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INTIMACYINMarriage!
https://www.
youtube.
com/watchv=Xp-jZyzQSmsTheHoneymoon!
HowmanyofyouarenervousorafraidofyourhoneymoonWhyMostcoupleslookforwardtotheweddingnightandthehoneymoonwithgreatanticipation,andprobablysomenervousness,orevenfear.
Theywonder,"WillIknowwhattodowhenthetimecomesforsex""WillIbeabletopleasemyspouse""Willmyspousebepatientwithme""Willitbeacomfortableexperienceforbothofus"Whenapproachedproperly,mostcoupleswillfindtheweddingnighttobeasexcitingandenjoyableastheyimagined.
However,forsomecouplestheweddingnightisnotapleasantormemorableexperience.
Thisisusuallyduetothelackofproperpreparationandtounrealisticexpectations.
Thecoupleshouldnotworryaboutnotknowingeverythingaboutsexbeforemarriage!
Onepurposeofthehoneymoonistodiscoverittogether.
Itisnormaltohavemanyquestionsandanxieties.
Remember,though,thatsexualintimacyisajourney,notadestination,andthediscoveryitselfisamemorablepartoftheadventure.
Don'texpectperfection.
Partoftheenjoymentofsexualintimacyislearningtogetherhowtopleaseeachotherandthenwatchingthatpartofyourrelationshipgrowandimproveovertime.
Focusonyourpartner,ratherthanyourself.
Itmayalsobegoodadviceforsometolightenup.
Don'tbeafraidtolaughatyourself.
Lookforallthewaysyoucantocomplimentandencourageyourpartner.
Remember,sexualintimacythrivesinanenvironmentoftrustandencouragement.
Howmanyreferencesunder"sex"arethereintheTopicalGuideAgoodsexualrelationshipbeginsoutsidethebedroom!
Itisinterestingtonotethatnowhereinscripturedowefindtheword"sex.
"Thescripturesusethewords"know"or"knew.
""AndAdamknewEvehiswife;andsheconceived,andbare[ason]"(Genesis4:1).
Thewords"know"and"knew"suggestthatintimacyisfarmorethanjustaphysicalact.
Itinvolvedknowingeachotherspirituallyandemotionally.
Thesexualunionwillbemostsatisfyingandgratifyingwhenitisaharmonizingofthephysical,spiritual,andemotionaldimensionsofahusbandandwife.
ElderPackersaid,"Whenenteredintoworthily,…maritalintimacycombinesthemostexquisiteandexaltedphysical,emotional,andspiritualfeelingsassociatedwiththewordlove.
Thosefeelingsandthelife-longneedforoneanotherbindahusbandandwifetogetherinmarriage"(TheFountainofLife,"EternalMarriagestudentmanual,142).
TheLordcondemnsmisuseofphysicalintimacyinthemarriagerelationship.
Don'teveraskyourspousetodoanythingthattheyareuncomfortabledoing!
Alma18:17Whatsoeverthoudesirestwhichisright,thatwillIdo!
Intheirbook"BetweenHusbandandWife,"StephenLambandDouglasBrinleystated:"Itisanicedistractionfrompayingthemortgage,earningaliving,keepingthecarsrunning,payingthebills,anddealingwiththechildren…Itisrelaxingandpleasurableforcouplestomassage,stimulate,andarouseeachother.
Thesepassions,whenkeptwithintheboundsofpropriety,becomesanctifyingandenrichingtoeachspouseandtothemarriage"(ibid,24).
ElderPackersaid:"Imustincludeacautiontoyouwhoaremarried.
Acouplemaybetemptedtointroducethingsintoarelationshipwhichareunworthy.
Donot,asthescriptureswarn,'changethenaturaluseintothatwhichisagainstnature'(Rom.
1:26).
Ifyoudo,thetempterwilldriveawedgebetweenyou.
Ifsomethingunworthyhasbecomepartofyourrelationship,don'teverdoitagain!
Now,whatexactlydoImeanbythatYouknowwhatImeanbythat,andIwillnotrespondtoanyquestionsaboutit.
Wedonot,inourcounseling,enterthebedroomsofmembersoftheChurch"("FountainofLife").
Sexualintimacyisavitalpartofthemarriagerelationshipbecauseitkeepsyouconnectedinawaythatnothingelsecan.
Whenenjoyedbybothpartners,intimacybecomesaphysicalrenewalofyourloveforeachother.
