masturbation as a cause of homosexuality,^{[52] [53] [54]} and contained steps on how leaders could help those in their congregations stop masturbating. These included asking them when, where, and how often they masturbate, and having them break off friendships with other people who also masturbate. Other ideas included reading church books, praying, fasting, serving others, regular accountability with the bishop, developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress and loneliness, and exercising.^[55] The manual received media attention in 2017.^{[53] [54]}
• 1981 – Church leaders funded the writing of a book on sexuality^[56] and sent every bishop and stake president a copy. The book was written by Church Welfare Services director^[57] Victor L. Brown Junior and stated that habitual masturbation will cause social-emotional isolation and erotic obsession.^{[58] [59]}
• 1983 – In October an LDS psychiatrist Cantril Nielsen paid a death malpractice settlement to Eugene Eliason for prescribing that his patient 16-year-old Kip Eliason abstain from masturbation as directed by his bishop. This allegedly contributed to the patient's shame-induced suicide on 2 March 1982 over his inability to stop masturbating as recorded in his journal.^{[60] [61] [62]}
• 1983 – Then President of the Twelve Ezra Taft Benson stated in the October general conference that priesthood holders are virtuous and don't masturbate.^[63]
• 1984 – The Ensign published an article referencing a 1965 research article which stated that, "such sexual activity as masturbation, homosexuality, exhibitionism, and voyeurism can be prompted and reinforced by pornography A number of studies I have reviewed suggest that persistent deviant sexual fantasies frequently lead later to deviant behavior."^[64]
• 1985 – The church began providing a manual for parents to use in discussing sexuality with their children. The manual includes statements that "prophets have condemned [masturbation] as a sin" and "perversion of the body's passions" that causes one to "become carnal".^[65]
• 1985 – This edition of the Relief Society Courses of Study book stated that fathers should, "caution their young sons about how masturbation detracts from the spiritual growth," and that parents should teach their children that the Lord has clearly told us to refrain from masturbation.^[66]
• 1985 – The Ensign published an article stating that music producers have gradually added more sexual perversions to their music including, "homosexuality, transvestism, sodomy, masturbation, sadomasochism, rape, prostitution, venereal disease, child abuse, and incest."^[67]
• 1986 – Church seventy Theodore Burton stated in an address to the BYU student body that pornography leads to masturbation and is an evil that takes a considerable amount of time to repent of.^[68]
• 1986 – A BYU professor at BYU published a book which stated that allowing any degree of sexual arousal in oneself prior to marriage was a moral sin.^[69]
• 1986 – Male adults and young men were told that a virtuous LDS priesthood holder does not practice "self-abuse" (i.e. masturbation) or any other sexual perversion by church president Ezra Taft Benson in the October general conference.^[70]
• 1987 – Church seventy Theodore Burton stated in a BYU-wide address that marriage infidelity can often start with "personal indulgences based on selfishness" such as viewing pornography which, "leads to self-abuse, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, child and spouse abuse, incest, rape, and cruelty."^{[71] [72] [73]}
• 1988 – In the church guide "Handbook for Families" BYU professor Lynn Scoresby advised parents to "Teach that self-abuse will result in loss of self-esteem and feelings of self-doubt" in reference to masturbation.^[74]

1990s

• 1990 – An edition of the church's youth guidelines pamphlet was released stating that the "Lord specifically forbids ... masturbation".^{[75] [76] [77]} It also stated that violating this moral law would cause guilt, sin, heartache and withhold blessing of peace, comfort, and happiness from the Holy Ghost.
• 1992 – In a guide for bishops the Church called masturbation a deviant behavior linked to homosexuality, and stated that it makes it more difficult to cease same-sex sexual behavior. It characterized regular masturbation as an addiction that was difficult to quit.^[78]
• 1994 – An Ensign article stated that parents should teach their children about correct moral choices and standards taught by the First Presidency like that the Lord specifically forbids masturbation.^[79]
• 1995 – Another study on the masturbation habits of LDS individuals was released in which 43% of the 103 active, married, church-attending LDS women interviewed reported recent masturbation.
• 1997 – In the church-published Family Home Evening Resource Book fathers were instructed to caution their male children against self-stimulation, and that the 1976 pamphlet "To Young Men Only" could help.^[80]

2000s

• 2000 – In its Sunday lesson manual for young and adult men, the LDS Church published that the law of chastity forbids "improper uses of the divine power of procreation," and that, "Among the other ways man misuses this sacred power are fornication (including living together without marriage), homosexuality, abortion, and masturbation."^[81]
• 2000 – Popular LDS writer, bishop, and BYU professor Brad Wilcox released a book Growing Up: Gospel Answers about Maturation and Sex sold by the church's book company in which he stated that masturbation causes serious emotional and spiritual consequences.^[82]
• 2000 – An Ensign article re-emphasized the teachings of the 1990 "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet which states that the Lord specifically forbids masturbation.^[83]
• 2000 – A female BYU graduate was quoted in a book stating that she had experienced a lot of guilt around her masturbation growing up in a devout LDS family.^[84]
• 2001 – A new edition of the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet was released alluding to masturbation with statements forbidding anything that "arouses" any sexual feelings or emotions in one's "own body".^{[85] [86]}
• 2003 – The apostle Packer again addressed masturbation while discussing sexual mores stating, "there are cravings and temptations, and there can be habitual self-stimulation, and a lot of things that are just unworthy."^{[87] [88]}
• 2004 – LDS Family Services releases "A Practitioner's Guide: Addiction to Masturbation and Pornography" on how LDS therapists can help clients stop masturbating.^{[89] [90]}

2010s

• 2010 – The Church Handbook for leaders states that the three bishopric members should ensure that youth in their congregations from ages 12 to 17 are interviewed twice a year, and that during those one-on-one they are to discuss the "importance of obeying the commandments, particularly ... refraining from any kind of sexual activity, and refraining from viewing, reading, or listening to pornographic material." Additionally, leaders are told to "ensures that the discussion does not encourage curiosity or experimentation."^[91] It also states that disciplinary council should not be called for adherents "who are struggling with pornography or self-abuse."^[92]
