Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Mormon Therapist

Home
Latter-day Saint
Health, Fitness and Religion

2015-11-25T14:44:43-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Making Sense of the Research on Homosexuality

Last updated on: November 25, 2015 at 2:44 pm By Natasha Helfer

I was recently invited to be one of the panelists on a Mormon Matters Podcast episode where I am joined by the host Dan Wotherspoon, and his other guests Dr. Daniel Parkinson (founder of the I’ll Walk With You Project) and retired BYU professor Dr. William Bradshaw (microbiologist). It is a fascinating interview that covers so many relevant factors to having a deeper understanding on homosexuality – from biological, sociological, and mental health perspectives. I am honored to have been included... Read more

2015-11-22T21:35:01-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Spiritual Thoughts for the Day

Last updated on: November 22, 2015 at 9:35 pm By Natasha Helfer

I find all of these inspirational quotes very applicable to how I’m feeling about the policy changes the Church made earlier this month affecting LGBTQ members and their families. “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger–but recognize the opportunity.” ― John F. Kennedy “I finally figured out that not every crisis can be managed. As much as we want to... Read more

2015-11-21T19:55:38-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m dating and my kids saw us kissing…

Last updated on: November 21, 2015 at 7:55 pm By Natasha Helfer

I’m a widow and have started dating this great guy who my kids just adore. We’ve been dating since the summer and my kids see our affection – holding hands, hugging, rubbing backs. One of the kids caught us giving a quick peck on the lips. The word got out among the kids and they were giddy and smiley about it. They try to spy on us so they can see a little peck. Between all the kids they’ve seen... Read more

2015-11-20T00:03:43-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Addressing Rural Mental Health

Last updated on: November 20, 2015 at 12:03 am By Natasha Helfer

Today is National Rural Health Day. Rural communities in the United States face unique challenges that are different from those in more urban areas. And many LDS members live in rural areas. I had the opportunity to interview Nisha Patel, the director of the community based division in the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) for the Mormon Mental Health Podcast I host. In her role, Nisha provides oversight, leadership and management to programmatic, operational and fiscal activities as related... Read more

2015-11-17T08:56:52-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When What is Normal is Declared Sin

Last updated on: November 17, 2015 at 8:56 am By Natasha Helfer

I have made many points as to why I take the stances I do in regards to the LDS positions around LGBTQ issues. But at some level it really boils down to the following: when a religion takes a normal part of someone’s life – in this case, who they fall in love with and consequently become attached to, committed to and sexual with – and declares it a sin (playing the God trump card); there are going to be... Read more

2015-11-17T08:41:31-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Spiritual Thought

Last updated on: November 17, 2015 at 8:41 am By Natasha Helfer

It is sad to see so many of our fold officially resigning from the Church in response to the recent policy changes in regards to LGBTQ members. I understand and respect that for many this is a move towards boundaries and safety that are necessary for their relational, spiritual and mental health. I also see many who want to stay and try to influence things from within towards positive change, in spite of the difficulties they might face doing so.... Read more

2015-11-14T03:11:05-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Now We’re Blaming the Victims?

Last updated on: November 14, 2015 at 3:11 am By Natasha Helfer

Michael Otterson recently wrote an article for LDS Newsroom, Understanding the Handbook where he states: The episode demonstrates clearly the dangers of drawing conclusions based on incomplete news reports, tweets and Facebook posts without necessary context and accurate information. The Church quickly responded to many of those concerns with a video interview with Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. By the end of the weekend, that interview had been viewed by millions. No. This is a classic “blame the victim” move. There... Read more

2015-11-14T01:15:39-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Clarification is Deficient

Last updated on: November 14, 2015 at 1:15 am By Natasha Helfer

The First Presidency came out with a ‘clarification’ letter today regarding the policies that were released last week. I see only two slight positives. 1. Less families/children will be affected. 2. Local authority will have more leeway to act (hopefully) appropriately by ignoring these policies all together. But the fact remains that the policies are still hurtful, harmful and emotionally abusive. Members in same-sex marriages and relationships are still mandated to undergo mandatory discipline for apostasy – a traumatic experience to... Read more

2015-11-12T22:09:02-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Families Post #5

Last updated on: November 12, 2015 at 10:09 pm By Natasha Helfer

These stories are very personal and can be emotionally and psychologically triggering. Anonymous Last night I wrote my bishop explaining that my family would be taking a break from church due to the new policy. I then began to sob. I couldn’t push send, I made my husband do it. This hurts more and more every day. I wish I could live in denial and pretend this change never happened. All I want is to sit in those familiar pews,... Read more

2015-11-12T17:09:55-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Working for Change Inside our Church

Last updated on: November 12, 2015 at 5:09 pm By Natasha Helfer

A new national Ted Talk was released today featuring Chelsea Shields, an anthropologist who grew up Mormon and has been a long-time advocate within the church for issues of gender equality. The timing of this release is uncanny. So many of the things she points to are completely relevant to the circumstances we find ourselves in this week as we have faced new harmful policies within our church governance. The fact that we allow for religious organizations to get away... Read more

Civil Rights

Gospel Teachings

Mental Health

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary material for writing in biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Parchment Clay tablets Papyrus Stone

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abuse Addiction Adolescents Anger Anxiety BDSM Bipolar Disorder Body Image Boundaries Children Circumcision Civil Rights Consent COVID19-Coronavirus Death Depression Divorce Domestic Violence Emotional Abuse Erectile Dysfunction Faith Crisis/Faith Transition Gender Identity Gender Roles Gospel Teachings Grief Homosexuality Infidelity LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Male Issues Marriage Masturbation Menopause Mental Health Mindfulness Miscarriage Missions Mixed-Faith Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Parenting Perfectionism Physical Abuse Physical Health Pornography Premature Ejaculation PTSD Race Relations Relationships Rest Righteousness Self Care Self Injury Self-Esteem Sexual Abuse Sexual Disorders Sexual Education Sexuality Single Adults Social Media Spirituality Suicide Survey Temple Issues Transgender Health Trauma Uncategorized Violence Women's Issues Word of Wisdom

Select a Month September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 December 2018 November 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 July 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 April 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Latter-day Saint