It'samazinghowmuchbetterthingsgoineveryotherpartofourmarriageifwetakethetimeforsomesexualintimacy.
Bothseemtobehappierandtreateachotherwithgreatertendernessandcaringwhenyoutaketimetobeintimate.
Neverwithholdsexasapunishmentoruseittomanipulateasameanstogetwhatyouwantratherthanasafulfillmentoflove.
Whencomparedwiththerestofyourdayorweek,yoursexualencountersarebutasmallmoment.
Thepowerfulandlastingeffectthatthosefewminuteshaveontherestoftheday,theweek,themonth,isincredible.
Whatifthemanwantsitallthetime,butthewomandoesn'tTheAmericanJournalofObstetricsandGynecologyreportedthe"Perhaps75percentofallwomenderivelittleornopleasurefromthesexualact(Tim&BeverlyLaHaye,TheActofMarriage,rev.
ed.
(GrandRapids,MI:Zonderman,1998),152).
Theimportanceofwhatshefeelsinherheartmustfirstbeunderstoodbeforeshecanacceptanypartofwhatshecanfeelfromyourtouch.
Theremaybetimeswhenyoufeeloverwhelmedbyheremotionalresponsesandhowlongsheseemstoholdontothem.
Thatisnormal.
Godcreatedthiswholeprocessandmeantforyoutoenjoyitasmuchasyourhusband.
I'mconvincedHewillhelpyoufindthatenjoymentifyouaskHimforhelp.
Noticethethingsyoulikeaboutthemandtellthem.
Ignoretherest,noneofusisperfect.
Womenneedassuredprivacy.
Thedoorhastobelocked.
Don'tgiveherabadtimeaboutit,justlockthedoor.
WhyMenWanttoMakeLoveSoOften:Lovehimthewayheis,andneedingtohavesexmoreoftenthanyouispartofthewayheis.
Hedidn'tplanitthatway.
ADivineCreatordid.
Thereofcourseneedstobeabalance.
Remember,sexualintimacydoesnotalwaysmeansexualintercourse.
Shelikestobeheld.
Sometimesshejustwantsabackrub.
It'samazinghowfewcouplesactuallytalkabouttheirsexualneedswitheachother.
Lovedoesnotforce.
Eachpartnermustbeconsiderateandsensitivetotheother'sneedsanddesires.
Menandwomenhavethephysicalcapacitytosustainarichsexlifeintooldage.
PresidentKimballsaid,"Sexualrelationsinmarriagearenotunrestrained.
Evenmarriagedoesnotmakepropercertainextremesinsexualindulgence…Ifitisunnatural,youjustdon'tdoit.
Thatisall…Therearesomepeoplewhohavesaidthatbehindthebedroomdoorsanythinggoes.
ThatisnottrueandtheLordwouldnotcondoneit"(TeachingsofSpencerW.
Kimball,311-12).
ThePurposesofIntimacyinMarriage:PresidentEzraTaftBensonsaid:"SexwascreatedandestablishedbyourHeavenlyFatherforsacred,holy,andhighpurposes"(TeachingsofEzraTaftBenson,409).
PresidentKimballsaid:"Sexisforprocreationandexpressionoflove.
Itisthedestinyofmenandwomentojointogethertomakeeternalfamilyunits.
Inthecontextoflawfulmarriage,theintimacyofsexualrelationsisrightanddivinelyapproved.
Thereisnothingunholyordegradingaboutsexualityinitself,forbythatmeansmenandwomenjoininaprocessofcreationandinanexpressionoflove"(TeachingsofSpencerW.
Kimball,311).
Pleasureandjoy!
Anotherpurposeofintimacyinmarriageisforpleasureandjoy.
Marriageishard.
Ittakesagreatdealofeffortandworktosustainasuccessfulmarriage.
Godprovidedsexualintimacyasameansofprovidingenjoymentordiversionfromtheworkanddifficultiesoflife.
Itisawaytokeeporrestoretheplayfulnessinmarriage.
Itistherapeutic.
In"AParent'sGuide,"publishedbytheChurchin1985,itreads:"Husbandsandwivesdohavephysicalandemotionalneedsthatarefulfilledthroughsexualunion…Becomingasonefleshcanbeoneoflife'srichestandmostrewardingexperiences"(AParent'sGuide,49).
Asyouprepareformarriageandthesexualintimacythatwillbeanimportantpartofyourrelationship,considerthefollowingfivepoints:First,sexualintimacywillbeasenjoyableasthemarriageisstrongandhealthy.
