My two TBM sisters were having a discussion about how so and so needed to talk to the bishop before having a vasectomy or tubal ligation. I guess it's in the new handbook to consult with the "authorities" before having any type of permanent birth control done. Both sisters agreed that it should be up to the couple, but would listen to the advice of their leaders if they ever went this route because it's what "we are told to do." I was shocked at their "don't think just follow" attitude. I hope they are never offered punch!

Yeah, gotta love the handbook. Tell them it's not official doctrine, so they can do whatever they want and tscc can shove it.

Heaven forbid you talk to a doctor.

We were told by our parents that we should talk to our Bishop before getting fixed because that was the "rules". Just out of curiosity we did find the handbook online at the time and it was in there that couples considering it should be counseled by the bishop who should counsel them that it is not something to be recommended or taken lightly and should be prayed about.
I was raped at 18, and became pregnant because of it, my bishop said I need to repent. Kiss my ass if I am talking to any bishop about my reproduction capabilities. It not his decision how many children we have. I got my tubes tied after my fourth child, 6 weeks later my husband got a vasectomy. Just because my family has been known to have children after vasectomies and at least one tubal that I know of.

Freckles, I'm so sorry you had to deal with a terrible Bishop like that in your time of need! The idea of a "virtue or death" dichotomy is one of the greatest crimes the Church has committed (or at least cracks the top 1000).

Is nothing off limits to the Organization? Quick- name me one thing that the local leaders are told is none of their business! One thing! is that too much to ask?

What I do with my toenail clippings.

Hah!

Just what are you suggesting, SC? Toenail clippings as the surgical instrument in your vasectomy? Hold still, now.

The handbook will say nothing about toenail clippings until someone gets so bold as to declare that he or she couldn't care less about what TSCC says about toenail clippings. Then a new edition of the handbook will come into being so fast it would make your head spin with strict regulations about toenail clippings.

Agreed!

kjourney Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My two TBM sisters were having a discussion about
> how so and so needed to talk to the bishop before
> having a vasectomy or tubal ligation. I guess it's
> in the new handbook to consult with the
> "authorities" before having any type of permanent
> birth control done. Both sisters agreed that it
> should be up to the couple, but would listen to
> the advice of their leaders if they ever went this
> route because it's what "we are told to do." I was
> shocked at their "don't think just follow"
> attitude. I hope they are never offered punch!


Unless the bishop is this individual's physician, it is really none of his business.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/52924468-180/bishop-consult-church-having.html.csp

Ask your LDS bishop before getting a vasectomy

I had a friend with many kids who went to her Bishop for "permission" to get fixed---she was told her and her husband would be ex-ed if either one did that...I always thought she was dumb for ASKING. She just should have done it. F*** her Bishop, why was it his business anyway?

Many men in my neighborhood (ward) have been snipped. Many by the same MD (referral business). Not a one ever discussed with the bishop. One TBD who had it done told me he would discuss with the bishop when the church started paying his bills.

Paraphrasing.

The morg vehemently tells people not to have surgery for birth control.

They only think it is ok if it is not for birth control OR the births that would result would be "defective."

My brother got it and I've toyed with the idea of letting him know how much of a sinner he is. He worships the morg.

One of a variety of topics during a PPI with bishop was my lack of progeny. I was married and 30 something with no kids yet.

I was counseled to go home and "get busy" with the missus.

Naturally I was offended.

I went home, made my case to the missus and she concurred.

I made an appointment for a vasectomy the following day.

Bishop observed a year or so later that there were still no kids.

"Sorry, we're still practicing"

It's none of the bishop's business...

Ron Burr

They're just a bunch of pharisees in salt lake. They create all kinds of rules and don't lift a finger to lift the burdens they create for other people.

I was in my early forties at this time, and I had already had my tubes tied before I joined the church. I was about 40 at the time, knew I didn't want any more children, had just gone through a horrible divorce, and just decided to go ahead and get it done.

I met a great guy (at church!) and we dated for over a year before deciding to get married. When I went to see the bishop for an apparently required interview before we were married, the bishop (younger than I) asked me if we planned to use any form of birth control. I was stunned that he had the nerve to ask such a thing, but I was still relatively TBM at that time, so I just said no, we weren't planning to use any birth control. I failed to mention that it was simply not an issue for us.

That kind of intrusiveness got to me after a while. "Real" TBM's just accept it as a matter of course, but if you have had any kind of life outside the church, you realize that such intrusive questions are simply not tolerated in polite company.