Dear Judith,

Rather than getting into a verbose discussion on the question you propose, let me just quote the words of the Prophets over the last half century.

“I regret that so many young couples are thinking today more of successful contraceptives than of having a posterity. They will have to answer for their sin when the proper time comes and actually may be denied the glorious celestial kingdom” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Confer­ence Report, October 1965, p. 29).

“Seeking the pleasures of conjugality without a willingness to assume the responsibilities of rearing a family is one of the onslaughts that now batter at the structure of the American home. Intelligence and mutual consideration should be ever-present factors in determining the coming of children to the household. When the husband and wife are healthy and free from inherited weaknesses and diseases that might be transmitted with injury to their offspring, the use of contraceptives is to be condemned” (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 466).

“How do you suppose that the Lord would look upon a man and a woman whose marriage seems to be largely for the purpose of living together and sex gratification without the responsibilities of marriage? How do you think that the Lord looks upon those who use the contraceptives because in their selfish life it is not the convenient moment to bear children? How do you feel the Lord looks upon those who would trade flesh-and-blood children for pianos or television or furniture or an automobile, and is this not actually the case when people will buy these luxuries and yet cannot afford to have their children? Are there not numerous people who first buy the luxury article and then find they cannot pay the doctor or a hospital bill incident to childbirth? How do you think the Lord feels about women who forego the pleasures and glories of motherhood that they might retain their figures, that their social life might not be affected, that they might avoid the deprivations, pains, and agonies of childbearing and birthing? How do you think the Lord feels as he views healthy parents who could have children but who deliberately close the doors by operation or by contraceptives, close the doors upon spirits eager to enter into mortal bodies” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.329).

“If we rely only on contraceptives and cash— instead of conscience and chastity— we will always find ourselves dealing with harsh consequences instead of preventing misery. It is the dogmatism of secularism that blinds otherwise good people from seeing "the truth." One-dimensional morality will always fall short of what is desired, for it is our interpersonal morality that shapes our interpersonal morality” (Neal A. Maxwell, The Smallest Part, p.31).