• 2011 – An update to the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet contained the same wording against masturbation from the 2001 edition.^{[86] [93]}
• 2011 – In the Ensign an LDS neurosurgeon is quoted saying viewing pornography and "the accompanying act of self-stimulation may not seem horribly bad at first," but that, "you may not believe you are addicted until it is too late."^[94]
• 2013 – Seventy Tad R. Callister stated in a 2013 speech at BYU-I that God condemns self-abuse which he clarifies stating, "Self-abuse is the act of stimulating the procreative power of one's own body."^{[95] [96]} The speech was reprinted in the March 2014 Ensign.^[97]
• 2015 – The church published two anonymous accounts related to masturbation in March. One was by a married woman navigating what she termed her husband's addiction to pornography and masturbation and the relapses he had. The other was of a man who stated that he became addicted to masturbation at the age of 12, and as a married man became paralyzed from the neck down and was still addicted so he sought the help of the LDS Addiction Recovery Program and stated that he had been "sober" from masturbating for one year.^{[98] [99]}
• 2016 – In a recent BYU campus-wide address on suppressing and changing sexually impure thoughts, BYU administrator Jeffery Bunker quoted Benson stating that virtuous priesthood holders do not practice "self-abuse" (i.e. masturbation).^[100]
• 2017 – The LDS Church website published an anonymous account of a woman's experience with what she describes as an addiction to masturbation and pornography that began as a girl and continued as a problem as a married woman. The account includes her repentance consultations with a bishop and LDS counselor and describes a later relapse and involvement with the LDS Addiction Recovery Program.^[101]
• 2017 – The Ensign published an article in which an LDS Family Services employee stated that survivors of sexual abuse may, "become promiscuous to seek nurturing through sexual activity (including pornography and self-stimulation)."^[102]
• 2017 – LDS Living, a magazine published by the church's Deseret Book publishing,^[103] features an article stating, "Although the term 'masturbation' hasn't formally been used in a general conference talk since the 1970s, there are current Church publications that clearly teach that masturbation isn't necessary and is even considered sinful," and that it "can lead to loneliness and isolation." It also states that masturbation is "highly addictive" and leads to selfishly focus on one's own pleasure and comfort.^[104]
• 2017 – At a Sunstone presentation one married LDS man stated that after his bishop recommended he attend LDS Addiction Recovery Services in order to stop his occasional masturbation he became hopeless as the program wasn't helping and decided he needed to castrate himself in order to end all sexual feelings and alleviate his guilt, though, lack of money for a trip to a foreign doctor prevented his plans until he changed his mind.^[105]
• 2017 – In an Ensign article BYU professor Mark Butler taught that adolescents can use masturbation to replace or mask distressing emotions, and that this risks psychological dependency on the behavior to manage life stresses.^[106]
• 2017 – An episode of HBO's television series Room 104 focused on a fictional story of two male Mormon missionaries masturbating to a pornographic film.^[107]
• 2017 – Sam Young, a former bishop, gathered thousands of petition signatures^[108] and protested at Temple Square over the church's practice of bishops asking sexual questions about topics such as masturbation to minors during interviews behind closed doors.^{[109] [110] [111]} He gathered personal accounts^[112] from thousands of current and former church participants who said the youth interviews caused them distress, and some were driven to consider or even attempt suicide because of the shame they felt as a result of probing questions about masturbation, pornography, or sexual activity.^[113] He was later excommunicated from the church.^[114]
• 2017 – A church spokesperson released a statement on bishop's interviews in response to the petition which says, that bishops are "counseled to not be unnecessarily probing or invasive in their questions."^[115]
• 2018 – The BBC stated in an article that in the LDS Church "pornography and masturbation are banned," and quoted two Mormons who said they were taught masturbation was "satanic" and "just below murder."^[116]
• 2018 – A first-hand account of an experience with masturbation interviews growing up in the LDS Church was published by KUTV. In it Kip described his experience as a 13-year-old of confessing masturbation to his bishop. His bishop then had him confess to his father and then mother. Much later, a different bishop gave him the paper "Steps In Overcoming Masturbation" attributed to the LDS apostle Mark E. Petersen, which recommended aversive techniques such as imagining bathing in and eating worms while masturbating in order to stop. Kip stated that all of this made him feel he was disgusting and awful for masturbating and he reported feeling depression and self-loathing.^[117]
• 2018 – Another first-hand experience with masturbation interviews was published by KUTV in which a woman stated that during her teens three separate bishops had asked her sexually explicit questions during one-on-one interviews including about masturbation, and that these contributed to her repulsion and shame for her body.^[118]
• 2018 – An LDS bishop (now former bishop) was charged with inappropriately touching and frequently discussing masturbation with several teens.^[119]
• 2019 – An updated version of the Missionary Handbook was released specifically mentioning masturbation and arousing sexual feelings.^[120]

2020s

• 2020 – The new General Handbook for leaders stated that masturbation is not grounds for holding a church membership council. However, a church membership council may be appropriate when there has been "intensive or compulsive use of pornography that has caused significant harm to a member's marriage or family".^[18]
• 2020 – The August 2020 Ensign teaches that masturbation is contrary to God's command. It says parents should teach children "God's commandment that sexual behavior occur within a marriage relationship, while also not reacting with disgust or anger when children engage in self-touching or youth admit to masturbating."^{[121] [122]}
• 2021 – Church spokesperson Eric Hawkins stated the church condemns pornography in any form and sees masturbation as immoral.^[123]
• 2021 – Therapist Natasha Helfer Park was excommunicated from the church in part because of publicly expressing her belief that masturbation was not a sin.^{[124] [125]}
• 2021 – An Australian public broadcasting (SBS) editor stated, "There was a time when I was just so ashamed. Queerness and things like masturbation, things like porn, and all that stuff were so demonized within [the LDS Church], ... And that can have a really harmful effect on a person."^[126]

Notes and References

1. Malan. Mark Kim. Bullough. Vern. Vern Bullough. Historical development of new masturbation attitudes in Mormon culture: Silence, secular conformity, counterrevolution, and emerging reform. Sexuality & Culture. December 2005. 9. 4. 80–127 . 10.1007/s12119-005-1003-z. 10.1.1.597.8039. 145480822. Internet Archive.
