Is masturbating bad for a mormon?

Question

Ok this is a weird question for me to ask but im 19 years old and a mormon i believe in my church and everything. But i just recently found out our church was against masturbation i had no idea that we were anyways. Im a virgin i don't watch porn and i don't plan on getting married until probably my late 20's so is this really that bad?

Answer 1

It is discouraged, but it's sin status isn't really stated. It's more of a personal matter (in all senses). The reason it is discouraged is because it often is accompanied by pornography, which can be addictive (as can masterbation to it). When you get involved in pornography you become attracted to certain things and have certain desires, some of which may never be met by a woman whom you may someday marry. Pornography can detract from a marriage/relationship (if you're masterbating to the porn and then don't participate sexually with your wife it could cause her distress and raise a barrier between the two). I have a friend who got divorced because he was addicted to pornography; it drove him and his wife apart. That being said, I honestly don't think a little release here and there is that bad, but you should be cautious where your thoughts lead you, because in the Mormon faith we are clearly judged on our thoughts also.

With addictive matters in general, the reason the Church is against them is because one of our main purposes in life is to overcome the self or the body. Masterbation is essentially giving into the flesh.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It's still a sin. It's a sin to "lust after another" and you're probably not thinking of your favorite hymn during that activity. So no, you're not looking at porn, but part of the problem in porn is that the lust leads you to physical actions and those lead to other physical actions, so it's like you skipped step #1 and went right to #2 and then question if it was okay - clearly it's not. You're on the same path that you would be for pornography and sexual sin, in fact it could be argued that you're ahead of where you otherwise would be. It's showing a lack of control over your own body and will put you on a course where an appetite will only increase out of the time frame where it could be healthy. You probably don't need to talk to your bishop IF you can stop it on your own, that one is sort of iffy - however if you have any issues in stopping it I'd talk to somebody about it. If you talk with your Bishop expect a very round-about talk from him, this isn't an issue that he would go into any detail with, just advice to help you stop and accountability in talking to him in the future about it meaning the following weeks he's likely just say "how are you doing" and "good" means good! In any case, it is wrong, and you probably already knew that before asking this. Edit @ Adler - that's way off! You're saying that it's just cultural ritual that we can't, so we shouldn't follow cultural ritual, then suggest that she's unclean following Jewish cultural ritual? That's so contradictory it makes no sense. I also find it more than odd that you are asking a young girl to email you about a topic that sensitive. In many ways you are wrong.

Answer 3

The LDS church places emphasis on 'worthiness', and makes it an impossible standard. Read the BoM, and pray if it's true but didn't get the warm fuzzies? Obviously you need to fast and pray and read more scripture. Still not getting personal revelation? Then you're surely influenced by Satan, will never hold a position above Elder's Quorum Secretary, and you're doomed to outer darkness.
Until you realize J Smith was a fraud and Boyd KKK Packer is a white supremist control freak. Then you can get on with a real life. This church controls how you comb your hair, where you can grow it, and the kind of underwear you have.

Answer 4

There's a great pamphlet from Elder Packer (I think) titled "For Young Men Only." You should ask your Bishop for a copy.

It pretty much explains that masturbation is WRONG. God has provided for natural ways for the male body to relieve the stress. This is called "nocturnal releases" or more commonly 'wet dreams.'

No matter what society says, you and I know that God's law is higher than man's law. You should not have sexual relations with anyone but your wife (for women, your husband) who you are legally and lawfully married to. You are not your own spouse, so masterbating is wrong.

Answer 5

You need to read what the Presidency of the church has said regarding this matter - try reading in True to the Faith or For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. It is sexual in nature and self-gratifying, I am sure every guy does it but really you aren't supposed to.

Answer 6

IF you are truely a Mormon,then you should be familiar with the story about spilling your seed on the ground.Pulling your taffy is wasting seed.Seed is for procreation not recreation.But then,I've been going to Hell in a hand-basket anyway,so let the good times roll.As an aside;You know some people think I'm daffy 'cause I like to pull my taffy?*LINK*

Answer 7

Yeah the LDS are really against it.

I'm a former member and I always thought this was kind of silly. Although there are studies that suggest that the habitual nature of many who masturbate cause them to do it more and more frequently.

Also some psychologists believe, just like pornography, that it causes the participant to devalue his partner (although you yet have one).

Pray to God for final decision.

But personally, just one man to another, I think this is just another way for the cronies in SLC to control your life. Please start thinking for yourself. Utilize that personal relationship with your creator and don't let Gordon B. Hinckley dictate every facet in your life!

God Bless You.

Answer 8

Yes. It's very hard to gain self-mastery if you give in to satisfying physical urges.
I would think you might need to talk to you Bishop or look into some talks written about this.

Answer 9

Masterbation is a sin of lust. It can, and often does lead to more serious sexual sin. "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly" and "no unpure thing can enter the kingdom of my father".

It is a sin, it does require repentance.

Answer 10

Is the Church willing to masturbate you instead?