30 Days of Sex Talks
Empowering Your Child with Knowledge of Sexual Intimacy For Ages 8-11
Additional Resources
- Public vs. Private
“I Need to Talk” from the Friend, April 2016
This is a great resource for helping children learn to talk about private things with a trusted adult.
“Bodily Integrity: Teaching Your Child to Make the Best Choices for His or Her Body” from EEK
This article offers parents a variety of tips on how they can teach their children to love and respect their own bodies in a culture that would demand otherwise.
“Modesty and Smart Clothing Choices: Teaching Our Kids to Be Seen for Who They Are” from EEK
This article helps to educate kids on what modesty means that they’re able to make smart, context-appropriate clothing choices that will empower them through a combination of self-respect and self-confidence.
- Male Anatomy
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
“All human beings - male and female - are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”
“My Body - A Temple” from the Friend, May 2002
This piece discusses ways that we can treat our bodies and how to keep them clean. You can also make a little puppet that exercises.
“I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.”
- Female Anatomy
“Our personal temples must be used to accomplish righteous purposes. Our physical body is a blessing, a timeless trust, and makes a forever family possible.” - David A. Bednar
“Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish” from the New Era, August, 2019
“May we ever be grateful for the incredible blessing of a magnificent physical body, the supreme creation of our loving Heavenly Father. As great as our body is, it is not an end in itself. It is an essential part of God’s great plan of happiness for our eternal progression.” - Russell M. Nelson
“I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.”
- Puberty For Boys
“Talking With Your Kids About Puberty: You Got This!” from EEK
“Talking to our kids about puberty can be awkward! But, it doesn’t have to be! Tackling tough topics with your kids shows them that they can talk to you about cringy subjects without you freaking out.”
“Prepare Your Children for the Changes that Will Accompany Puperty” from the A Parents Guide, page 35, 1985.
This is a great resource from the church to help parents discuss physical development, puberty, and more.
“A Foundation for Your Future” from the Liahona, August 2020
“If you want to reach your potential in the future and become the person the Lord wants you to be, you had better keep the eternal big picture in mind and work on it today.” - Richard J. Maynes
- Puberty For Girls
“8 Thinks Your Daughter Needs to Hear From YOU” from EEK
Written for mothers to their daughters, this article lists the top eight things that every mother’s daughter needs to hear.
“Helping Your Child Develop Empathy” from EEK
“Empathy is a critical component in developing emotional intelligence. We develop this skill as we become aware of others feelings, needs, and concerns. Empathy is important because it helps us to understand how others are feeling and how our actions might impact them.”
“Improve Your Relationship with Your Daughter - Here are Four Ways to Better Communicate” from EEK
This article is to help fathers improve their relationships with their daughters, going over different methods and tips on how to work at that.
- Menstrual Cycle
“Chapter 5: Teaching Adolescents: from Twelve to Eighteen Years” from A Parents Guide
“You should prepare your children for the changes that accompany puberty before these changes actually begin. Puberty is the process by which hormones cause the body to change in ways that make procreation possible. These changs mark the passage from childhood to adulthood. The processes are clean, good, and divinely mandated.”
“Great Mother Daughter Relationships-Set a Tone for Awesomeness” from EEK
This short article offers mothers support and advice for how they can open the door for those uncomfortable conversations with their daughters.
- Physical Mechanics of Sexual Intercourse
“8 Ways to Start Talking to Your Child About Sex” from EEK
“It can be awkward in the beginning, no doubt, but discussing sexual intimacy is such an important conversation that, as parents, we need to use every healthy way we can to start talking until we find a way that works.”
“Common Mistakes Parents Make When Talking to Kids About Sex” from EEK
This article gives some great advice on how to empower your kids with accurate information.
“Teaching about Procreation and Chastity” from The Family Home Evening Resource Book
We are all children of God with biological parents and heavenly parents.
“Your Body Is Sacred” from For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices
This section speaks about how to make wise and inspired choices regarding the sacredness of your own body.
- Emotional Aspects of Sex
“Today’s Family: Protect the Power to Create Life” from “Prophets and Apostles”
“The power of creation - or may we say procreation - is not just an incidental part of the plan… Without it the plan could not proceed. The misuse of it may disrupt the plan… Protect and guard your gift. Your actual happiness is at stake.” Boyd K. Packer
“Intimacy Education Vs Sex Education” from EEK
This article provides parents with a perspective on how sex education goes beyond the physical aspects of the act and encourages parents to put the topic of sex within the context of relationships and religion as well.