Marriagecounselorshaveobservedthatsexualproblemsinmarriagearemerelysymptomaticofunderlyingproblemsintheoverallrelationship.
Ifthemarriageishealthy,enjoyablemaritalintimacyismorelikelytobeachieved.
Second,gainbasicknowledgeofhumansexuality.
LambandBrinleysuggestyoushould"knowsomebasicfactsaboutmaleandfemalebiology.
Mostofusareprettyilliteratebeforemarriagewhenitcomestothesexualfunctioningoftheoppositegender,andevenofourownbodilyresponses.
Itishelpfulforbothhusbandsandwivestohaveatleastarudimentaryunderstandingofhumananatomyandphysiologyandabasicknowledgeofwhathappensbefore,during,andaftersexualintercourse.
Althoughmostcouples,intime,figureoutthesethingsontheirown,themarriagecanbenefitgreatlyfromsomesimpleeducationinadvance"(28-29).
Youmaywanttopickupthebook,"BetweenHusbandandWife"(LambandBrinley).
Third,sexualintimacywillbemostfulfillingandmostenjoyableinmarriagewhenthereisanenvironmentoftrust,freefromphysical,psychological,andspiritualbarriers.
Physicalbarriersincludehealthconditionsthatcouldcauseintercoursetobepainful.
Itiswiseforwomentohaveapre-maritalexamtoensurethattherearenoexistinghealthconditionsthatcouldinterferewithintimacy.
Fourth,understandthatingeneralmenandwomendifferintheirperceptionsandapproachestointimacy.
Sexdriveisgenerallyhigherinmenthanitisinwomen.
WhyBecauseoftheinfluenceoftestosteroneinthebrain.
Fifth,"frequencyofhavingsex.
"Intheearlyyearsofmarriagethisisprobablythemostcommonproblem.
Mostcoupleswonderwhatisnormalorright.
Whatisnormalorrightforonecouplemaynotbenormalorrightforanothercouple.
Eachcouplemustdiscovertogetherwhattheirneedsandwantsareandthenworktogethertofulfilltheneedsandwantsoftheirpartner.
Frequencywilldependuponageandcircumstances.
Aseconddifferencecanbeseenintheemphasisplacedonsexinmarriage.
Ithasbeensaidthat:"Mengivelovetogetsexwhilewomengivesextogetlove.
"Menoftenhavedifficultyunderstandingwhytheirwivesarelessinterestedinsexualintimacythantheyare.
Theymayfeelasenseofrejectionwhentheirwivesarenotinterestedormayfeelthattheirwivesarebeinginsensitive.
Ontheotherhand,womenoftenhavedifficultyunderstatingwhytheirhusbandswantsomuchsexandwhytheyarenotcontenttobephysicallyclose.
Theyfeelusedandunappreciated.
Thesedifferencesoftenstemfromalackofunderstandingoftheoppositesexandfromalackofclearcommunication.
Someoneoncesaid:Whenyou're25it's"tri-weekly.
"Whenyou're50it's"tryweekly.
"Whenyou'reseventy-five,it's"tryweakly!
"Keepinmindthatphysicalintimacydoesnotjustmeanintercourse.
Evenwhenintercourseisnotdesirableorpossible,husbandsandwivesstillneedtobephysicallyclose.
Thereisstillaneedfortouching,hugging,kissing,etc.
So,ifintercourseisnotdesired,maketheefforttoestablishphysicalclosenessinsomeotherway.
Couplesneedtoconnectphysicallyinsomeway,everyday.
Thesedifferencespresenttwochoicestohusbandsandwives.
Forexample,awomanwhosehusbandtendstorushthroughsexcaneitherresenthisinsensitivityandaccusehimofbeingselfishorshecanappreciatehisdifferentbiologicalandculturaltendenciesandseektopatientlyteachhimtoslowdown.
Amanwhosewifeisreluctanttoengageinsexualrelationscaneitherbeoffendedandfeelhiswifeisuncaringandfrigid,orcanlookforwaystohelpherfeelmorecomfortablewiththeirsexualrelationshipandtoprovidemorenon-sexualintimacy.
Anotherdifferencebetweenmenandwomenhastodowithhowtheyrespondtosexualcues.
Menrespondmoretovisualcuesthandowomen.
Womenrespondmoretoemotionalcues,suchastenderness,kindwords,orhelpfulnessthanmendo.
Anotherdifferencebetweenmenandwomenisseenintheirapproachtointimacy.
