Birth Control

[_Zelder]

Church leaders used to advise against using birth control. Now they say nothing on the subject. Why the change?

I'm most interested in getting views from believers. Do you think they made a mistake in advising against using birth control and it took them some time to realize it was a mistake. Do you think they just caved into social pressure but deep in the heart of leadership they still think it's wrong. Or somthing else?

[Guest]

Actually, the Church states this...

"Decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple. Elective abortion as a method of birth control, however, is contrary to the commandments of God."

"The Church strongly discourages surgical sterilization as an elective form of birth control. Surgical sterilization should be considered only if (1) medical conditions seriously jeopardize life or health or (2) birth defects or serious trauma have rendered a person mentally incompetent and not responsible for his or her actions. Such conditions must be determined by competent medical judgment and in accordance with law. Even then, the persons responsible for this decision should consult with each other and with their bishop and should receive divine confirmation of their decision through prayer."

[_Zelder]

Actually, the Church states this...

"Decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple. Elective abortion as a method of birth control, however, is contrary to the commandments of God."

They used to feel a need to advise against it though. Did they realize this was a mistake and that some people should use birth control?

[_subgenius]

They used to feel a need to advise against it...

citations, please

[_Drifting]

They used to feel a need to advise against it...

citations, please

“Supreme happiness in marriage is governed considerably by a primary factor—that of the bearing and rearing of children. Too many young people set their minds, determining they will not marry or have children until they are more secure, until the military service period is over; until the college degree is secured; until the occupation is more well-defined; until the debts are paid; or until it is more convenient. They have forgotten that the first commandment is to ‘be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.’ ( Genesis 1:28 .) And so brides continue their employment and husbands encourage it, and contraceptives are used to prevent conception. Relatives and friends and even mothers sometimes encourage birth control for their young newlyweds. But the excuses are many, mostly weak. The wife is not robust; the family budget will not feed extra mouths; or the expense of the doctor, hospital, and other incidentals is too great; it will disturb social life; it would prevent two salaries; and so abnormal living prevents the birth of children. The Church cannot approve nor condone the measures which so greatly limit the family” ( Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 328–29).

[_mcjathan]

Church leaders used to advise against using birth control. Now they say nothing on the subject. Why the change?

I'm most interested in getting views from believers. Do you think they made a mistake in advising against using birth control and it took them some time to realize it was a mistake. Do you think they just caved into social pressure but deep in the heart of leadership they still think it's wrong. Or somthing else?

Anecdotal (but true) story here:
In approximately 2005 I served as the stake clerk in a married student stake in Logan, Utah. The stake consisted entirely of newly married university students. Most couples stayed in the stake for 1-2 years before moving on. In the entire stake, there were only a handful of children.

I was very surprised to hear leaders (both local and visiting general authorities) teach against birth control. This was not an isolated case – they taught against birth control repeatedly in ward and stake meetings.
I was very surprised because in my 25 years being married in Utah as a life-long, active Mormon I had never heard birth-control taught so often and openly in my other ward and stake meetings. Why the difference in a young married stake?

[_Drifting]

Church leaders used to advise against using birth control. Now they say nothing on the subject. Why the change?

I'm most interested in getting views from believers. Do you think they made a mistake in advising against using birth control and it took them some time to realize it was a mistake. Do you think they just caved into social pressure but deep in the heart of leadership they still think it's wrong. Or somthing else?

Anecdotal (but true) story here:
In approximately 2005 I served as the stake clerk in a married student stake in Logan, Utah. The stake consisted entirely of newly married university students. Most couples stayed in the stake for 1-2 years before moving on. In the entire stake, there were only a handful of children.

I was very surprised to hear leaders (both local and visiting general authorities) teach against birth control. This was not an isolated case – they taught against birth control repeatedly in ward and stake meetings.
I was very surprised because in my 25 years being married in Utah as a life-long, active Mormon I had never heard birth-control taught so often and openly in my other ward and stake meetings. Why the difference in a young married stake?

They have seen the long term forecasts for active membership and tithing returns. Newly young marrieds are the best hope they have for increasing both. But only if they can convince them to get jiggy with it, and quickly.

[_Buffalo]

They have seen the long term forecasts for active membership and tithing returns. Newly young marrieds are the best hope they have for increasing both. But only if they can convince them to get jiggy with it, and quickly.

Indeed. The only way to get people to stick with Mormonism is to brainwash them into it from childhood. That way, even when they realize later that there are serious problems with it (usually in their seminary years), the thought of leaving will provide them too much emotional discomfort, and they bury their doubts.

[_Zelder]

They used to feel a need to advise against it...

citations, please

Here is a handfull.

http://www.lds-mormon.com/birth.shtml

[_MCB]

If they taught against artificial birth control, then couples would have to use methods based on the woman's natural fertility cycle. This means that women would have the right to decline or initiate sex. That goes in the face of LDS teachings about sexuality.