“Feeling guilty about sex, even in marriage”
Many faithful couples spend years hearing “don’t,” and then expect everything to flip to “yes” on their wedding night. It usually doesn’t. The guilt, the hesitation, and the sense that your body is somehow suspect don’t disappear just because you knelt across an altar.
Here’s the good news: shame is not doctrine. The gospel teaches that sexual intimacy in marriage is sacred, good, and ordained of God. Shame is what gets layered on top by culture, well-meaning lessons, past experiences, and sometimes trauma. We help you tell the difference.
Episode 01
In the first episode of Latter-Day Sex, certified sex therapists Dr. Susannah Pipkin and Dr. Annie Bryner tackle the stigma around marital intimacy, explain desire differences, and replace “sexual entitlement” with stewardship.
Because years of messaging don’t turn off overnight. Guilt after marriage is extremely common and is almost always about conditioning, not sin. Naming where the message came from is the first step to letting it go.
Nothing in Church doctrine forbids married couples from using tools that help them enjoy each other. This is a private matter between you, your spouse, and the Lord. It is not something you need to confess.
Trauma, a difficult sexual history, or repentance that still feels unfinished can all show up in the bedroom. Please consider working with a licensed therapist. You deserve more than white-knuckling through it.
Yes. That is the entire premise of this podcast.
These answers are educational, not a diagnosis. If this topic is causing ongoing pain in your marriage, please reach out to a licensed therapist.
“One of you wants sex more than the other”
When one spouse wants sex more often than the other, it can feel like rejection on one side and pressure on the other. Here’s how faithful couples navigate it.
Explore this topic →
“How to actually have the conversation”
Most couples have never been taught how to talk about sex. Practical, kind scripts for starting the conversation without blame.
Explore this topic →
“When pornography is part of the story”
Compassionate, doctrine-aligned conversations about pornography, recovery, trust, and rebuilding intimacy together.
Explore this topic →
“Preparing for intimacy before marriage”
Chastity, boundaries, and preparing for a healthy sexual relationship without fear. For dating and engaged Latter-day Saints.
Explore this topic →
“Starting your sexual relationship well”
The wedding night, the first year, and the surprising adjustments nobody warned you about. Grace, patience, and practical help.
Explore this topic →
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The Faithful Couple’s Starter Guide to Better Sex
A free PDF from Latter-Day Sex (coming soon)
A note on what this is. Latter-Day Sex is an educational podcast. It is not therapy and is not a substitute for working with a licensed professional. If something here stirs up more than you expected, that’s a good sign it’s worth talking through with someone qualified.
This podcast is produced independently and is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed are those of the hosts.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US) or your local emergency number.