Womenfindfulfillmentmorereadilythanmeninnonsexualphysicalcontactsuchasatenderembraceoragentletouch.
Whenitcomestosexualactivityitself,menoftenwanttorushthroughtheexperiencefasterthanwomen.
Womenneedmoretimeforarousal.
Manymenassumethatbecausetheyarearousedandreadyforsex,theirwivesmustbetoo.
Whenamarriageisbasedonmutualrespect,trust,opencommunication,andtenderness,itisnaturalformaritalpartnerstowanttoshareallaspectsofthemarriagewitheachother.
Thecapacityforonenessisgreatlyenhanced.
Butwhenbadfeelingsexistinamarriage,thenaturaltendencyistocreategreaterdistance,andoftentodecreaseordiscontinuephysicalintimacy.
ThisgenerallymakesmattersworseandopensthedoorforSatantotemptpartnersanddestroytheirmarriagethroughpornographyoradultery.
TheApostlePaultaughtthatifacoupletriestobekindandconsiderateofeachother,therewillbeanaturaldesireforphysicalintimacy.
Ifacoupledecidestoabstainforatime(sickness,pregnancy,etc.
),itshouldbebymutualconsent,andthenonlyforashortperiodoftime.
PresidentKimballsaid,"Infamilylife,menmustandshouldbeconsiderateoftheirwives,notonlyinthebearingofchildren,butincaringforthemthroughchildhood.
Themother'shealthmustbeconserved,andthehusband'sconsiderationforhiswifeishisfirstduty.
Self-controlmustbeadominantfactorintheirrelationships"(Ensign,Nov.
1976,6-7).
"Sexisanexpressionofloveinmarriagewhenthereiscleanlinessandsacrificeandselflessness…Sexwillcontinuetobeanexpressionofloveinmarriageifthereisanincreaseconstantlyofconfidence[trust]andunderstanding,offrequentandsincereexpressionsofappreciationandaffection.
Theremustbeaforgettingofselfandaconstantconcernfortheother.
"Withoutthosecharacteristics,sexualintimacybecomesanexpressionoflustratherthanlove,eveninmarriage!
PresidentHowardW.
Huntersaid,"Tendernessandrespect-neverselfishness-mustbetheguidingprinciplesintheintimaterelationshipbetweenhusbandandwife.
Eachpartnermustbeconsiderateandsensitivetotheother'sneedsanddesires…Keepyourselvesaboveanydomineeringorunworthybehaviorinthetender,intimaterelationshipbetweenhusbandandwife…Anydomineering,indecent,oruncontrolledbehaviorintheintimaterelationshipbetweenhusbandandwifeiscondemnedbytheLord"(Ensign,Nov.
1994,51).
ProcreationNogreaterprivilegeisgiventomoralbeingsthantoexercisetheirpowersofprocreationtobeco-creatorswithGod.
ElderPackertaught,"Thepowerofprocreationisnotanincidentalpartoftheplanofhappiness,itisthekey-theverykey[tohappiness]"("FoundationofLife").
ElderRichardG.
Scottsaid:"Anysexualintimacyoutsideofthebondsofmarriage---Imeananyintentionalcontactwiththesacred,privatepartsofanother'sbody,withorwithoutclothing-isasinandisforbiddenbyGod"(Ensign,Nov.
1994,38).
ElderPackersaid,"Purelovepresupposesthatonlyafterapledgeofeternalfidelity,alegalandalawfulceremony,andideallyafterthesealingordinanceinthetemple,arethoseprocreativepowersreleasedforthefullexpressionoflove.
Itistobesharedonlyandsolelywiththatonewhoisourcompanionforever"("FountainofLife").
Sexisablessinginmarriagebecauseitisanimportantexpressionoflove.
"Loveiscleanlinessandsacrificeandselflessness.
.
.
Forlovetocontinue,theremustbeanincreaseconstantlyofconfidenceandunderstanding,offrequentandsincereexpressionsofappreciationandaffection.
Theremustbeaforgettingofselfandaconstantconcernfortheother"(SpencerW.
Kimball,FaithPrecedestheMiracle,157-58).
Aswestrugglewiththechallengesofmortalitywillbechallengedemotionallyandspiritually.
Allofushavetimeswhenwefeelemotionallyorspirituallylow.
Weareallsubjecttostressandpressureanddisappointmentandfailure.