“Your Body is Sacred” from For the Strength of youth: A Guide for Making Choices
“Living the law of chastity brings God’s approval and personal spiritual power. When you are married, this law will bring greater love, trust, and unity in your marriage.”
- Relationships are Good and Wonderful
Conversations with My Kids: 30 Essential Family Discussions for the Digital Age from EEK
An amazing resource full of great family night lessons and discussion questions about relationships, LGBTQI issues, compassion, marriage and divorce and lessons on technology, self-improvement, and so much more.
“Make Dating Smooth Sailing” from Liahona, October 2004
“Friendship should play a key role in courtship and marriage. I see friendship as the foundation in the courtship pyramid.” Susan W. Tanner
“Taking the Fear Out of Dating” from the Ensign, April 2016
“By understanding and living important principles, you can make your dating experiences much more beautiful and successful.” Michael A. Goodman
- What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like?
“Building Meaningful Relationships” from the Ensign, August 2018
“The invitation to minister to others is an opportunity to build caring relationships with them… When we have made the effort to develop that kind of relationship, God is able to change lives on both sides of the relationship… Meaningful relationships aren’t tactics. They are built on compassion, sincere efforts, and ‘love unfeigned.’”
“How to Create Healthy Relationships” from EEK
“Teaching children how to build healthy relationships will enable them to recognize when a relationship is unhealthy, build healthy relationships, and allow them to help others to foster healthy relationships.”
“Real Life Lessons Learned from Beauty and the Beast” from EEK
“Many portrayals of boys/men in media allow them a free pass when it comes to their behavior… The audience laughs with a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude. And what about the male character who doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and the audience views it as romantic?
- Romantic Love
“The Gospel and Romantic Love” from the New Era, February 2002
“[T]he scriptures counsel us to be virtuous not because romantic love is bad but precisely because romantic love is so good. It is not only good; it is pure, precious, even sacred and holy. For that reason, one of Satan’s cheapest and dirtiest tricks is to make profane that which is sacred.” - Bruce C. Hafen
“A Wedding Dress and a Plan” from the Liahona, April 2010
This is the story of a girl learning about the significance of her older sister’s temple wedding.
“Beyond the Sex Talk: Teaching Teens Emotional Intimacy” from EEK
Working well as a follow-up for our article, “Intimacy Education Vs. Sex Education”, this article offers parents several ways to discuss with their teens the role that emotional intimacy plays in physical intimacy.
“Teaching Children: from Four to Eleven Years” from A Parents Guide
“To a large extent the child feels these emotions naturally… You and your spouse can be your children’s best examples of intimate relationships.”
“What Is the Law of Chastity?” from the New Era, August 2019
“Note that the Lord’s standards don’t change just because two people really like each other and both agree to the behavior. When you respect other people, the Lord, and yourself, you’ll keep the commandments.” Joshua J Perkey
- Different Kinds of Families
“And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.” 1 Nephi 8:12
“Different kinds of Families” from the Ensign, July 2018
“Families are part of Heavenly Fathers plan. Like people, they come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it may seem like there are ‘perfect families’ all around us, but in reality, this world is made up of imperfect people in family units just trying to figure things out…[N]o family is perfect!”
“The Family” from the Liahona, October 1998
“We begin to practice in the family, the smaller unit, what will spread to the Church and to the society in which we live in this world, which will then be what we practice in families bound together forever by covenants and by faithfulness.” Henry B. Eyring
- Gender & Gender Roles
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” - D&C 76:24
“How the fetus actually becomes male or female is important information for parents and children. Soon after conception, all children have internal and external sex organs in a simple form…. This differentiation between the two genders - male and female - progresses throughout physiological development until there are complete internal and external female or male reproductive organs. The reproductive organs that develop while in the womb of the male fetus include testes… the penis… and the scrotum… The female fetus develops two ovaries (which contain all the egg cells she will have during a lifetime); the uterus (womb)...; the vagina…;and labia… At birth the male or the female infant has reproductive organs but lacks reproductive capacity. This comes at puberty.” A Parents Guide
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”
“In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”
“Teaching Children: from Four to Eleven Years” from A Parents Guide
“By teaching your children these eternal roles, you help them organize their thoughts and behavior around a nucleus of righteous values. These values naturally place sexual interests and information in an eternal perspective.”
- Sexual Identification
“Starting Conversations with Your Kids about LGBTQ Identities” from EEK
“It is important to teach through behavior and conversation that treating others with respect is critical to our communities. This will lead to more tolerance and safety for all people no matter their identity.”
