Birth control

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.