Inmarriagewehavetodealwithfinances,workpressures,raisingchildren,andthedaytodayirritationsthatnaturallycomewhenlivingwithsomeone24hoursaday.
Allofthesethings,andmanyothers,combinetoputastrainontheemotionalandspiritualbondsofmarriage.
Sexualintimacyisapowerfulwaytorepair,heal,andrebuildthosebonds.
ElderPackersaid,"Itisinterestingtoknowhowmanisputtogether-howincompleteheis.
Hiswholephysicalandemotionalandforthatmatter,spiritualnature,isformedinsuchawaythatitdependsuponasourceofencouragementandpowerthatisfoundinwoman.
Whenmanhasfoundhiswifeandcompanion,hehasinasensefoundtheotherhalfofhimself.
Hewillreturntoheragainandagainforthat[intimacy]thatexaltshismanhoodandstrengthenshimforthetestingthatlifewillgivehim"(Tribune,quotedinBetweenHusbandandWife,LambandBrinley,20).
Thatstatementisequallytrueforwomen.
Whenpulledapartemotionallyandspiritually,sexualintimacycanhelpdrawahusbandandwifebacktoeachother.
ElderBoydK.
Packersaid,"Therapidsweepingdeteriorationofvaluesinsocietyischaracterizednowbyapreoccupation-evenanobsession-withtheprocreativeact…Abstinencebeforemarriageandfidelitywithinareopenlyscoffedatasbeingoutofdate…modestyisallbutgone…Censorshipofanykindisforcedoffstageasaviolationofindividualfreedom.
Thatwhichshouldbeabsolutelyprivateisdisrobedandactedoutoncenterstage.
Intheshadowsbackstagewaitaddiction,pornography,perversion,infidelity,abortion,and-theugliestofthemall-incestandmolestation.
Allofthemareontheincrease.
Incompanywiththemnowisthepestilentdisease[ofAIDS],whichlikeabiblicalplague,threatensracesofmankind.
Infact,allofmankind.
Thephilosophieswhichoweconvergeallhaveonethingincommon:eitherbyinsinuationordeclarationtheyrejectGodasourcreator,asourFather,asourlawgiver"("TheFountainofLife,"BYU18StakeFireside,29March1992).
BirthControlinMarriageSeveralthingsseemtostandout,asimportant.
First,oneofourmostimportantresponsibilitiesonthisearthistomultiplyandreplenishtheearth.
PresidentJosephFieldingSmithsaid:"thereisnothingthatshouldbeheldingreatersacrednessthanthiscovenantbywhichthespiritsofmenareclothedwithmortaltabernacles"(DoctrinesofSalvation,2:87).
PresidentKimballsaid,"Toomanyyoungpeopletodaymarrywithaselfishmotive–theyareinterestedfirstinthemselves.
Themoreimportantpurposesofmarriage[suchasbearingandrearingchildren]areignoredforthelessimportant.
Familylifeissecondary.
Thecollegedegrees,theoccupation,thecomforts,[and]convenience[are]consideredfirst.
Tomanythereseemstobeatotalforgetfulnessofthepurposeofmarriageanditsresponsibilitiesandopportunities.
Andmanyyoungpeoplesettheirminds,determiningthattheywillnotmarryorhavechildrenuntiltheyaremoresecure,untilthemilitaryserviceperiodisover,untilthecollegedegreeissecured;untiltheoccupationismorewelldefined;untilthedebtsarepaid;oruntilitismoreconvenient.
"Theyhaveforgottenthatthefirstcommandmentisto'befruitfulandmultiplyandreplenishtheearthandsubdueit'(Gen.
1:28).
Andsobridescontinuetheiremploymentandhusbandsencourageit,andcontraceptivesareusedtopreventconception.
Relativesandfriendsandevenmotherssometimesencouragebirthcontrolfortheiryoungnewlyweds.
Buttheexcusesaremany,mostlyweak…TheChurchcannotapproveorcondonethemeasureswhichsogreatlylimitthefamily"(AddresstoSanAntonioRegionalConference,5December1977).
Dr.
HomerEllsworthsaid:"Manyofthedecisionswemakeinvolvetheapplicationofprincipleswherepreciseyes-and-noanswersarejustnotavailableinChurchhandbooks,meetings,oreventhescriptures.
