The Blog
Free, public writing on intimacy, sexual health, faith transitions and trust repair — from Daniel A. Burgess, LMFT. The fuller, more clinical version of this conversation lives in the Inner Circle, from $19 a month.
Browse by topic
Purity culture, shame & religious trauma · Intimacy, desire & sexual health · Pornography, behavior & trust · LDS & mixed-faith relationships · Marriage & relationship skills · Sex ed · Parenting · Mental health · LDS · Marriage
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LDS Women — Overcoming Pornography: The Opposite Of Addiction Is Connection
While reading “LDS Women — Overcoming Pornography: The Opposite Of Addiction Is Connection,” I saw this Ted Talk for the first time, and I had to write about it. It’s called “Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong,” by Johann Hari. Johann Hari discusses how rats that are isolated in a cage with…
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Your Writing Sucks
I attract grammar Nazis like moths to a fire. I have been accused of abusing my positions in the church to publicize my ideas, I have been accused of misleading others from the prophets, I have been accused teaching false doctrine, and I have been criticized for my desire to write a book on marriage.…
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An Unspoken Struggle: Things As They Really Are
“Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But…
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An Unspoken Struggle: LDS Women Addicted To Pornography
“So. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and have been my entire life. My struggles with pornography began in 2003 out of a mix of boredom and curiosity. For years now, I have felt like one day I would share my experiences, and that from the things…
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“Thank You” Doesn’t Quite Do It
“Building a celestial marriage. The scriptures give an occasional glimpse into societies in which people “were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18), where “there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts…
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Repost On Modesty
“[Modesty] is a condition of the heart. It is an outward manifestation of an inner knowledge and commitment. It is an expression that we understand our identity as daughters of God.” —Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women General President, 2008-2013) The “For Strength of Youth” pamphlet that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has…
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The Apostle Peter: A Story Of Unshakable Obedience And Faith, Not Failure
“Some time ago a newspaper in a distant town carried an Easter Sunday religion editorial by a minister who stated that the presiding authority of the early-day church fell because of self-confidence, indecision, evil companions, failure to pray, lack of humility, and fear of man. He then concluded: Let us as people, especially those who…
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![A [Not So] Better Way To Say Sorry](https://danielaburgess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/attachment-5d1e5dfca7584e00010efa19-010.webp)
A [Not So] Better Way To Say Sorry
“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Cor.…
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I Do Not Govern Them At All
“‘How is it that you can control your people so easily? It appears that they do nothing but what you say; how is it that you can govern them so easily?’ Said he, ‘I do not govern them at all. The Lord has revealed certain principles from the heavens by which we are to live…
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Daniel Who?
Daniel A. Burgess is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who helps people find their whole, happy selves and thrive through life’s challenges. He works with couples, individuals and children, and brings perspective from well beyond the therapy room — business, volunteering, and years as a PTA president. Daniel loves to listen, teach, speak publicly,…