User:MilkyWay164/Views on birth control in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sandbox for Views on birth control in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Lead
Views on birth control in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have changed over the course of the church's history. Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have gone from historically condemning the use of birth control as sinful, to allowing it in the present day. The church's insurance company, used to insure the church's employees, did not provide coverage for any birth control until 2023.

General Birth Control
The current church stance as of 2023 is that when planning for their family, a couple's decisions regarding birth control is ultimately up to them. The church maintains that it is a responsibility and privilege for couples who can, to have children. Couples are encouraged to prayerfully consider issues such as mental well-being and financial capabilities for supporting children.

Surgical methods
Present church policy regarding surgeries such as vasectomies and tubal ligation is, like with general birth control, ultimately the decision of the affected couple. However, the church does still express discouragement towards such methods, and entreats individuals to pray about such decisions before going through with surgical methods of birth control. In the church's general handbook, it is acknowledged that such surgeries are sometimes medically necessary for reasons unrelated to birth control.

Abortion
The church iterates that it is against the commandments of God to utilize abortions as a method of birth control.