Ourgrowthprocess,then,resultsfromweighingthealternatives,studyingthemattercarefully,andseekinginspirationfromtheLord…Itiscleartomethatthedecisionsregardingourchildren,whentohavethem,theirnumber,andallrelatedmattersandquestionscanonlybemadeafterrealdiscussionbetweenthemarriagepartnersandafterprayer…Intheprocessoflearningwhatisrightforyouatanyparticulartime,Ihavealwaysfoundithelpfultouseabasicmeasuringstick:IsitselfishIhaveconcludedthatmostofoursinsarereallysinsofselfness…"Butontheotherhand,weneedtobeafraidofstudyingthequestionfromimportantangles-thephysicalormentalhealthofthemotherandfather,theparents'capacitytoprovidebasicnecessities,andsoon.
Ifforcertainpersonalreasonsacoupleprayerfullydecidesthathavinganotherchildimmediatelyisunwise,themethodofspacingchildren-discountingpossiblemedicalorphysicaleffects-makeslittledifference.
Abstinence,ofcourse,isalsoaformofcontraception,andlikeanyothermethodithassideeffects,someofwhichareharmfultothemarriagerelationship…"Insearchingforwhatismostimportant,Ibelievethatweareaccountablenotonlyforwhatwedobutforwhywedoit…Thus,regardingfamilysize,spacingofchildrenand[othersuch]questions,weshoulddesiretomultiplyandreplenishtheearthastheLordcommandsus.
Inthatprocess,HeavenlyFatherintendsthatweusethefreeagencyhehasgiveninchartingawisecourseforourselvesandourfamilies.
Wegainthewisdomtochartthatwisecoursethroughstudy,prayer,andlisteningtothestillsmallvoicewithinus"("IHaveaQuestion,"EnsignAug.
1979,23-24).
Astothenumberofchildrenacoupleshouldhave,ElderDallinH.
Oaksofferedthefollowingcounsel:"HowmanychildrenshouldacouplehaveAlltheycancarefor!
Ofcourse,tocareforchildrenmeansmorethansimplygivingthemlife.
Childrenmustbeloved,nurtured,taught,fed,clothed,housed,andwellstartedintheircapacitiestobegoodparentsthemselves.
ExercisingfaithinGod'spromisestoblessthemwhentheyarekeepinghiscommandments,manyLatter-daySaintparentshavelargefamilies.
Othersseekbutarenotblessedwithchildrenorwiththenumberofchildrentheydesire.
Inamatterasintimateasthis,weshouldnotjudgeoneanother"(Ensign,November1993,75).
"ItistheprivilegeofmarriedcoupleswhoareabletobearchildrenofGod,whomtheyarethenresponsibletonurtureandrear.
ThedecisionastohowmanychildrentohaveandwhentohavethemisextremelyintimateandprivateandshouldbeleftbetweenthecoupleandtheLord.
Churchmembersshouldnotjudgeoneanotherinthismatter"(HandbookofInstructionsGivenbyPriesthoodLeaders158).
Husbandsandwivesshouldseekheavenlydirectionastheycounseltogether,consideringsuchfactorsasthephysical,mental,andemotionalhealthofbothmotherandfatherandtheircapacitytoprovidethebasicnecessitiesoflife.
Theymusttakethedecisiontheyfeelisrighttothelordandseekhisconfirmation.
Othersmay,andprobablywill,offercounsel,butultimatelyitisadecisionthatisleftbetweenthecoupleandtheLord.
Onlytheyhavetheprivilegeandbeartheresponsibilityofmakingthatdecision.
Abortion"Abortionisoneofthemostrevoltingandsinfulpracticesofthisday.
Membersmustnotsubmitto,beapartyto,orperformanabortion.
Theonlyexceptionsarewhen:Pregnancyhasresultedfromincestorrape.
Thelifeorhealthofthewomanisinjeopardyintheopinionofthecompetentmedicalauthority.
Thefetusisknown,bycompetentmedicalauthority,tohaveseveredefectsthatwouldnotallowthebabytosurvivebeyondbirth.
"Eveninthesecasesthecoupleshouldconsideranabortiononlyafterconsultingwitheachotherandtheirbishopandreceivingdivineconfirmationthroughprayer.
""Churchmemberswhoencourage,perform,orsubmittoanabortionaresubjecttoChurchdisciplineasappropriate.
PriesthoodleadersdealingwithabortionsshouldrememberthewordoftheLord,'Thoushaltnotsteal;neithercommitadultery,norkill,nordoanythinglikeuntoit'(D&C59:6).
Asfarashasbeenrevealed,apersonmayrepentandbeforgivenforthesinofabortion"(GeneralHandbookofInstructions11-4).