2. Book: Packer, Boyd . Boyd K. Packer . To Young Men Only . 1976 . LDS Church . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311171249/https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/33382_eng.pdf . 2016-03-11 . Internet Archive.
3. Book: live. April 3, 2023. How Do I Prepare People for Baptism and Confirmation?. Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-prepare-people-for-baptism-and-confirmation?lang=eng. https://web.archive.org/web/20190816133037/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-prepare-people-for-baptism-and-confirmation?lang=eng . 2019-08-16. Salt Lake City. LDS Church. 2004. 203–212. Internet Archive.
4. Being Worthy to Enter the Temple . . August 2010 . 2019-07-17 . 2019-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190603234853/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2010/08/being-worthy-to-enter-the-temple?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
5. Encyclopedia: Bryce J. . Christensen . http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5912 . Chastity, Law of . 265–266 . Encyclopedia of Mormonism . Ludlow . Daniel H . Daniel H. Ludlow . New York . . 1992 . 978-0-02-879602-4 . 24502140 . 2017-05-28 . 2013-10-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131003065100/http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5912 . live . Brigham Young University.
6. Book: Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball. LDS Church . 2011 . 181 . The Law of Chastity .
7. Spencer W. Kimball . Spencer W. . Kimball . President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality . . November 1980 . 2019-07-16 . 2019-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190603234853/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1980/11/president-kimball-speaks-out-on-morality?lang=eng . live . LDS Church. Internet Archive.
8. Book: Riess. Jana. Bigelow. Christopher Kimball. Mormonism For Dummies. 273. 25 February 2005. Wiley Publishing. 978-0764571954. 1st. 5 September 2017. As far as masturbation is concerned, Mormons consider it an impure practice that thwarts self-discipline, dulls spirituality, and can become a gateway to other sins, including pornography and homosexual activity. ... Mormons say it requires repentance—in fact, young people aren't cleared to go on missions until they're free of the practice.. 22 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161022153504/https://books.google.com/books?id=DF2D2sc1J-EC. live. limited. Google Books.
9. Stolberg. Michael. An Unmanly Vice: Self-Pollution, Anxiety, and the Body in the Eighteenth Century. Social History of Medicine. April 2000. 13. 1. 8. 10.1093/shm/13.1.1. 11624419. Society for the Social History of Medicine. Oxford University Press.
10. Clark. J. Reuben. Home and the Building of Home Life. Relief Society Magazine. Dec 1952. 793. 3 November 2016. LDS Church. Internet Archive.
11. Book: Missionary Standards for Disciple of Jesus Christ . November 2019 . LDS Church . Chapter 3: Missionary Conduct . https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/missionary-standards-for-disciples-of-jesus-christ/3-missionary-conduct?lang=eng#title_number6 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191121061808/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/missionary-standards-for-disciples-of-jesus-christ/3-missionary-conduct?lang=eng . 21 November 2019 . live . You should avoid any thought or action that would separate you from the Spirit of God. This includes but is not limited to adultery; fornication; same-sex activity; oral sex; arousing sexual feelings; inappropriate touching; sending or receiving messages, images, or videos that are immoral or sexual in nature; masturbation; and viewing or using pornography.. Internet Archive.
12. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack. Some parents and therapists say Mormon bishops' interviews with children about sexual matters are 'intrusive, inappropriate'. Salt Lake Tribune. 12 December 2017. First is when the Mormon lay leader of a congregation (usually the bishop and always a male) calls in the boys and girls in his flock from age 12 on up for an annual interview to ask about their ... adherence to the law of chastity. Some bishops pose pointed questions about moral cleanliness in these conversations, perhaps quizzing about masturbation, heavy petting or fornication, while others keep their queries more general. The other type of interview is when penitent churchgoers go to their bishops to confess actions the church deems to be 'serious sins.' This exchange may also delve into details of intimate sexual behavior. ... [T]he 'For the Strength of Youth' booklet [says,] 'Do not do anything else that arouses sexual feelings. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body.' Though the church’s own Handbook ... never mentions 'masturbation,' many bishops read the above sentence to mean just that. Some LDS leaders routinely ask both boys and girls about it in every interview.. 13 December 2017. 21 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121193209/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/12/12/all-the-buzz-about-sexual-harassment-has-some-mormons-wondering-if-bishops-interviews-go-too-far-and-need-reform/. live. Internet Archive.
13. News: NPR. June 20, 2018. Mormon Leaders Release New Guidelines For Youth Interviews. Hale. Lee .
14. The Week. UK. June 29, 2018. 'Do you masturbate?' and other questions Mormon bishops urged to stop asking children.
15. Malan. Mark Kim. Bullough. Vern. Vern Bullough. Historical development of new masturbation attitudes in Mormon culture: Silence, secular conformity, counterrevolution, and emerging reform. Sexuality & Culture. December 2005. 9. 4. 10.1007/s12119-005-1003-z. 10.1.1.597.8039. 145480822. Internet Archive. 95,97,101,104,115–116,118.
16. Web site: Parker. Natasha Helfer. The Mormon Therapist: Neither a Sin nor a Transgression. Sunstone. 6 July 2017. 2015-04-28. 2017-08-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20170813075949/https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/the-mormon-therapist-neither-a-sin-nor-a-transgression/. live.
17. Book: Bridgstock. Robert. The Youngest Bishop in England: Beneath the Surface of Mormonism. 1 January 2014. See Sharp Press. 978-1937276034. 88–89. 6 July 2017. 16 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116044228/https://books.google.com/books?id=XgECBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA88. live. Google Books. limited.
