What Your Parents Didn't Tell You about Sex: An LDS Guide to Sexual Intimacy

by Anthony A. Hughes

Problems in the sexual relationship are one of the top reasons that couples get divorced, both inside and outside of the Church. Many faithful members have sought out counsel and direction from books, bishops, and therapists. Yet a large portion still complains of low levels of sexual satisfaction or dysfunction, which pull at the marital bond and covenant marriage.

Dr. Anthony A. Hughes, LMFT, is a noted sex therapist and devoted member of the LDS church. In What Your Parents Didn’t Tell You about Sex, he shares his vast knowledge and clinical experience for LDS couples who seek to improve their sexual satisfaction, strengthen their marital bond, and glorify God through their sexual union. He has put together the best that research, theory, and thousands of hours practicing sex therapy have to offer.

Focusing strictly on what all the other LDS books on sexual intimacy have missed, Dr. Hughes goes into respectful but needed detail concerning sexual practices between husband and wife. He covers the impact of LDS culture on sexuality, underrepresented aspects of the sexual response cycle, psychological and physical differences disconnecting couples, myths and facts, common problems and solutions, and the impact of sexual addiction on marital intimacy.

118 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2015

About the author

Dr. Hughes has taken his knowledge of sex therapy and his passion for the LDS faith and merged the two into a guide for sexual discovery. Years of teaching, counseling, supervising, and researching fill the pages of this book. Dr. Hughes has been asked by many academics, scholars, and LDS members to write a book that will facilitate sexual understanding, growth, and skill while still adhering to the values and beliefs of the LDS church. Other books written by authors have fulfilled a need. However, important details and how to elements have been neglected. This book provides cutting edge theory and application on how to bring sexual pleasure into a covenant marriage. Dr. Hughes accepted the challenge to write a book that is informative, wholesome, and direct that will meet the unanswered questions so many seek.

Dr. Anthony A. Hughes holds a PhD in marriage and family therapy from Brigham Young University (BYU). He is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Utah and an approved supervisor. He is the owner of Covenant Sex Therapy, located in Provo, Sandy, and Pleasant Grove Utah, and is actively involved in clinical work there. He mentors several therapists working at his practice. Dr. Hughes is an adjunct graduate faculty member at Brigham Young University and Argosy University in their Marriage and Family Therapy departments and teaches courses on sex therapy and practicum. He has supervised therapists providing therapy to clientele who deal with sexual issues. He has also been involved in scholastic writing for peer-reviewed journals, where he has been published. Dr. Hughes has guest lectured on various occasions at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. He has similarly presented at Brigham Young University and Argosy University, where continuing education units have been offered for his lectures on sexuality. He has lectured for family medicine residents as well. Dr. Hughes has been highly sought after for his advice on sexual matters and has been referenced by KSL’s news. You, Me, and We was on LDS Living's top 10 books for couples. Additionally, he has presented at national and state venues on the topic of sexuality.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really impressed with how clear and open this book is. It provides education and exercises to help couples and individuals work through various sexual challenges and dysfunction. My only beef with the book is that after spending several paragraphs talking about how sex shouldn't hurt, the author goes on to say that sex might hurt the first time. This is terrible information. If sex hurts the first time, slow down and use more lubrication- or put the event on hold until you've been able to use dilators to stretch our the vagina.

Other than that one piece- I may be a giving this book to any young LDS people lucky enough to invite me to their wedding reception.

It's clearly aimed at LDS couples, but doesn't include LDS teachings. What it does include are disclaimers that if the exercises in the book aren't within the couple's value system, they should not do them, and offers some alternative suggestions.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn’t love everything about this book, the author does jam an awful lot of useful information into a mere hundred pages.

[Kalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that was suggested to me early in our marriage and I just barely read it...

Life got away from me and I finally decided I should read it. I read a lot about intimacy in preparation for marriage and during the first few months of being married but I haven't really read anything since. I've been married for over 3 years now so it was nice to read something now that I have my own personal experiences to reflect on while I read. It was a really short read and I felt like it was pretty comprehensive. If you have read other intimacy books, it will probably be repetitive but if you are looking for a short read that covers the basics, it's a good one.

[Chels · Rating 5 out of 5]

good for first married and even 8 years into your marriage for education, homework to fix and learn and how to move forward. I also really liked his knowledge and perspective on the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints culture and how to combat that for the next generation while keeping the law of chastity.

[Shelley Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic balance of detail without being derogatory like some worldly books.

Fantastic information and great detail expected from a dr in the profession. Handled tastefully but didn't gloss over sensitive issues and used correct vocabulary and details to make sure there isn't any misunderstanding.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be helpful to most (all?) young couples navigating their sexual intimacy.