Mormon youth are never taught about consent #mormon #lds #consent

Mormon Youth and Consent: Why a Religious Culture of Sexual Silence Creates a Knowledge Gap

When teenagers navigate the most confusing years of their lives, they typically turn to parents, educators, or trusted mentors for guidance on relationships and sexuality. But in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), a unique cultural dynamic has historically discouraged these conversations entirely. According to discussions raised on the Mormon Stories Podcast, LDS youth, particularly young men, grow up without explicit religious or institutional teaching about consent, healthy boundaries, or respectful relationship dynamics. This absence isn't accidental; it reflects a theological framework where sexual activity outside marriage is considered sinful, making the topic itself nearly taboo. Yet this silence may carry unexpected consequences.

The question at the heart of this issue is straightforward: When religious institutions discourage discussion of sexuality altogether, does that create environments where young people lack the language and frameworks to understand consent and respect? This editorial explores the documented gap between LDS Church teachings and the practical education of Mormon youth on these critical topics.

Background: The LDS Approach to Sexual Ethics and Youth Instruction

The LDS Church's official position on sexuality has remained consistent for over a century: sexual relations are sacred within marriage and sinful outside it. This doctrinal stance shapes every institutional message delivered to young people. From seminary classes to youth conferences, the emphasis falls on abstinence, chastity, and postponing intimate discussion until marriage.

However, this framework creates a structural problem. If sexuality itself is framed primarily as a temptation to avoid rather than a natural part of human development, institutional guidance on how to navigate relationships respectfully becomes superfluous, or even counterproductive. Teaching consent assumes relationships and intimacy may occur; the Church's framework suggests they should not.