“What do I need to understand about same-sex attraction?” from the Same-Sex Attraction Manual
“Attraction is not identity. People can make their own choices about how to identify… There are active Church members who experience same-sex attraction and never choose to identify themselves using a label. Our primary identity will always be as a child of God.”
“The Lord’s Plan for Men and Women” from the Ensign, October 1975
“The bodies of men and the bodies of women were created differently so they complemented each other, so that the union of the two would bring a conception which would bring a living soul into the world.” Spencer W. Kimball
“We Are More Than Our Labels” from YA Weekly, August 2018
“While labels empower us, boost our sense of identity, and allow us opportunities for growth, there is also a dangerous side to them” Chakell Wardleigh, Chaleese Leishman, and Chantele Sedgwick
- Ready for a Sexual Relationship
“[B]ridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love.” Alma 38:12
“Personal Purity” from the Ensign, November 1998
“[H]uman intimacy is reserved for a married couple because it is the ultimate symbol of total union, a totality and a union ordained and defined by God… marriage was intended to mean the complete merger of a man and a woman - their hearts, hopes, lives, love, family, future, everything… This is a union of such completeness that we use the word seal to convey its eternal promise…” Jeffrey R. Holland
“Talking to Your Parents about Sex” from the New Era, August 2020
“At first it might be awkward to talk with your parents or another trusted adult. Remember, your Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to prepare to develop a healthy relationship as an adult. Part of your preparation includes understanding healthy, appropriate sexuality and learning how to communicate about it now.” Derek Willis Hagey
“Sexual Purity” from For the Strength of Youth
“The Lord’s standard regarding sexual purity is clear and unchanging. Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage.”
“Yes, You Can: The True Power of Sexual Purity” from the New Era, June 2017
“When it comes to sexual purity, you might think that the world is full of cans, and the gospel is full of can’ts. But it’s just the opposite.” Charlotte Larcabal
- Curiosity
“Teaching Without Shame: Understand Your Child’s Curiosity” from EEK
This article tells the story of a mother talking through her son’s curiosity with him and helping him understand that our bodies are beautiful and natural, but that we each deserve our own privacy as well.
“How to Teach Children about sexual Intimacy” from Church News
“If we understand healthy sexuality in the context of it being divine, we are tying into our divine identity and our divine potential and the divine potential of our spouse and of our eternal family.” Lee Gibbons
“God’s Power Within You” from the Friend, January 2002
President Gordon B. Hinckley talks about facing and overcoming temptations.
- Masturbation
“Talking to your Children about Moral Purity” from the Ensign, December 1986
“Children should be taught, at around the first signs of puberty, what masturbation is and why it is wrong. Parents who avoid guiding their children in this matter do them a disservice. Masturbation can be described as manipulating one’s own sexual organs to produce sexual excitement. Such practice is not approved of the Lord nor of his church.” Spencer W. Kimball
“Talking with Our Kids about Masturbation” Without Shame!” from EEK
This article offers parents a variety of ways that the can choose to approach discussing masturbation.
“Talking with Our Daughters about Masturbation” from EEK
This article discusses how parents can approach their daughters specifically about the topic of masturbation.
“Masturbation and Kids-Moving beyond the Shame!” from EEK
This article tells of the impacts masturbation can have on one’s childhood and adulthood. This author also provides parents with suggestions on how they can teach their own children about masturbations without guilt or shame.
“Overcoming Your Challenges” from the Friend, March 2022
“I promise that Heavenly Father will help you overcome your challenges. He loves you and will help you become what He wants you to become.” President Dallin H. Oaks
- Children Do Not Have Sex
“Youth Speak Out on Sexual Purity” from the New Era, April 2016
A series of testimonials from youth on the importance of sexual purity.
“My Body is Mine: Teaching Kids Appropriate Touch” from EEK
“Teaching your children about appropriate touch will empower them to stand up for themselves and their bodies.”
“Teaching Children Consent: Starting Ealy and Simply” from EEK
“[W]e can start teaching our children about consent at a young age by teaching respect for others and boundaries, which are all vital components of a child’s developing healthy sexuality.”
“Three Generations of Silence: How Do We Turn This Around?” from EEK
This article discusses how sexual assault/harassment is something that is often brushed under the rug. It offers a variety of ways that mothers can help ensure that their daughters know when to speak up.
- What to Do if Something Has Happened to You - Who to Talk to
“Sexual abuse of children is on e of the ugliest and personally deveasting experiences a child may have… When child abuse, including incest, is discovered, care must be taken to know and observe the laws of the Church and of the state in such matters. Priesthood leaders and LDS Social Services workers can be consulted in such cases.
“Parents are not to abuse their children in any way- physically, emotionally, or sexually.
