What Is the Law of Chastity?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 60-63 in a lesson titled “I Am with the Faithful Always.” The lesson was introduced by the following paragraphs.

In early August 1831, Joseph Smith and other elders of the Church were preparing to return to Kirtland after a short visit to the “land of Zion” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:3). The Lord had wanted them to preach the gospel during their trip (see Doctrine nd Covenants 52:10), and some of them did so diligently. But others were hesitant. “They hide the talent which I have given unto them,” the Lord said, “because of the fear of man” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:2). Many of us know how these elders felt. Even though we love the gospel, fear and doubt might keep us from sharing it. But the Lord is merciful. He “knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 62:1). Scattered throughout these revelations to early missionaries are reassurances that can help us overcome our fears and shortcomings: “I am able to make you holy.” “All flesh is in mine hand.” “I am with the faithful always.” And “He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world.” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7; 61:6; 62:9; 63:47.) 

The scripture block contains several principles, including (1) I can share my love and testimony of Jesus Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 60; 62, (2) The scriptures teach of Jesus Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 60:2-4; 61:1-2, 20, 36-38; 62:1, 6), (3) My decisions should balance “judgment and the direction of the Spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 62), (4) Signs come by faith and the will of God (Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-12), (5) I can be chaste in my thoughts and actions (Doctrine and Covenants 63:16), and (6) Sacred things should be treated with reverence (Doctrine and Covenants 63:58-64).

This essay will discuss principle #5 “I can be chaste in my thoughts and actions” (Doctrine and Covenants 63:16). We will first look at the applicable verse of scripture.

16 And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear.

In the above quoted scripture, the Savior reaffirmed what He taught in the New Testament – that the law of chastity should govern not just our actions but also our thoughts (see Matthew 5:27-28). This verse tells us that we commit adultery in our heart if we lust after anyone. It also says that adultery causes us to lose the Spirit.

Many people think the Lord’s standards of chastity of thought and action are old-fashioned or even oppressive. It would be wonderful if all of God’s children lived the law of chastity. Even when we know the blessings of being chaste in our thoughts and actions, it is not always easy to live the law. In his general conference address titled “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Elder David A. Bednar gave the following counsel: 

The means by which mortal life is created is divinely appointed. “The first commandment … God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129). The commandment to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force today. Thus, marriage between a man and a woman is the authorized channel through which premortal spirits enter mortality. Complete sexual abstinence before marriage and total fidelity within marriage protect the sanctity of this sacred channel.

The power of procreation is spiritually significant. Misuse of this power subverts the purposes of the Father’s plan and of our mortal existence. Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are creators and have entrusted each of us with a portion of Their creative power. Specific guidelines for the proper use of the ability to create life are vital elements in the Father’s plan. How we feel about and use that supernal power will determine in large measure our happiness in mortality and our destiny in eternity….

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a man and a woman in the marriage relationship prescribed in God’s plan. Such relations are not merely a curiosity to be explored, an appetite to be satisfied, or a type of recreation or entertainment to be pursued selfishly. They are not a conquest to be achieved or simply an act to be performed. Rather, they are in mortality one of the ultimate expressions of our divine nature and potential and a way of strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife. We are agents blessed with moral agency and are defined by our divine heritage as children of God—and not by sexual behaviors, contemporary attitudes, or secular philosophies….

The doctrine I have described will seem to be archaic and outdated to many people in a world that increasingly mocks the sanctity of procreation and minimizes the worth of human life. But the Lord’s truth is not altered by fads, popularity, or public opinion polls. I promise that obedience to the law of chastity will increase our happiness in mortality and make possible our progress in eternity. Chastity and virtue are now, always have been, and always will be “most dear and precious above all things” (Moroni 9:9). I so testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen (Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 41-44).

Law of Chastity

                The law of chastity provides divine protection to “the means by which mortal life is created” by restricting sexual relations to a man and a woman who are legally married. The proclamation further states that “the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife…. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity” (The Family – A Proclamation to the World). 

                With this understanding of the law of chastity, I found a recent article about Elizabeth Smart and the law of chastity to be very interesting. As my readers may recall, Elizabeth was only 14 years old when she was kidnapped by a man and his wife. The man considered Elizabeth to be his second wife and raped her on a daily basis for nine months until she was rescued. Elizabeth, similar to most abuse and rape victims, felt “worthless … filthy … dirty” even while knowing that she is a beloved spirit daughter of heavenly parents with divine worth.

                In the article Elizabeth suggested that parents and teachers emphasize the divine worth of each soul while also teaching the importance of abstinence and self-control. She said that our emphasis should be on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice because He can “make us pure, make us whole, and heal our broken hearts.”

                I believe that when discussing chastity there should always be a distinction made for victims of abuse, sexual violence, and rape. Rape and abuse victims have not broken the law of chastity. They have been sinned against, and we must never inflict more wounds upon them. One of the basic principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we are each responsible for our own sins. If someone sins against us, we have no need to take responsibility for their sin.   

 

                Sexual relations between a man and a woman united in a lawful marriage can be beautiful. In addition to children, they bring happiness to the couple and strength and unity to the marriage. Happy marriages and successful families are most often founded upon a man and a woman living the law of chastity as well as other gospel principles. There are many blessings that come from living this law, and we should always teach the law of chastity from the blessing point of view.

Law of Chastity

                The law of chastity is God’s law to protect the means by which life is given. The sexual ability was given to mankind for a few short years of mortality for two main purposes – to create physical bodies for Heavenly Father’s spirit children and to strengthen the bonds between husband and wife. The law of chastity was given to honor this great gift from God and to protect the source of life.

                The law of chastity can be best understood when one understands that the family is central to Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal happiness of His children. He created this earth for the very purpose that His spirit children could come here to “obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.” (See “The Family:A Proclamation to the World.)

