What Is Mormon Soaking?
Picture this: a whispered rumor among college students, a viral TikTok video, and a phrase that sounds more like a laundry tip than a cultural phenomenon. Mormon soaking has sparked curiosity, confusion, and plenty of internet memes. But what is it, really? At its core, Mormon soaking refers to a rumored practice among some young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) where a couple engages in penetrative sex without movement, believing it sidesteps the church’s strict chastity rules. The idea is that by “soaking” without thrusting, they avoid “true” intercourse.
Is this a widespread practice or just an urban legend? The truth lies somewhere in the gray area of LDS youth culture, amplified by social media. This article unpacks Mormon soaking, diving into its murky origins, the theology behind it, and why it’s become a lightning rod for fascination. Written by someone who’s navigated LDS culture firsthand, this guide aims to inform, not sensationalize, offering clarity on a topic often misunderstood.
Where Did Mormon Soaking Come From?
Tracing the roots of Mormon soaking is like chasing a ghost story—it’s hard to pin down. Some say it started at Brigham Young University (BYU) in the early 2000s, whispered among students navigating the church’s strict honor code. Others point to a 2009 post on a Newschoolers forum, where a user jokingly called it “dick soak,” a term that evolved into “soaking” by 2011 on Urban Dictionary. Know Your Meme notes these early mentions, tying the practice to BYU’s unique culture.
Ex-Mormon Alyssa Grenfell, in her book How to Leave the Mormon Church, suggests soaking emerged as a creative workaround to LDS purity culture’s intense pressure. Young couples, caught between natural desires and spiritual expectations, might have seen it as a way to push boundaries without crossing the line—at least in their minds. But with no official LDS documentation and only anecdotal accounts, some dismiss it as a myth, while others, like ex-Mormon TikTokers, swear it’s real.
Timeline of Mormon Soaking’s Rise:
- 2009: First online mention as “dick soak” on forums.
- 2011: “Soaking” defined on Urban Dictionary, linked to BYU.
- 2021: TikTok videos explode, with #soaking hitting 25 million views.
- 2024–2025: Media outlets like Tyla and Men’s Health amplify the buzz.
LDS Chastity and Purity Culture
To understand Mormon soaking, you need to grasp the LDS Church’s stance on chastity. The church’s For the Strength of Youth pamphlet is crystal clear: “Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage.” This isn’t just about actions—thoughts and intentions matter too. Violating the law of chastity can lead to serious consequences, like expulsion from BYU or loss of temple privileges. LDS Church
This creates a high-stakes environment for LDS youth, especially at BYU, where the honor code looms large. Enter soaking, along with quirks like “jump humping” (a third person bouncing on the bed to create motion) or “durfing” (clothed dry humping). These practices, while not endorsed by the church, are rumored attempts to skirt the rules. Max Pond, an active Mormon and BYU grad, calls soaking a “fringe phenomenon” that misrepresents LDS teachings, emphasizing that it violates both the letter and spirit of chastity.
| Rule | Description | Rumored Loophole |
|---|---|---|
| No premarital sex | Forbids intercourse before marriage. | Soaking, jump humping. |
| No petting | Prohibits touching private areas, even clothed. | Durfing, Levi Lovin’. |
| No immodesty | Avoids behavior inciting sexual desire. | Garment-dodging. |
How TikTok Made Soaking Viral
In 2021, Mormon soaking went from dorm-room whispers to global fascination, thanks to TikTok. A video by @funeralpotatoslut, showing someone jumping on a bed to “help” a soaking couple, racked up nearly 4 million views. Ex-Mormon creators like @exmolex and @sofiafranklin fueled the trend, sharing stories with a mix of humor and critique. Distractify reported on this viral wave, noting how it spotlighted LDS culture’s quirks.
The absurdity of soaking—penetration without movement, sometimes with a friend bouncing nearby—captured the internet’s imagination. It’s like a real-life sitcom, blending humor with cultural critique. But this virality came with a downside: exaggeration. Some videos painted soaking as common, while devout Mormons, like those at LDS Quotations, argue it’s a rare misunderstanding, not a church-sanctioned loophole.
Why Do Some Mormons Try Soaking?
So, why would anyone think Mormon soaking is a good idea? It comes down to a classic human struggle: balancing desire with duty. LDS youth face intense pressure to stay chaste, with 78% of teens in a 2005 Sexuality & Culture study saying their parents would be “extremely mad” about premarital sex. Yet, a 1992 study found 60% of LDS teens had engaged in some form of premarital sex, showing a gap between belief and behavior.
Ex-Mormon Mark Mariano told ABC that fear of losing spiritual privileges—like temple access—pushes some to seek “God-friendly” workarounds. Soaking might feel like a compromise: intimacy without “sin.” But as Lula Gatti notes on Happy Clippings, it’s a flawed rationalization that doesn’t align with LDS teachings. It’s a glimpse into the messy reality of navigating faith and youth.
Soaking in Context: Religious Loopholes
Mormon soaking isn’t an isolated quirk. Other faiths have their own “loopholes” for navigating strict moral codes:
- Christian “Saddlebacking”: Some evangelicals use anal sex to preserve vaginal virginity.
- Jewish Niddah Rules: Orthodox Jews may skirt menstrual purity laws with technicalities.
- Islamic Temporary Marriages: Shia Muslims use short-term marriages to permit intimacy.
These practices show a universal human tendency to bend rules without breaking them outright. Soaking, then, is less a Mormon oddity and more a reflection of how young people grapple with rigid boundaries, as noted in a 2024 Pittsburgh Region article.
FAQs About Mormon Soaking
Is Mormon soaking real?
Anecdotal reports from ex-Mormons suggest it happens, especially at BYU, but its prevalence is likely overstated. Many LDS members call it a myth or rare fringe behavior.
Does the LDS Church approve of soaking?
No. The church’s law of chastity forbids any sexual activity outside marriage, and soaking violates both the letter and spirit of this teaching.
What is jump humping?
Jump humping involves a third person bouncing on the bed to create motion for a soaking couple, supposedly absolving them of responsibility. It’s a rumored extension of soaking.
Why do some Mormons try soaking?
It’s seen as a way to explore intimacy while avoiding the guilt of “full” intercourse, driven by the church’s strict purity culture.
How did soaking go viral?
TikTok videos in 2021, like those from @funeralpotatoslut, popularized soaking with millions of views, amplified by media and ex-Mormon influencers.
Are there health risks to soaking?
Yes, soaking can still transmit STIs or lead to pregnancy, despite myths suggesting otherwise.
Conclusion
Mormon soaking is more than a quirky internet meme—it’s a window into the complexities of faith, youth, and human nature. Caught between strict LDS chastity rules and natural desires, some young Mormons may turn to soaking as a flawed attempt to reconcile the two. While its prevalence is debated, its viral spread on TikTok and beyond highlights our fascination with religious subcultures. From BYU dorms to global headlines, soaking reminds us that even the most rigid rules can inspire creative, if misguided, workarounds.
As someone who’s lived the LDS experience, I find the topic both amusing and poignant. It’s a reminder that faith is deeply personal, and navigating it can be messy. Want to dive deeper into LDS culture or share your thoughts on Mormon soaking? Drop a comment below or join our newsletter for more insights into religion and culture.