Parents who deal with each other in kindness and in a thoughtful manner will create an attitude toward their children of loving concern and patience. Parents and children should learn that normal relationships consist of kindly words and caresses and that firm yet reasonable discipline generally will prevent child abuse. One fo the surevest preventives against child abuse is for the family to know how to speak to and touch each other affectionately without harmful or sexual meaning.” - A Parents Guide
“Helping Your Child Become the Master of Their Body: Moving Beyond Good Touch/Bad Touch” from EEK
This family night liaison will guide you in how to help your kids feel comfortable and in control of their bodies, danger signs to look for from predators, how to help your child say “no” to unwanted affection, and more.
“Vigilant Parenting in the Digital Age” from EEK
“Simply telling your children how to act on the internet is just not enough. We need to be aware of the dangers around, as well as be vigilant in monitoring technology use in our homes… We also must have many discussions with our children about technology use, including dangers, safety, and digital citizenship.”
“Talking about Sexual Abuse” from Gospel Living, February 2021
“If you have been a victim of sexual abuse in any form, at any age, under an circumstances, know that the abuse is not your fault. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ weep with you [and] desperately want to help you find peace and healing.”
- How Predators Groom Children
“A Lesson for Teaching Your Children About Predators” from EEK
A Simple family night lesson to help parents teach their children about predators.
“What Online Predators Don’t Want YOU to Do” from EEK
This article provides a few tips on what you can do to prevent a predator’s access to your kids.
“Abuse: Helping, Healing, and Protection”
This page is a portal to many resources and options dedicated to helping victims of abuse.
- How to Say No
“Kids and ‘Affection’: Why I’m NOT Teaching My Kids to Be Polite” from EEK
This article outlines the importance of helping kids say ‘no’ to unwanted affection and letting them know what they will be believed if something does happen.
“Protecting Children” from the Ensign, April 2019
“You could help your children practice saying, ‘No!’ when someone tries to convince them to do something that makes them uncomfortable. Every child should know that they can ask for help, and they should keep asking until they are safe.” Marisson Widdison
“How to Say No” from the Friend, August 2021
This is a practice lesson teaching kids how to say “no” when asked to break the Word of Wisdom.
“Can You Spot the Grooming Behaviors of a Predator?” from EEK
This lesson teaches a few tactics on how to recognize grooming behaviors and has multiple links to more helpful resources.
- Your Instincts and the Holy Ghost Keep You Safe
“And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did peirce even to the very soul.” Helaman 5:30
“Let the Holy Spirit Guide” from General Conference, April 2017
“To give us mortal strength and divine guidance, [our Father in Heaven] provided the Holy Spirit.” Ronald A. Rasband
“Obeying the Whispering of the Holy Ghost” from the Ensign, August 2007
“The blessings, insights, and protection we receive when we are obedient are beyond our comprehension…[T]he Spirit can help us avoid temptation and ultimately spiritual death if we listen and respond.” Ronald T. Halverson
Chloe has a Question. A Very Important Question by Dina Alexander
A fun story and workbook! With her family’s help, Chloe learns one of the most important lessons in gospel living: Questions aren’t just good, they are great!
“The Secret I Almost Did Not Tell” from EEK
In this article, the author talks about her own experience with sexual assault as a child and what parents can do to help stop it.
- Pornography
“Just One Click” from the Friend, July 2014
The internet is good for lots of things, but sometimes just one click can take you somewhere you don’t want to be.” Jessica Larsen
“Crash and Tell” from the Liahona, June 2011
This story tells of a boy who accidentally viewed pornography on the family computer, and his mother teaches him about personal revelation. Included are a list of internist safety tips.
“Dads Kill Porn” from EEK
“[A] dad’s warmth and consistent presence appear to have a protective impact on his daughter’s sexual development and activity. Conversely, a fatherless daughter may experience sexual development that can far outpace her emotional, social, and neurological development.”
“Pornagraphy” from Gospel Topics
This page has a lot of information specifically on how to avoid pornography, how to overcome an existing addiction, and more.
- Sexting & Social Media
Noah’s New Phone: A Story about Using Technology for Good from EEK
A great family night book featuring a poignant story that addresses smartphone rules, online bullying, social media, and more.
“Guard your safety and the safety of others by taking great care about what personal information and images you share through technology. Do not communicate anything over the Internet or through texting that would be inappropriate to share in person.”
“Teaching Social Media Literacy” from EEK
“Help your children to understand that the edited photos and exciting lives shown on social media are not an accurate portrayal of their everyday life.”
