Sexual Wholeness in Marriage: An LDS Perspective on Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality in our Marriages

by Dean M. Busby, Jason S. Carroll, Chelom Leavitt

New 2nd Edition. Sexuality can be one of the most perplexing and yet rewarding areas of life for spiritually minded individuals. In this book the authors present a pathway to building positive sexual attitudes and a healthy sexual relationship with a spouse that can be enriching and fulfilling on the spiritual journey of life. In addition, they address many of the common questions LDS individuals have about sex that may not have been adequately answered by existing sources, * How can couples manage their often very different levels of interest in sex? * What types of sexual behaviors are appropriate for married LDS couples? * How can couples keep their sexual relationship creative and enjoyable over decades of marriage? * What are the unique sexual needs of women and men in marriage? * How can couples be better prepared to start off their marriage on the right foot when they are sexually inexperienced?

Genres: Marriage, Relationships, Nonfiction, Religion

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2014

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! Finding a good book about sexuality isn’t easy. This one does a great job of being both respectful and direct while expressing the beauty of sex in a lasting marriage.

I loved the wholistic view of intimacy that includes emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions. There was also a particularly beautiful theme throughout the book of being genuinely attentive to your spouse.

This book is heavily based on teachings from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and while the principles and advice are applicable to anyone, some of the themes and ideas won’t make a lot of sense without a basic understanding of the church’s teachings.

I highly recommend this book! I dare you to ask me about it!!

[Elizabeth Albo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every LDS single OR married should read this one. As a young generation I would love to create a change around topics related to sexuality.

As a convert I grew up talking about these subjects in a very different and somehow open way, but reading this made me so sad about those who grew up listening to leaders saying nonsense stuff.

I still can’t believe that people relates virginity with a plate. Once broken cannot be fixed? I mean, of course, but what about the Atonement then? It’s crazy!

I’m so glad I read this.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite doctrine taught in this book is how sexuality is made up of three categories: Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional. All three are required to be in balance with one another in order to feel whole. So many questions are answered here!! This is a deep self reflecting book and I would recommend it to all under any marital status.

[Cami Duron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare you to ask me about this book

[VeeDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summary says, "Sexuality can be one of the most perplexing and yet rewarding areas of life for spiritually minded individuals. In this book the authors present a pathway to building positive sexual attitudes and a healthy sexual relationship with a spouse that can be enriching and fulfilling on the spiritual journey of life."
Everyone should read this book before they get married, or after they get married, or where ever they are in life--we are all sexual people with a divine potential given to us by God.

[Maggie]

I'm not even close to getting married yet- this was my roommate's marriage prep textbook that I read bc I was bored. It feels weird to give this a rating, so I'll pass on that, but there was some interesting and useful information in here that would probably be really helpful to someone about to be married.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

After nearly 12 years of marriage, I still learned a ton of good and helpful information from this book. A book like this would be highly recommended for LDS couples soon to be married or newlyweds, as well as for those who have been married much longer.

[Rachel Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman in my ward (Chelom Leavitt) co-wrote this book and I've been reading it a little bit here and there for the last year. I felt that it was tastefully written and I learned a lot about myself by reading it.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow!! This book is amazing. It strikes the perfect balance of information and respect. I would recommend this to anyone- regardless of religon. It genuinely has helped me clarify and correct my many misconceptions about sex and sexuality.

[Krystene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for young and old. I love the focus on sexual “wholeness”. Although I am not sure I agree with everything they suggest, most of it was really good and insightful. I want my boys to read it when the time is right.

[Andrew Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Carroll and his contemporaries killed it here. They fused faith and sexuality really well and spoke candidly about things that ought to be spoken candidly about.

[Ivana Cordy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books about healthy sexuality in marriage that I recommend most of my LDS clients.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for school

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I attended an Education Week Lecture by two of the authors of this book. We were very impressed that they treat the sexual side as “intertwined” with salvation.

[Angela Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon Hill states that highly sexual people are highly successful. Passion drives us. This book explains this principle so well.

“Let us all nurture our spouses and children back to our heavenly home where we can be united with our Heavenly Parents because of the Great Plan of Happiness and the atonement of our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ”.

[Michael Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who believes that sexuality and spirituality are intimately intertwined would benefit from reading this book. It is a Latter-day Saint text, but it is presented in academic form and does not possess the usual doctrinal trappings that often accompany LDS literature. That, and it is authored by some of the leading researchers of the field in their own right.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most honest and helpful books I've ever read. Appropriate, grounded, detailed, principled. Direct and informative without being explicit or tawdry. Dealt with a sensitive subject in a humble and respectful way.

Page Turner: 9/10
Honest: 10/10
Intelligent: 10/10
Uplifting: 10/10