18. Book: LDS Church. General Handbook . 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328041354/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/32-repentance-and-membership-councils?lang=eng . March 28, 2023. Internet Archive. live. 32.6.4.1 ... A membership council is not held for the actions listed below. ... Masturbation. ... Using pornography, except for child pornography ... or intensive or compulsive use of pornography that has caused significant harm to a member’s marriage or family ..... April 3, 2023.
19. Book: Riess, Jana . Jana Riess. The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church . 2019-05-30 . . 9780190885229 . 10.1093/oso/9780190885205.001.0001 . Google Books. limited.
20. News: Riess . Jana . A reality show about Mormon swingers? The real reality of LDS sex lives is far more boring. . Jana Riess. . 3 February 2024. limited . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217091253/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/02/03/jana-riess-reality-show-about/. 17 February 2024. Internet Archives.
21. King . Bruce M. . 2022-04-01 . The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review . . . 51 . 3 . 1495–1501 . 10.1007/s10508-021-02197-0 . 1573-2800 . 8917098 . 35142972 . ResearchGate.net. However, indirect evidence indicates that under-reporting (e.g., of a number of sexual partners, receptive anal intercourse, condom use) is common. Among the general population, several studies have now reported that even with anonymous responding, there are significant correlations between a variety of self-reported sexual behaviors (e.g., use of condoms, sexual fantasies, exposure to pornography, penis size) and social desirability, with evidence that extreme under- or over-reporting is as common as is found in other fields..
22. Ueffing . Philipp . Dasgupta . Aisha N. Z. . Kantorová . Vladimíra . November 2020 . Sexual activity by marital status and age: a comparative perspective . . . 52 . 6 . 4, 18 . 10.1017/S002193201900083X . 31847925 . 209409020 . 0021-9320 . United Nations.
23. News: TENGA Unveils 2019 Self-Pleasure Report, Revealing New Findings on How Americans Masturbate . 2024-03-18 . Business Insider.
24. Herbenick . Debby . Fu . Tsung-chieh . Wasata . Ruhun . Coleman . Eli . April 2023 . Masturbation Prevalence, Frequency, Reasons, and Associations with Partnered Sex in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a U.S. Nationally Representative Survey . . . . 52 . 3 . 1317–1331 . 10.1007/s10508-022-02505-2 . 0004-0002 . 9794105 . 36575264.
25. Book: Quinn. D. Michael. D. Michael Quinn. Same-Sex Dynamics Among Nineteenth-Century Americans: A Mormon Example. 2001. University of Illinois Press. 978-0252069581. 22 November 2016. Google Books. limited.
26. Book: Larson . Stan . Stan Larson . A Ministry of Meetings The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson . 1993 . . Salt Lake City . 978-0941214964 . 411 . [Thursday, 27 March 1902] Salt Lake City ... Meeting at the temple. ... At this point Pres. Smith referred to a report made by Elder Jos. M. Tanner at the church board of education meeting yesterday, in which he stated that the practice of masturbation was indulged in by many young people in the church schools. Pres. Smith remarked that this was a most damnable and pernicious practice, and the face of every apostle, president of a stake, and high councillor should be set as flint against it. The priesthood should be called together at the stake conferences and the brethren and parents should be instructed and warned in relation to this matter. . 19 June 2018 . 20 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180620001929/http://signaturebookslibrary.org/confidences-held-sacred/ . live . Internet Archive.
27. Book: Bush . Lester E. . Health and Medicine Among the Latter-Day Saints: Science, Sense & Scripture . 1 October 1992 . Crossroad Publishing Company. Spring Valley, New York. 978-0824512194 . 144 . Google Books. limited.
28. Book: Bergera. James. Priddis. Ronald. Brigham Young University: A House of Faith. Integrating Religion & Academics. 1985. Signature Books. 978-0941214346. http://signaturebookslibrary.org/integrating-religion-academics/. 81. 2018-06-19. 2016-11-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20161106190615/http://signaturebookslibrary.org/integrating-religion-academics/. live. Internet Archive.
29. Web site: Kimball. Spencer. Be Ye Clean: Five Steps to Repentance and Forgiveness. Church History Library. Brigham Young University. April 3, 2023. 1954.
30. Web site: Kimball. Spencer. Be Ye Clean: Steps to Repentance and Forgiveness. Church History Library. Deseret Book. April 3, 2023. 1970.
31. Book: McDannell, Colleen . Sister Saints: Mormon Women since the End of Polygamy . 2018-10-02 . . 978-0-19-022133-1 . en . limited . Google Books. 82.
32. Book: Kimball. Spencer. Faith Precedes the Miracle. 1977. Deseret Book. Salt Lake City. 978-0877474906. 174. Internet Archive. April 3, 2023.
33. Book: McConkie. Bruce R.. Bruce R. McConkie. Mormon Doctrine. 1966. 2nd. Internet Archive. Bookcraft. 1958. 1971, 7th reprinting.
34. Book: Kimball. Edward L.. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball. 1994. Bookcraft. 978-0884944720. 269. 9th Printing. Google Books.
35. Book: Kimball. Spencer. A counseling problem in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 10 July 1964. LDS Church. Provo, Utah. 14 June 2017.
36. . Transcript reprint with permission at mentalhealthlibrary.info.
37. Book: Stapley. Delbert. BYU Speeches. 26 April 1966. Brigham Young University. 12.
38. Web site: Kimball. Spencer. Spencer W. Kimball. The Mistletoe. LDS Church. April 1967. 3 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203161952/http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1543. live. Brigham Young University.
39. Book: Wilkinon. Ernest L.. Presidential Files, Memorandum: Conference Held with First Presidency. 18 August 1967. Brigham Young University. Provo, UT . L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library, UA 1000 Box 271, Folder 22, page 2. 20 November 2016. 16 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170116211312/http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/UA1000.xml. live.
