Mormons are taught to control their desires from childhood to adulthood through strict religious beliefs that forbid excessive indulgence in physical pleasures such as sexual activity. This can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and fear when they encounter temptations outside the Church's teachings.
The Mormon religion is based on the idea that one must submit to God's will in order to achieve salvation. To this end, members are encouraged to live a life of self-denial and avoid sinful activities like drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. Sexual desire is viewed as an obstacle to spiritual progress and must be subjugated for the sake of eternal salvation. Mormons believe that sex should occur within marriage and with only their spouse, otherwise it is considered a grave transgression against God. The Church also discourages masturbation because it goes against the law of chastity, which prohibits all forms of sexual behavior outside of heterosexual intercourse between married couples.
To further suppress sexual urges, Mormon doctrine emphasizes abstinence until marriage and teaches that sex is only permissible for procreation purposes.
Pornography, lust, and premarital relationships are strictly condemned. These restrictions create a powerful psychological barrier that prevents many Mormons from exploring their desires fully and seeking pleasure elsewhere.
Some Mormons may feel conflicted about these restrictions due to natural biological drives. As a result, many turn to coping mechanisms such as addiction or obsessive behaviors to deal with unrequited longing. Others may become depressed or even attempt suicide if their emotional needs go unmet for too long.
The psychological impact can be significant depending on how strongly someone internalizes the Church's teaching.
Mormonism places heavy emphasis on controlling one's impulses and conforming to strict religious standards. This approach can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and fear when encountering temptations outside the Church's teachings.