{"id":490,"date":"2009-06-03T21:39:00","date_gmt":"2009-06-03T21:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2009\/06\/are-there-situations-where-celibacy-might-be-appropriate-within-marriage\/"},"modified":"2009-06-03T21:39:00","modified_gmt":"2009-06-03T21:39:00","slug":"are-there-situations-where-celibacy-might-be-appropriate-within-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2009\/06\/are-there-situations-where-celibacy-might-be-appropriate-within-marriage.html","title":{"rendered":"Are there situations where celibacy might be appropriate within marriage?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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While I realize that neither the Church nor anything in the gospel advocates celibacy or prohibits sexual relations between husband and wife, are there situations where celibacy might be appropriate? The Church does teach that we should control our thoughts and that our spirit should be stronger than bodily appetites.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The ideal, I think, is for both husband and wife to be willing and even eager to meet the sexual needs of his\/her spouse. Hopefully that happens in many and even most marriages. But what about the marriages where there is a significant, long lasting disparity in sexual desire\/interest?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You quoted statistics in a recent post that showed those that were satisfied with the sexual relationship reported thinking about sex very little, but those that were unsatisfied think about sex almost constantly. In these marriages where such a desire<\/span><\/span><\/span>disparity<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> has been unresolved for many years, might it be more beneficial for the couple to agree to be celibate rather than having one person in the marriage constantly desiring an improved sexual relationship? Are you aware of any studies regarding celibacy in marriage and whether the decision to be celibate effectively relieves the desire for sex? In the absence of a healthy sex life or realistic prospects for one, which is better- to desperately want an improved sex life and to think about it constantly or to completely give up, become celibate, and try to not think about sex at all?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

First of all, it is important to clarify some terms. I looked up the word \u201ccelibacy\u201d and got the following definitions: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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