The generational curse brought on by birth control

[MustardSeed]

3 hours ago, TheTanakas said:

Do you have a reference for that change?

The current General Handbook, section 38.6.4, “Birth Control,” says:

“The decision about how many children to have and when to have them is extremely personal and private. It should be left between the couple and the Lord. Church members should not judge one another in this matter.”
 

the last sentence is important to note.  Seems to me that it has been explicitly stated that your judgement of others on this topic is the actual sin? 

[Calm]

5 hours ago, TheTanakas said:

Do you have a reference for that change?

Do you want to know when it was changed or just evidence it was?

The latter:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/birth-control?lang=eng

Quote

The decision of how many children to have and when to have them is a private matter for a husband and wife….

Decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple. Elective abortion as a method of birth control, however, is contrary to the commandments of God.

Added:  oops, should have turned the page, lol

Edited Sunday at 07:44 PM by Calm

[TheTanakas]

On 8/23/2026 at 1:43 PM, MustardSeed said:

The current General Handbook, section 38.6.4, “Birth Control,” says:

“The decision about how many children to have and when to have them is extremely personal and private. It should be left between the couple and the Lord. Church members should not judge one another in this matter.”
 

the last sentence is important to note.  Seems to me that it has been explicitly stated that your judgement of others on this topic is the actual sin? 

Not my judgment, but those in these teachings:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly encourages married couples to 
have children. It is against birth control ... We seriously regret that there should exist a
sentiment or feeling among any members of the Church to curtail the birth of 
their children".

"Where husband and wife enjoy health and vigor and are free from impurities that would 
be entailed upon their posterity, it is contrary to the teachings of the Church artificially 
to curtail or prevent the birth of children. We believe that those who practice birth 
control will reap disappointment by and by" (May 1971 Ensign).

[MustardSeed]

57 minutes ago, TheTanakas said:

Not my judgment, but those in these teachings:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly encourages married couples to 
have children. It is against birth control ... We seriously regret that there should exist a
sentiment or feeling among any members of the Church to curtail the birth of 
their children".

"Where husband and wife enjoy health and vigor and are free from impurities that would 
be entailed upon their posterity, it is contrary to the teachings of the Church artificially 
to curtail or prevent the birth of children. We believe that those who practice birth 
control will reap disappointment by and by" (May 1971 Ensign).

How far back in history with much revelation in between you allow yourself to go to require yourself and others to follow the dictates of leadership, which is often taken out of context of cultural realities? Do you stop at 1970? Because there is PLENTY of directives over miriads of topics that has since been overruled by current leadership. 
where is your faith in present leadership? 

[Notatbm]

On 7/20/2026 at 2:07 PM, Amulek said:

I have seen too many wealthy, well-meaning parents who have given their children every opportunity except the opportunity to really develop a close relationship with their mom and dad. They had the best schools, activities, vacations, and material comforts, but very little meaningful time with the people they wanted most. No amount of money can replace a parent's consistent presence, attention, and genuine interest in who their children are becoming.

To me, the limiting factor isn't just whether you can provide for more children – it's whether each child can receive the time, love, guidance, and individual relationship they deserve.

 

Same can be said of parents in long term high demand callings in the church. My father was either in a bishopric, a stake presidency or the actual stake president literally from the time I was born till well after I graduated high school. 
 

due to the endless meetings and endless Sundays I literally do not know tha man as he was never around. I am very sure I have sat with him in church less than ten times in my entire life. 
 

not his fault- just being obedient. I have had my own opportunities long ago for a few high demand callings. I just said no and told them yea I pretty much had an absentee father who regarded every church meeting as more important than his kids. I will not subject my kids to that. 
 

I was in the military and deployed all the time. I still spent (no exaggeration) at least 100x more time with my kids than my father spent with us. It wasn’t even close. 

[MustardSeed]

1 minute ago, Notatbm said:

Same can be said of parents in long term high demand callings in the church. My father was either in a bishopric, a stake presidency or the actual stake president literally from the time I was born till well after I graduated high school. 
 

due to the endless meetings and endless Sundays I literally do not know tha man as he was never around. I am very sure I have sat with him in church less than ten times in my entire life. 
 

not his fault- just being obedient. I have had my own opportunities long ago for a few high demand callings. I just said no and told them yea I pretty much had an absentee father who regarded every church meeting as more important than his kids. I will not subject my kids to that. 
 

I was in the military and deployed all the time. I still spent (no exaggeration) at least 100x more time with my kids than my father spent with us. It wasn’t even close. 

My husband had the same attitude. Family first over callings.  
Now that our kids are grown and gone, he is very committed and devoted to his calling in the young men’s. He’s made a huge difference and a lot of their lives. Many of them if not, most of them are autistic and it is a very challenging class, but he has made a tremendous difference in their lives. It’s been good for me to be exposed to something other than what I was raised with, where church took the priority over family in every way.