Yes. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that masturbation and viewing pornography are sinful. This is independent of whether the person is a missionary or not. Missionaries are expected to adhere to the standards of any other member of the Church. As such, participating in these two activities will prevent someone from going on a mission. If someone is participating in these activities and wishes to go on a mission, s/he should talk to his/her bishop and determine what steps need to be taken to overcome these actions. Courses of action can all depend on the severity of the actions, how long the individual has been participating in them, and desire to stop. In addition, each bishop may have different methods of overcoming them.

Surely, the looking at pornography would have the worse effect? But also, don't about 99% of men masturbate? Doesn't that suggest it is natural? All I can think of for people to be less likely to do it is to keep busy and get very tired.

No. Just don't tell anyone that you're doing so. The bishop can't tell. If you didn't tell anyone they'd have no way of knowing.

You think your Bishop DOESN"T masturbate?? Are you kidding? How naive would that be? ALL guys--ALL!--masturbate. It's what we do. And there's nothing wrong with it. You think those hot Mormon missionaries going door to door in their suits don't think from time to time about beating off with their buddy? Of course they do. The Mormon Church is a big mind-control organization. I suggest you leave it.

ask God..HE knows ur secret...:)justme

ask God , HE knows ur secret..or have they not taught u that??.:)justme

Get the facts and then you will not develop sexual hang ups. Religions class many normal acts as "sins". The Kinsey Institute (FAQs) is a good source. For example, research on masturbation shows: # In a study of undergraduate college students, 98% of men and 44% of women reported having ever masturbated (Pinkerton, Bogart, Cecil, & Abramson, 2002). # Among undergraduate students, men reported masturbating an average of 12 times per month, while women reported an average of 4.7 times per month (Pinkerton, Bogart, Cecil, & Abramson, 2002).

Masturbation is natural and normal. The vast majority of men masturbate. Religions give you guilt complexes and classify natural, normal acts as "sins". "Chastity, is the most unnatural of all the sexual perversions."

Not at the same time. Really it can if you decide so and not if you decide not - you don't have tell everything to everybody.

The question is will this keep from being allowed on a mission trip. God wants everyone to hear His Gospel message so as long as you maintain discretion and keep your private activities to yourself and can still effectively witness His truth then I doubt He'd mind too much. As far as the group your planning to go with they may very well show less understanding of your human nature. How are they going to know what you do in your private life unless you announce it to them or they catch you in the act ? Those are issues that are between each indiviual and your God. Even if your recreational activities are unknown you should decline going if this is an unresolved issue within yourself. You won't be very effective if your constantly worried about whether or not your good enough for the trip. Prayerfully ask God for His guidance and see where He leads you.

oh yeah.. You're on your way straight to hell in a hand basket.. But before you go drop over at Walmart or maybe Pier 1 and get a good quality hand basket.. You don't want one of those cheapies if you're spending eternity burning.. By the way.. mission to what? Mission to Mars? Mission to capture Russians invading Alaska? Mission to Iraq? Mission Impossible? ...or..let me guess.. a mission to annoy people on a nice long weekend?

It didn't prevent my son from going. Even though I attempted to block porn through our firewall, he still found it. Even though I told his bishop, he still went. Of course he did bare his testimony each time I confronted him bout it. And he proclaimed his "moment of weakness". Come on he was a kid (oh I am sorry an Aaronic Priest) at the time. Kids do stupid things. I personally didn't want him to look at porn, but he is going to do what he is going to do. Just do it somewhere else, have respect enough to not do it on my computer. And, be man enough to be honest about it instead of giving a patent LDS statement of fallen accountability.

hum oops

There are two types of liars... 1 The ones who say they never have. and 2 The ones who say they're gonna quit. Joseph Smith, which one are you?

SHORT ANSWER: My understanding is that, "Don't ask, don't tell!" is the rule of thumb in the LDS Mission Field - as others with first hand experience have stated here. LONG ANSWER: However I have heard many LDS Missionaries claim that they NEVER masturbated even once during his entire mission. Of course, having a constant fellow LDS Companion with you, I would think, would be a big deterrent in that regard. Here's the link to one such example: http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=78122&catid=527 The sad part is that this put an undue burden of guilt on young men on a behavior that neither LDS Scripture or Joseph Smith EVER condemned. Nor does the Bible, Christians! As Dr. James Dobson has stated repeatedly: "It is my opinion that masturbation is not much of an issue with God. It is a normal part of adolescence which involves no one else. It does not cause disease. It does not produce babies, and Jesus did not mention it in the Bible. I'm not telling you to masturbate, and I hope you won't feel the need for it. But if you do, it is my opinion that you should not struggle with guilt over it. Why do I tell you this? Because I deal with so many Christian young people who are torn apart with guilt over masturbation; they want to stop and just can't. I would like to help you avoid that agony." (James Dobson, "Preparing for Adolescence - Straight talk to teens and parents," Regal (1979). Believed to be out of print) Also see http://www.acts17-11.com/dialogs_masturbation.html And, of course, here's what a faithful, practicing LDS Physician had to say on this subject: "Today we also know that masturbation is vital to health. New medical studies verify the importance of masturbation to health. Masturbation prevents prostate cancer, and keeps the reproductive system strong and healthy. There is an overwhelming body of data that demonstrates that individuals who are abstinent from masturbation are at greater risk for cancer, youth suicide, depression, psychological dysfunction, and marital problems." http://www.i4m.com/think/sexuality/masturbation_help.htm

Tell them it will save you money. They have you paying for everything boy what a deal.

If he's trying to do all three things at the same time yes. It's really difficult to ride a bike when you're holding the Bible and a jazz mag in one hand and trying to pleasure yourself and steer the bike with the other.

Who looks at masterbation? Thats kinda sick isn't it?

Keep the mastubating info to yourself. If it truly is a sin then let it be between you and God. As for the porn part, you shouldn't go on a mission if you are addicted to porn. That can usually easily be stopped for most people though.

I guess it depends what the mission is, he is going to go on. If the mission is to go grocery shopping, sure. If the mission is going to Iran or Afghanistan, he may as well get a jump start on looking at masturbation. If the mission is to go door to door for the LDS, it really makes no difference either way. You really need to refine your question a little.