by W. John Walsh

The Churches teaches that self-stimulation, or masturbation, is sin.   President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

"Masturbation, a rather common indiscretion, is not approved of the Lord nor of his church, regardless of what may have been said by others whose "norms" are lower. Latter-day Saints are urged to avoid this practice. Anyone fettered by this weakness should abandon the habit before he goes on a mission or receives the holy priesthood or goes in the temple for his blessings.

Thus prophets anciently and today condemn masturbation. It induces feelings of guilt and shame. It is detrimental to spirituality. It indicates slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life. ...

While we should not regard this weakness as the heinous sin which some other sexual practices are, it is of itself bad enough to require sincere repentance." (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.282)

If you are a Church member and are having difficulty stopping this practice, then you should discuss the matter with your Bishop who can counsel you on how to overcome your addiction.

(See Daily Living home page; Dating and Courtship home page; Teachings About Sexuality home page)