40. Book: Curtis. Lindsay R.. Anderson. Wayne J.. Living, Loving, & Marrying: Thoughts for LDS Teens and Young Marrieds. 1968. Deseret Book. 1978 6th Printing. 3 July 2017.
41. Book: Kimball, Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. The Miracle of Forgiveness. Bookcraft. 978-0-88494-192-7. 1969. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023. 1976. registration. 23rd print. 77.
42. Book: Brenner-Idan. Athalya. Are We Amused?: Humour About Women In the Biblical World. 1 Nov 2003. Bloomsbury Publishing. 111. 3 February 2017. 9780826426277. Google Books. limited.
43. Book: Brown Jr.. Victor L.. Bergin. Allen E.. Homosexuality: Welfare Services Packet 1. 16–17. 1973. LDS Church. Internet Archive.
44. Tannenbaum. Rob. Keep Your Hands to Yourself. Details. May 1995. 71. 1 February 2017. 23 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723121221/https://search.lib.byu.edu/byu/record/lee.1680375?holding=33qrilhmt4cax61k. live. Brigham Young University.
45. Book: 1972–1973 Relief Society Courses of Study . 1972 . LDS Church . 203 . Internet Archive.
46. Book: 1974–1975 Relief Society Courses of Study . 1974 . LDS Church . 191 . Internet Archive.
47. News: Samantha. Allen. Tim Ferriss Is Bro Culture's Anti-Masturbation Crusader. https://web.archive.org/web/20170504194428/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/01/tim-ferriss-is-bro-culture-s-anti-masturbation-crusader.html. 2017-05-04. The Daily Beast. August 1, 2014. April 3, 2023. live.
48. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. LDS Church 'retires' Mormon apostle's 'little factory' pamphlet . The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. November 14, 2016. February 23, 2023.
49. Smith. Wilford E.. Mormon Sex Standards on College Campuses, or Deal Us Out of the Sexual Revolution!. Dialogue. Fall 1976. 10. 2. 77. 11614391. 22 November 2016. 14 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121114181325/http://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V10N02_78.pdf#page=2. live. Internet Archive.
50. Wesley Jr. . W. Craig . January 1980 . Counseling the LDS Single Adult Masturbator: Successful Application of Social Learning Theory: A Case Study . Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy . . 6 . 1 . 2–5 . Brigham Young University.
51. Kimball. Spencer. Spencer W. Kimball. President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality. Ensign. 1980. 2019-07-16. 2019-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603234853/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1980/11/president-kimball-speaks-out-on-morality?lang=eng. live. Internet Archive.
52. Bingham . Ronald D. . Potts. Richard W.. 1993 . Homosexuality: An LDS Perspective . Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy . Association of Latter-day Saint Counselors and Psychotherapists. 19 . 1 . 9 . Brigham Young University.
53. Maza. Christina. Masturbation Will Make You Gay, Warns Leaked Mormon Church Document. Newsweek. 14 December 2017. 15 December 2017. 16 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171216022751/http://www.newsweek.com/masturbation-gay-leaked-mormon-church-lgtb-religion-sex-748201. live. Internet Archive.
54. News: Gutierrez. Lisa. Masturbation, sharing beds lead to homosexuality, according to leaked Mormon teachings. The Sacramento Bee. McClatchy Company. 16 December 2017. 24 December 2017. 24 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224162826/http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article190142459.html. live. Internet Archive.
55. Book: Homosexuality. 1981. LDS Church . 6–7. Salt Lake City . . 22 November 2016. 17 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180117005434/https://search.lib.byu.edu/byu/record/lee.786190?holding=ey812d1gmuud6iry. live.
56. Book: Smith. George D.. Bergera. Gary James. Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of Conscience. 1994. Signature Books. 978-1-56085-048-9. 102. By 1980 costs for the proposed defense of church teachings had reached close to $150,000, and some church authorities had become “squeamish' over the issue ... Bergin eventually bowed out of the project, and the completed work, a more general treatment of 'Human Intimacy: Illusion and Reality', published in 1981, listed Brown as its only author.. Internet Archive.
57. . Brown Jr.. Victor L.. A Better Me, a Better Marriage. LDS Church. 2019-07-16. 2020-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125204845/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1985/08/a-better-me-a-better-marriage-developing-emotional-integrity?lang=eng. live.
58. Swedin. Eric G.. 'One Flesh:' A Historical Overview of Latter-day Saint Sexuality and Psychology. Dialogue. Winter 1998. 31. 4. 6. 14 November 2016. 2 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002211/https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V31N04_17.pdf. live.
59. Book: Brown Jr.. Victor. Human Intimacy: Illusion & Reality. 1981. Parliament Publishers. 73–75. 9780884944416. Another example of the lust illusion is careless acceptance of masturbation as an inconsequential natural function. … For example, a current myth claims that masturbation is both therapeutic and necessary. … Thus, habitual, obsessive results in a self-focused addiction that can be detrimental to intimacy. It is an emotional narcotic; like a drug-induced high, it creates a temporary escape but leaves the person depressed. … Unable to obtain physical and emotional rewards in other ways, the habitual masturbator resorts to self-manipulation. … Habitual masturbation, whether practiced alone or jointly in an emotionless but technically skilled mutual orgasm, is lust. It permits the person(s) to avoid the complexities and forces him to forego the rewards of intimate relationships. Allied with fantasy it creates a world in which reality never requires an accounting. This is well known to publishers of such soft-core pornography as Playboy and similar magazines, long used as literal visual aids to masturbation. As a consequence the individual cannot develop the attitudes and behaviors which will help him develop and retain close and rewarding relationships. Masturbation’s consequences are social-emotional isolation and erotic obsession.. Google Books.
60. Forum Discusses Suicide Prevention Among Mormons. Sunstone. December 2002. 125. 79. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311220559/https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/issues/125.pdf. live. March 11, 2023. April 3, 2023. Internet Archive.
