Children

This week in family relations we talked about the mormon taboo - sexuality. We talked about the four stages of the human sexual response system and also talked about the different forms of contraceptives or "birth control". We talked about what the churches stance is on birth control and it became a pretty heated discussion. The churches policy on birth control is this:
"Husband and wife are encouraged to pray and counsel together as they plan their families." and that "Decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple."

These statements and more counsel on birth control can be found at http://www.lds.org/study/topics/birth-control?lang=eng&query=birth+control

I feel like this topic of birth control is often controversial within the church. We are taught that the purpose of getting married is to have children. I don't believe, however, that this means the same thing for everyone. There is not some time table or suggested agenda on when a couple should start a family. Each couple is unique in their circumstances and unique personalities, needs and trials and as a result, when to start a family is unique for each couple and that is why it is a decision that should be made between spouses and the Lord.

In the most recent general conference, Elder Neil L. Anderson gave a talk entitled "Children". He said "When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. These are sacred decisions - decisions that should be made with sincere prayer and acted on with great faith." He later goes on to say "Brothers and sisters, we should not be judgmental with one another in this sacred and private responsibility."

His talk can be read, listened to or watched here http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng

I feel like there were some comments in class that were full of judgment - both for those who dont have kids right away and those who do. This is a sacred matter and it should not be our place to judge others according to the limited view we have of their family- however large or small it may be. We don't know and never will know all of the circumstances that impact a couples decision to have or not to have children and therefore our opinion should not be shared or given unless asked for. I know that I am just as guilty as the next person of judging others. It is an act of the natural man and is easy for us to do, but we should try our best to look at others and simply assume that they are doing what the Lord would have them do.