Difference between revisions of "Birth control"

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In the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints reproductice issues have been major sources of discussion.  As for Birth Control at present church handbook says it is the privelege of married couples to bring children into the world.  How many is between the husband and wife and lord.
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In Mormon beliefs, if a couple is able to, physically, it is their privilege to bring children into the world.  We have been commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, to bring children into the world.  Since Mormons believe that we all lived as spirits before we came to earth, to have children is to give spirits as we were mortal bodies, so they can also experience mortality.
  
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Of course Latter day saints beleive the lords servants are the same as the lord.  www.lightplanet.com has an explanation of birth control basically saying that the church is against it handbook was written to bishops and stake presidents who are not to check up on members on that on working mothers, sunday shopping, card playing and a list of other things.
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This is a sacred responsibility.  Church leaders do encourage couples not to procrastinate having children for selfish reasons. To have a family is a very high priority in the Mormon faith and children should be viewed as a blessing, and not a difficulty.
  
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Most early church leaders called it gross wickedness saying spirits could go were the gospel is not taught.  And you will reap sorrow by and by.  However even in strong denonciations husbands were counseled to be considerate of wives who bear the burden of raising the children and pains of pregnancy.  So for health reasons be careful.
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But how many children to have and when to have them (and even if to have them) is a matter of prayerful decision.  It is between the husband, the wife, and the Lord.  Health problems may make having children difficult, or even impossible.  There may be factors that make having children later rather than sooner a necessity.  The health of the mother should always, always be a priority.  Again, this is a private matter and a matter for prayer.
  
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Not much has been said recently in conference on that matter.  However at firesides at church schools many brethern counseled against it.  For example at byu idaho in january of 2002 C scott Grow railed on people putting off marriage, and parenthood and limiting posterity.  In a May 2004 ces fireside Earl C Tingey said Couples who put off having children may have regrets.  And in a February 2005 fireside Russell M Nelson said think about it at first.  There have been lds people that "need to get to know each other get used to each other ca't afford it not ready for kids.  Who feel that way."  However there is no evidence that there is any more marital damage or danger of having a baby right away or intentionally putting it off for those reasons.  Besides in the end most people are grateful even in difficult circumstances they brought a child into the world.
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Couples should also remember that the purpose of sexual relations is not only to have children, but to come closer as a couple.   
  
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There is no church reprocussions for people that use birth control.  However most talks by General Authorities discourage it.  Though many will ask as many people as they want find the answer they want and filter out what they don't want.  Sterilization is strongly discouraged still.
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Birth control, in short, is not banned by the Church, nor is it considered the same as abortion (at all).  Whether to use it or not is a matter that the couple can prayerfully and privately consider.

Revision as of 11:58, 22 January 2007

In Mormon beliefs, if a couple is able to, physically, it is their privilege to bring children into the world. We have been commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, to bring children into the world. Since Mormons believe that we all lived as spirits before we came to earth, to have children is to give spirits as we were mortal bodies, so they can also experience mortality.

This is a sacred responsibility. Church leaders do encourage couples not to procrastinate having children for selfish reasons. To have a family is a very high priority in the Mormon faith and children should be viewed as a blessing, and not a difficulty.

But how many children to have and when to have them (and even if to have them) is a matter of prayerful decision. It is between the husband, the wife, and the Lord. Health problems may make having children difficult, or even impossible. There may be factors that make having children later rather than sooner a necessity. The health of the mother should always, always be a priority. Again, this is a private matter and a matter for prayer.

Couples should also remember that the purpose of sexual relations is not only to have children, but to come closer as a couple.

Birth control, in short, is not banned by the Church, nor is it considered the same as abortion (at all). Whether to use it or not is a matter that the couple can prayerfully and privately consider.

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