Mormon Church Expels Sex Therapist Skeptical of 'Porn Addiction'

Mormon Church Expels Sex Therapist Skeptical of 'Porn Addiction'

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, or the Mormon Church) has expelled sex therapist Natasha Helfer for refusing to bow down to their notions on “sexuality issues,” including its obsession with the unscientific notion of “porn addiction."

According to a Salt Lake City Tribune report, Helfer “received a letter Wednesday from her former stake (regional) president in Kansas, where she lived before moving to Utah in 2019, explaining the reasons for her removal from the Salt Lake City-based church.”

“After carefully and prayerfully considering this matter,” the church rep informed Helfer, “it was the decision of the council to withdraw your church membership in response to conduct contrary to the law and order of the church.”

To “withdraw your church membership in response to conduct contrary to the law and order of the church” is the current LDS euphemism for what, until recently, was termed “excommunication.”

On Sunday, according to the report, “Helfer was asked to leave a church disciplinary hearing — before it even began — because she wouldn’t turn off her cell phone,” where she had her prepared notes. The “membership council” took place without her.

Helfer posted the letter on her Facebook page yesterday and added, “It is done. For now.”

‘Spiritual Violence’

Some people within the LDS Church have questioned the church’s decision. 

“I’ve felt for decades that excommunication or removal of members was unnecessary except in criminal or abusive situations,” Jody England Hansen, a Helfer supporter, told the Salt Lake City Tribune. “Anything that is done because of differences is spiritual violence.”

Membership removal “goes against what the gospel of Christ is — and against what the church I love is about,” Hansen added.

Helfer, the SLC Tribune reports, “supports same-sex marriage, counsels that masturbation is not a sin and insists pornography should not be treated as an addiction.”

Helfer had received the support of hundreds of fellow therapists, noting "it is in line with current mental health practices and [she warned] that withdrawing her church membership could ‘create a culture of stigma and shame’ and prevent clients from seeking therapy. It also could have a chilling effect on ‘other therapists providing culturally competent, clinically sound and evidence-based care.’”

A Porn-Obsessed Religion and State

The Mormon church has resisted any attempts to discuss scientific and evidence-care, and has staunchly promoted a “porn is Satan’s weapon” view that led to a religious obsession with “porn filters.” Utah is the first state to easily pass unscientific anti-porn legislation, and actively supports the ostensibly “non-religious” crusading organization Fight the New Drug.

Helfer can appeal the decision “by writing to the faith’s governing First Presidency within 30 days of her hearing.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More