61. Taylor. Mark A.. Sin and Death in Mormon Country: A Latter-day Tragedy. April 1986. Hustler. 44–94. 3 February 2017.
62. News: Father's Lawsuit Blames LDS for Son's Suicide. Salt Lake Tribune. 4 March 1982. C2. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404033134/https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29067206. April 4, 2023. live. University of Utah. April 4, 2023.
63. Web site: Benson. Ezra. What Manner of Men Ought We to Be?. LDS church. A priesthood holder is virtuous. ... He will not commit adultery “nor do anything like unto it.” (D&C 59:6.) This means fornication, homosexual behavior, self-abuse, child molestation, or any other sexual perversions.. 2019-07-16. 2020-07-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705054158/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1983/10/what-manner-of-men-ought-we-to-be?lang=eng. live. Internet Archive.
64. . Cline . Victor . Obscenity— . LDS Church . April 1984 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-11-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201125141913/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1984/04/obscenity-how-it-affects-us-how-we-can-deal-with-it?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
65. Book: A Parent's Guide. Teaching Adolescents: from Twelve to Eighteen Years. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/a-parents-guide/chapter-5?lang=eng. LDS Church. 9 February 2017. April 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413061939/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/a-parents-guide/chapter-5?lang=eng. dead. Internet Archive.
66. Book: Relief Society Courses of Study 1985. 1985 . LDS Church . 109, 117–118 . Internet Archive.
67. . de Azevedo . Lex . A Closer Look at Popular Music . LDS Church . March 1985 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041201/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1985/03/a-closer-look-at-popular-music?lang=eng . live .
68. Web site: Burton. Theodore. Love and Marriage. Brigham Young University. 3 June 1986. The use of pornography is a basic sin that leads to self-abuse, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, child and spouse abuse, incest, rape, and cruelty. No love ever develops out of pornography, only self-gratification. ... Although repentance is possible, it must be sincere and requires a considerable period of time to make that change permanent.. 27 November 2017. 18 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171118124730/https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/theodore-m-burton_love-marriage/. live. Internet Archive.
69. Book: Von Harrison. Grant. Is Kissing Sinful?. limited. Google Books. 1986. Publishers Book Sales. 9780942241020. 4.
70. Web site: Benson. Ezra. Godly Characteristics of the Master. LDS church. October 1986. [A virtuous priesthood holder] will not commit adultery 'nor do anything like unto it'. This means fornication, homosexual behavior, self-abuse, child molestation, or any other sexual perversion. . 2020-07-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705034027/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1986/10/godly-characteristics-of-the-master?lang=eng. live. Internet Archive.
71. Sumerau . J. Edward . Cragun . Ryan T. . August 2014 . 'Why Would Our Heavenly Father Do that to Anyone': Oppressive Othering through Sexual Classification Schemes in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints . . 37 . 3 . 14 . 10.1002/symb.105 . 0195-6086 . ResearchGate.
72. Web site: Burton . Theodore . Love and Marriage . . 3 June 1986 . 27 November 2017 . 18 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171118124730/https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/theodore-m-burton_love-marriage/ . live . Internet Archive.
73. . Burton . Theodore . A Marriage to Last through Eternity . LDS Church . June 1987 . 2019-07-16 . 2021-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210316160816/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1987/06/a-marriage-to-last-through-eternity?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
74. . Scoresby. A. Lynn. Teaching Children about Physical Development. LDS Church. 2019-07-16. 2020-10-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20201024121529/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1988/06/teaching-children-about-physical-development?lang=eng. live. Internet Archive.
75. Streeter . Adam . 2012-09-15 . Sins of a good Mormon boy . Salon.
76. Book: For the Strength of Youth. 1990. LDS Church. Salt Lake City. 7. Issuu.
77. Book: LDS Church. 2019-07-16. 2019-11-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20191122153817/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/marriage-and-family-relations-instructors-manual/part-b-parents-responsibilities-to-strengthen-families/lesson-14-teaching-gospel-principles-to-children-part-2?lang=eng&clang=tam. live. Internet Archive. Marriage and Family Relations Instructor's Manual. Teaching Gospel Principles to Children, Part 2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/marriage-and-family-relations-instructors-manual/part-b-parents-responsibilities-to-strengthen-families/lesson-14-teaching-gospel-principles-to-children-part-2?lang=eng&clang=tam.
78. Book: Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems. 1992. LDS Church. 3 November 2016. 29 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160929062612/http://www.qrd.org/qrd/religion/judeochristian/protestantism/mormon/mormon-homosexuality. live. Queer Resources Directory.
79. . Marsh . Jeffrey . Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery . LDS Church . July 1994 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200715225012/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1994/07/thou-shalt-not-commit-adultery?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
80. Book: Family Home Evening Resource Book. Teaching about Procreation and Chastity . https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/family-home-evening-resource-book/building-a-strong-family/teaching-about-procreation-and-chastity?lang=eng . LDS Church . 1997 . 2019-07-16 . 2019-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190810003335/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/family-home-evening-resource-book/building-a-strong-family/teaching-about-procreation-and-chastity?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
81. Book: Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A . Moral Cleanliness . https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-a/gospel-principles-and-doctrines/lesson-34-moral-cleanliness?lang=eng . LDS Church . 2000 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000844/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-a/gospel-principles-and-doctrines/lesson-34-moral-cleanliness?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
82. Book: Wilcox. Brad. Growing Up: Gospel Answers About Maturation and Sex. June 2000. . 9781573458214. 104. Google Books. limited.
83. . Hanson . Kaye . For the Strengthening of Youth . LDS Church . September 2000 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024736/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/09/for-the-strengthening-of-youth?lang=eng . live . Internet Archive.
84. Book: Kamen . Paula . Her Way: Young Women Remake the Sexual Revolution . 1 Nov 2000 . . New York City . 9780814747339 . 83. registration. .