“Talking to Your Kids About Sexting” from EEK
“Chances are, your child will encounter this at some point in their life, either unwittingly receiving a sext or feeling pressured to send one or actually sending one. This is why it’s so important to talk to your kids about this growing and dangerous trend.”
- Being Media Savvy
“A Lesson About Media Literacy” from EEK
“Encourage your child to think about not only the images they see, but the messages that are being presented in the images they see-this is teaching them to deconstruct media.”
“A Family’s Guide to Digital Media” from EEK
This free e-book was created to assist you and your family in finding a media balance by providing you the tools and information you need to create your own family media usage plan.
“Choose The Right Media” from the Friend, April 2012
“This is a guide to help children choose media that is wholesome and uplifting.”
“Entertainment and Media” from For the Strength of Youth
This section was written specifically to help the youth understand the effects entertainment and media have on their mental and spiritual health.
- Body Image
“Confidence and Self-Worth” from Ensign, January 2005
“Let each of us work harder to recognize the accomplishments of others as well as being aware of our own talents and success. And let us be confident in the knowledge that with the Lord’s help, we can accomplish far more than we could ever do on our own.” Glen L. Pace
“My Body Is A Temple” from the Liahona, July 2014
“As we care for our bodies the way God has commanded, we will be blessed!” Marissa Widdison
“Teaching Our Kids about Healthy Body Image” from EEK
This family night lesson includes great advice to help you teach your children to have a more positive body image.
“Teaching Healthy Body Inge to Boys” from EEK
Includes a lesson for parents that is geared specifically towards helping parents teach their young boys about developing a healthy body image.
- Self-worth & Self-esteem
“I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.”
“I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.”
“Learning Positive Self-Talk” from EEK
“Children must learn their self-worth should be based on who they are intrinsically, instead of their ability to fit into popular culture.”
“What You’re Worth and How to Know It” from the New Era, July 2017
“Our divine worth is constant - and it comes from who we are: divine children of a loving Heavenly Father with the potential to become like Him.” Hadley Griggs
“5 Ways A Mother Can Develop Self-Worth In Her Son” from EEK
This article offers mothers a variety of ways that they can help their sons develop positive self-worth.
“5 Things A Father Can Do to Increase His Daughter’s Self-Worth” from EEK
This article describes a number of ways that fathers can help their daughters to develop positive self-worth.
- Shame & Guilt
“The Biggest Barrier to Our Connection with God” from Inspiration, January 2018
“Trusting deep down that you are loved by an eternal father is also the key to believing you are worthy of connecting with Him all the time, even when you mess up.” Celeste Davis
“Three Mistakes I’ve Made Using Shame and Guilt” from EEK
This article describes some of the ways parents may inadvertently teach their children to associate shame and guilt with body image and behavior.
“Teaching Without Shame: Understanding Your Child Curiosity” from EEK
This article teaches how to talk to your kids about their natural curiosity and how to instruct without making them feel ashamed of themselves.
“Eight Myths About Repentance” from the New Era, March 2016
This article goes through a few misconceptions about repentance and tries to help readers understand more about what the process actually is.
“Shame versus Guilt: Help for Discerning God’s Voice from Satan’s Lies” from the Ensign, January 2020
This article does a great job at helping define the difference between shame and guilt, and it helps readers to understand how these two feelings work in relation to repentance.
- Pregnancy
“The Lord’s standard regarding sexual purity is clear and unchanging. Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage… In God’s sight, sexual sins are extremely serious. They defile the sacred power God has given to create life.” For the Strength of Youth
“Teaching About Procreation and Chastity”
We are all children of God with biological parents and Heavenly Parents.
“Talking with Your Children About Moral Purity” from the Ensign, December 1986
“We may want to describe the peace and confidence that fidelity brings to our marriage relationship, and, on the contrary, what infidelity does to destroy homes and families.”
“4 Easy Steps to Creating Healthy Communication About Sexual Intimacy” from EEK
“When we make it clear to our children that we will talk to them about anything-no boundaries- we encourage them to come to us, rather than plunging down the wormhole of the internet…”
- STDs and STIs
Church Policies and Guidelines
“Members who are infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or who have AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) should be welcomed at Church meetings and activities.”
“Talking with Your Children About Moral Purity” from the Ensign, December 1986
“Lead Me, Guide Me” from the New Era, November 2001
Many of us will face unwanted or unexpected illnesses. This article talks about how no matter what, God loves you and the Holy Ghost will always bet there to comfort you.
“Why Me?” from the New Era, December 2009
This article talks of the trials of illness and disease, and that the Lord will always be by our side whenever the storms of life hit us.
