Keeping the Law of Chastity

Although we live in a world that disregards the law of chastity, our Heavenly Father considers it one of His greatest commandments. Ezra Taft Benson said, "From the beginning of time, the Lord has set a clear and unmistakable standard of sexual purity. It always has been, it is now, and it always will be the same. That standard is the law of chastity. It is the same for all—for men and women, for old and young, for rich and poor."

The quotes below come from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Ezra Taft Benson, Lesson 17. President Benson reminds us that, "God's law is irrevocable. It applies to all, whether they believe in God or not. Everyone is subject to its penalties, no matter how one tries to rationalize or ignore them."

President Benson's warnings are strong.

"Sexual immorality is a viper that is striking not only in the world, but in the Church today. Not to admit it is to be dangerously complacent or is like putting one’s head in the sand.

No sin is causing the loss of the Spirit of the Lord among our people more today than sexual promiscuity. It is causing our people to stumble, damning their growth, darkening their spiritual powers, and making them subject to other sins."

He offers counsel.

"Those who think clean thoughts do not do dirty deeds. You are not only responsible before God for your acts but also for controlling your thoughts. So live that you would not blush with shame if your thoughts and acts could be flashed on a screen in your church. The old adage is still true that you sow thoughts and you reap acts, you sow acts and you reap habits, you sow habits and you reap a character, and your character determines your eternal destiny.

Our homes must become bulwarks of strength through enthroning righteousness and bringing into them the peace, unity, and unselfishness engendered by personal purity, unquestioned fidelity, and simple family devotion. Parents must accept marriage as a divine institution, and honor parenthood."

He promises blessings.

"Our Heavenly Father desires nothing for us but to be happy. He tells us only those things that will bring us joy. And one of the surest principles given by God to help us find that joy is the law of chastity.

A reason for virtue—which includes personal chastity, clean thoughts and practices, and integrity—is that we must have the Spirit and the power of God in our lives to do God’s work.

When we obey the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will experience the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect for our marital partners, deeper commitment to each other, and therefore a deep and significant sense of joy and happiness."

Every prophet has emphasized the importance of this law, teaching the blessings that come from obedience to it and warning of the consequences when ignored.

In the August 1988 Ensign, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "Notwithstanding the so-called 'new morality,' notwithstanding the much-discussed changes in moral standards, there is no adequate substitute for virtue. God’s standards may be challenged everywhere throughout the world, but God has not abrogated his commandments. The violation of his commandments in this, as in any other age, brings only regret, sorrow, loss of self-respect, and in many cases tragedy. Rationalization and equivocation will not erase the cankering scar that blights the self-respect of a person who disobeys the law of chastity. Self-justification will never mend the heart of a person who has drifted into moral tragedy."

In 1996, President Hinckely was interviewed by Mike Wallace, which aired on the television program "60 Minutes." Mr. Wallace questioned President Hinckley on the Church's position on the morality. This was part of that interview:

Mr. Wallace: “You also have a moral code.”

President Hinckley: “We believe in chastity before marriage and total fidelity after marriage. That sums it up. That is the way to happiness in living. That is the way to satisfaction. It brings peace to the heart and peace to the home.”

Thomas S. Monson, in his April 2008 General Conference talk said: "We are surrounded by so much that is designed to divert our attention from those things which are virtuous and good.

The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The character of transgression remains the same."

In his October 2011 General Conference talk, President Monson said, "Evolving at a rapid rate has been the moral compass of society. Behaviors which once were considered inappropriate and immoral are now not only tolerated but also viewed by ever so many as acceptable.

Although the world has changed, the laws of God remain constant. They have not changed; they will not change.

Our code of conduct is definitive; it is not negotiable.

Our Father in Heaven is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In this world where nearly everything seems to be changing, His constancy is something on which we can rely, an anchor to which we can hold fast and be safe, lest we be swept away into uncharted waters."

In April 2015 General Conference, Ulisses S. Soares reminded us that, "We cannot allow ourselves to be confused by popular messages that are easily accepted by the world and that contradict the doctrine and true principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of these worldly messages represent nothing more than an attempt of our society to justify sin. We need to remember that, at the end, all will stand before Christ to be judged of our works, whether they are good or whether they are evil. As we encounter these worldly messages, great courage and a solid knowledge of the plan of our Heavenly Father will be required to choose the right.

All of us can receive the strength to choose the right if we seek the Lord and place all our trust and faith in Him."

Surely the importance of this subject is evident when an entire conference talk is devoted to it. That was the case with Elder David A. Bednar's April 2013 General Conference talk titled "We Believe in Being Chaste." It is definitely worth reading or reading again.

While it is true that we live in challenging times, President Monson offers us such great advice: "We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God. The storms will still beat at our doors from time to time, for they are an inescapable part of our existence in mortality. We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts." (October 2011 General Conference)