85. Book: For the Strength of Youth . LDS Church . Salt Lake City. 26 . 8 . 15 November 2016 . 8 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190608111729/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth/sexual-purity?lang=eng . dead . 2001.
86. Book: For the Strength of Youth. Fall 2011. LDS Church. Salt Lake City. 36. 9781465107664 . 9. Google Books. 15 November 2016. 28 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191228004810/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/ForTheStrengthOfYouth-eng.pdf?lang=eng. live.
87. Packer, Boyd . 2 February 2003 . The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character . 33:00 . Provo, Utah. LDS Church .
88. Web site: The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character. Brigham Young University. https://web.archive.org/web/20180820074647/https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/boyd-k-packer_instrument-mind-foundation-character/ . 2018-08-20. live . February 2, 2003. .
89. Book: A Practitioner's Guide: Addiction to Masturbation and Pornography . 2004 . LDS Church . Salt Lake City.
90. Web site: A Practitioner's Guide for Masturbation/Pornography . https://web.archive.org/web/20121028014238/http://mentalhealthlibrary.info:80/library/add/addlds/addldsfamily/MastPorn/mastpornx.htm . 28 October 2012 . dead . Mental Health Resources Foundation. Reprinted with permission (see here).
91. Book: Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops. 2010. LDS church. Salt Lake City. 7.1.7. https://archive.today/20171115192344/https://www.lds.org/manual/handbook-1-stake-presidents-and-bishops/interviews-and-counseling/interviews-and-counseling?lang=eng. 15 November 2017. dead. Internet Archive.
92. Book: Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops. 2010. LDS church. Salt Lake City. 6.7.1. https://archive.today/20171115192358/https://www.lds.org/manual/handbook-1-stake-presidents-and-bishops/church-discipline-and-name-removal/church-discipline-and-name-removal?lang=eng. 15 November 2017. dead. Failure to Comply with Some Church Standards: A disciplinary council should not be held to discipline or threaten those who do not comply with the Word of Wisdom, who are struggling with pornography or self-abuse, or whose transgressions consist of omissions, such as failure to pay tithing, inactivity in the Church, or inattention to Church duties.. Internet Archive.
93. UtahValley. January 26, 2015. For the Strength of Youth: 1965 to Today. Olaveson. Breanna.
94. Cook . New Era. Loran . The Secret Enemy . LDS Church . February 2011 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200811192835/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2011/02/the-secret-enemy?lang=eng . live .
95. Web site: Callister. Ted. The Lord's Standard of Morality. BYU-Idaho. 2017-11-16. 2022-01-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116044226/https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2013_1_22_Callister.htm. live.
96. Welker . Holly . 2014-02-25 . 'The Lord's Standard of Morality' Promotes LDS Rape Culture . Religion Dispatches.
97. Ensign. Callister. Tad. The Lord's Standard of Morality. LDS Church. 4 February 2017. 21 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200121205240/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/03/the-lords-standard-of-morality?lang=eng. live.
98. Web site: The Power to Heal All: Joanne's Story . LDS Church . March 2015 . 2019-07-16 . 2019-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190810133240/https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org/spouses-and-families/stories/the-power-to-heal-all?lang=eng . live .
99. Web site: Moving in the Right Direction: Samuel's Story . LDS Church . March 2015 . 2019-07-16 . 2019-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190810123739/https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org/stories/moving-in-the-right-direction?lang=eng . live .
100. Web site: Bunker. Jeffery. Of Starfish and Destinies. Brigham Young University. 5 April 2016. 27 November 2017. 16 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116044323/https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffery-n-bunker/of-starfish-and-destinies/. live.
101. Web site: A Burden to No Longer Carry: Laura's Story . LDS Church . January 2017 . 2019-07-16 . 2019-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190810114536/https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org/stories/a-burden-to-no-longer-carry?lang=eng . live .
102. . Talley . Nanon . A Bridge to Hope and Healing . LDS Church . April 2017 . 2019-07-16 . 2021-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210423082810/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2017/04/a-bridge-to-hope-and-healing?lang=eng . live .
103. LDS Living. About LDS Living. . 2017-12-24. 2017-12-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20171217165258/http://www.ldsliving.com/about_us. live.
104. LDS Living. Streurer. Geoff. How to Talk to Your Kids About This Sensitive Chastity Topic. LDS Church. 27 July 2017. 24 December 2017. 12 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171112214536/http://www.ldsliving.com/How-to-Talk-to-Your-Kids-About-This-Sensitive-Chastity-Topic/s/85975. live.
105. The Church's Sexual Addiction Recovery Program . 2017 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium . 27 July 2018 . . . 14:30 . It got to the point now where I realized that the [LDS Addiction Recovery] program was not working for me ... I decided to disfigure my body to never feel sexual feeling again. ... I started looking for seedy doctors ... I didn't have money to go out of the country. So, based on those two facts I'm pretty sure those two facts kept me from going all the way. And I ended up finding a couple podcasts ... and finding a community of people that had the same pain that I did, and because of that I am not disfigured today. . 8 September 2018 . 9 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180909045253/https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/the-churchs-sexual-addiction-recovery-program/ . live .
106. . Thomson . Lisa Ann . Eight Strategies to Help Children Reject Pornography . LDS Church . August 2017 . 2019-07-16 . 2020-11-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108003310/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2017/08/eight-strategies-to-help-children-reject-pornography?lang=eng . live .
107. Thomas . Chris . Room 104's Gay Missionary Episode Tackles Mormonism & Masturbation . . Here Publishing . 8 September 2017 . 28 January 2019 . 28 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190128083057/https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2017/9/08/room-104s-gay-missionary-episode-tackles-mormonism-masturbation . live . Internet Archive.
108. News: Kuruvilla. Carol. Petition Calls On Mormon Church To Stop Letting Leaders Interview Kids About Sex. HuffPost. 13 December 2017. 14 December 2017. 14 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214011738/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/petition-mormon-interview-kids-about-sex_us_5a303261e4b091ca26835021. live.
