Re-orienting My Moral Compass

I was taught by priesthood leaders starting at age 11 that masturbation was immoral, that I was sinning, that I needed to be cleansed by the blood of Christ for my sin of self abuse. This intense messaging was directed at me during a critical time of my development. I believed their words and felt immense shame and disgust for my sins. I was a child. For many years my inner compass was oriented toward a sense of shame and low self esteem. I did not feel like I was normal or healthy.

Natasha fearlessly teaches the data based notion that masturbation is a normal part of human development. She teaches the data based notion that sexual self exploration is not some deranged practice of self abuse. When I heard this message as an adult I realized I could let some of my shame drop away. After a lot of counseling with compassionate therapists I no longer feel this deep sense of shame about masturbating. I talk openly about it with my wife. I talk openly about pornography with her. We work together as adults to determine what is and what is not OK in our marital sex life. This new found way of living would not have been possible for me without courageous voices like Natasha's.

—Anonymous