109. News: Vaifanua. Tamara. Former LDS bishop calls for church leaders to stop interviewing teens about sexual practices. Fox13. KSTU. Tribune Broadcasting. 1 December 2017. 3 December 2017. 4 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204011734/http://fox13now.com/2017/12/01/former-lds-bishop-calls-for-church-leaders-to-stop-interviewing-teens-about-sexual-practices/. live.
110. News: Witham. Joseph. Former Mormon bishop asks church leaders to stop interviewing kids about sex behind closed doors. St. George News. 4 December 2017. He said he was surprised when he later learned that many churchgoers had been asked explicit questions about masturbation or sexual relationships in their youth. But he said the biggest shock came when he asked his now adult daughter if she had ever been asked by a church bishop if she masturbates. ... The interview questions inadvertently led his daughter to finding pornography after she looked up the meaning of masturbation ... others shared their own experience confirming that they were asked in their youth about sex and masturbation by church leaders.. 6 December 2017. 6 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171206181745/https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2017/12/04/jcw-former-lds-bishop-asks-church-leaders-to-stop-interviewing-kids-about-sex-behind-closed-doors/. live.
111. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. Some parents and therapists say Mormon bishops' interviews with children about sexual matters are 'intrusive, inappropriate'. The Salt Lake Tribune. 12 December 2017. ... [S]ome Mormons question whether the current interview system is the safest and soundest way to instill and enforce the faith’s moral standards—or whether it constitutes harassment itself. An online petition with more than 6,000 signatures urges [the LDS Church] 'to immediately cease the practice of subjecting children [ages 10 to 17] to questions about masturbation, orgasm, ejaculation, sexual positions or anything else of a sexual nature.' It further insists the Utah-based faith 'publicly disavow this practice.' Young believers talking about details of their sexual experience with bishops 'is intrusive, inappropriate and sends a mixed message regarding boundaries around sexual conversation with adult men,' says Julie de Azevedo Hanks, a Salt Lake City therapist, mom and wife of a newly named LDS bishop. 'In no other situation would a parent allow or encourage their minor child to have sexual conversations with an adult.'. 13 December 2017. 21 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121193209/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/12/12/all-the-buzz-about-sexual-harassment-has-some-mormons-wondering-if-bishops-interviews-go-too-far-and-need-reform/. live. Internet Archive.
112. Web site: Read The Stories. 2021-04-15. Protect LDS Children. en-US. 2021-04-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418035305/https://protectldschildren.org/read-the-stories-2/. live.
113. News: Witham . Joseph . Facing excommunication, former LDS bishop says Mormon leaders could learn from Catholic Church . St. George News . 31 August 2018 . 8 September 2018 . 9 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035554/https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2018/08/31/jcw-facing-excommunication-former-lds-bishop-says-mormon-leaders-could-learn-from-catholic-church/ . live .
114. News: 2018-11-13. Excommunication Still Stands For Sam Young, Mormon Church Says. 2021-04-15. KUER. en. 2021-04-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415222838/https://www.kuer.org/religion/2018-11-13/excommunication-still-stands-for-sam-young-mormon-church-says. live.
115. News: Hawkins. Eric. Statement from the LDS Church on Mormon bishops' interviews. Salt Lake Tribune. 12 December 2017. 13 December 2017. 14 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071751/http://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/12/12/statement-from-the-lds-church-on-mormon-bishops-interviews/. live.
116. News: Adnitt . Jo . Etutu . Joice . Mormon Church must end children's sexual interviews, members say . . . 1 July 2018 . 7 July 2018 . 19 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180719010645/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44644130?mc_cid=ac570af382&mc_eid=7bd263b041 . live .
117. News: Curtis . Larry D. . Victims speak: Sexually shamed as a child, LDS man struggled with self loathing . . . 17 August 2018 . 8 September 2018 . 9 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035400/https://kutv.com/news/local/victims-speak-sexual-shamed-as-a-child . live .
118. Web site: Curtis . Larry . Victims speak: Shame haunts woman for decades after bishop interview . . . 2018-08-17 . 2019-01-28 . 2019-01-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190128083114/https://kutv.com/news/local/victims-speak-shame-haunts-woman-for-decades-after-bishop-interview . live .
119. Web site: Stauffer . McKenzie . Former LDS Church bishop charged with sex abuse, lewdness . KUTV. . 13 December 2018 . 28 January 2019 . 28 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190128083012/https://kutv.com/news/local/former-lds-church-bishop-charged-with-sex-abuse-lewdness . live .
120. News: Latter-day Saints leaders release new missionary handbook . . . 15 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191117133702/https://www.abc4.com/news/religion/latter-day-saints-leaders-release-new-missionary-handbook/ . 17 November 2019 . live.
121. Pearson . Morgan . Talking to your kids about sexuality? These 5 takeaways from a new 'Ensign' article can help . July 28, 2020 . .
122. Ensign. Padilla-Walker. Laura M.. Jankovich. Meg O.. How, When, and Why: Talking to Your Children about Sexuality. 2022-01-18. LDS Church.
123. News: Stephenson . Kathy . April 16, 2021 . Latter-day Saint sex therapist plans to fight to keep her church membership . . 2023-04-03.
124. News: Washington Post. Pulliam Bailey. Sarah. Mormon sex therapist faces discipline and possible expulsion from the LDS Church. April 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417011658/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/04/16/mormon-sex-therapist-expulsion-lds/. April 17, 2021. Internet Archive. live. limited.
125. News: Washington Post. April 22, 2021. Pulliam Bailey . Sarah. Mormon sex therapist has been expelled from the LDS Church. https://web.archive.org/web/20221107112823/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/04/22/mormon-sex-therapist-expelled-lds-church/. November 7, 2022. Internet Archive. live. limited.
126. News: Salmin . Dee . What is 'Soaking' – the Mormon sex practise that's gone viral on TikTok? . February 28, 2023 . . Australian Broadcasting Company. 6 October 2021 . en-AU.