                Elder David A. Bednar states, “Our physical bodies make possible a breadth, a depth, and an intensity of experience that simply could not be obtained in our premortal existence. Thus, or relationships with other people, our capacity to recognize and act in accordance with truth, and our ability to obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are amplified through our physical bodies.” (See David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign, May 2013,) 

                Spirits alone do not have the same capabilities as the combination of spirit and body. According to Elder Bednar, having a body helps us “to experience tenderness, love, kindness, happiness, sorrow, disappointment, pain, and even the challenges of physical limitations in ways that prepare us for eternity.” There are lessons that can be learned only by having a body.

                God created Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden. He then created Eve to be Adam’s wife and helpmeet. “The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females was needed to enact the plan of happiness…. The man and the woman are intended to learn from, strengthen, bless, and complete each other” (Bednar).

                Heavenly Father gave Adam and Eve specific instructions to “multiply and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). That commandment remains in force with God’s children on earth today.

                Elder Dallin H. Oaks explains, “The power to create mortal life is the most exalted power God has given his children. Its use was mandated in the first commandment, but another important commandment was given to forbid its misuse. The emphasis we place on the law of chastity is explained by our understanding of the purpose of our procreative powers in the accomplishment of God’s plan….

                “Outside the bonds of marriage, all uses of the procreative power are to one degree or another a sinful, degrading and perversion of the most divine attribute of men and women” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 74). 

                Anyone who violates the law of chastity commits a grievous sin and needs to repent. To those who know and understand God’s plan for the happiness of His children, breaking this law is “an act of rebellion” (Bednar).

                Sexual sin includes abstaining from masturbation, pornography, homosexuality, and any other misuse of the procreative powers. Simply stated, there should be “no sexual contact” with anyone before marriage and total fidelity to spouse after marriage. Anything less is sexual transgression.

                Elder Richard G. Scott compared sin to “cancer in the body. It will never heal itself. It will become worse unless cured through repentance…. You can become clean and pure by repentance under the guidance of the bishop.” (See Richard G. Scott, “Making the Right Choices,” Ensign, Nov. 1994.) 

                Heavenly Father wants His children to be morally clean and gave the law of chastity to assist them. He wants His children to stay clean and pure in body and mind because He wants all of them to return to His presence. Amulek declared, “no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Alma 11:37). God will help His children to keep the law of chastity if they will turn to Him in faith.

Family Proclamation, Part 4

Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when individuals understand and live the principles contained in the inspired document known as “The Family:  A Proclamation to the World.”  The proclamation on the family is inspired counsel from living apostles and prophets and contains counsel to help strengthen marriages and families. 

The fourth paragraph of the proclamation on the family reminds us that God commanded Adam and Eve to “multiply and replenish the earth” and states that this commandment is still in force.  “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.  We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.  We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedding as husband and wife.”

We can read this commandment to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:  and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Living apostles and prophets often speak about the importance of reserving human intimacy to a man and woman legally and lawfully married.  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said:  “Secondly, may I stress that human 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.  From the Garden of Eden onward, marriage was intended to mean the complete merger of a man and a woman – their hearts, hopes, lives, love, family, future, everything.  Adam said of Eve that she was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, and that they were to be `one flesh’ in their life together.  This is a union of such completeness that we use the word seal to convey its eternal promise….  But such a total union, such an unyielding commitment between a man and a woman, can only come with the proximately and permanence afforded in a marriage covenant, with solemn promises and the pledge of all they possess – their very hearts and minds, all their days and all their dreams.”

The law of chastity is an important law for us to know and understand, and the importance of this law cannot be overstated.  This video uses the counsel of modern prophets to teach us how to stay chaste and to find happiness and peace in our lives.

Keeping the law of chastity is important because it involves the channel through which we come to earth.  It involves the creation of the physical bodies for the spirit children of Heavenly Father to inhabit.  God’s plan for the happiness of His children involves marriage and family life; it involves a man and a woman welcoming children into their lives and into their home.  This conduit must be kept clean and pure in order to create the strongest and most capable physical body for the child.  Babies arrive in this world as pure and innocent as their spirits were in heaven.  Each baby deserves a healthy and strong body to live out his/her days on this earth.  This is the reason why God commands that the powers of procreation should be employed only by a husband and wife, legally and lawfully married.

I testify of the importance of obedience to all the commandments of God.  I know that it is important for us to obey God’s commandments concerning marriage and family in order to avoid problems, pains and suffering.  I know that we can gain the greatest happiness and joy from obedience to the law of chastity.

Chastity and Virtue

                    The law of chastity is very simple to understand:  We are to have sexual relations only with our spouse to whom we are legally and lawfully married.  No one, male or female, is to have sexual relations before marriage.  After marriage, sexual relations are performed only with our spouse.

                    The law of chastity is not a new law because the Lord told the Israelites, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).  This law has been repeated with the very same words in our day (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:24).  The law of chastity means more than sexual intercourse.  The First Presidency warned of other sexual sins:  "Before marriage, do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage.  Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person's body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do that with you.  Do not arouse those emotions in your own body" (For the Strength of Youth [pamphlet, 2001], 27).

                    A person who lives the law of chastity is said to be virtuous, but virtue is actually more than just being chaste.  "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.  It includes chastity and [moral] purity….  Virtue is a requirement to have the companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost….  Being virtuous is a requirement to enter the temple.  And it is a requirement to be worthy to stand in the Savior's presence" (Elaine S. Dalton, "Guardians of Virtue," Ensign, 121-124).

                    Homosexual behavior is a serious sin just like other violations of the law of chastity.  Latter-day prophets have warned about the dangers of homosexual behavior and about concern for people who may have such inclinations.  President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "In the first place, we believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.  We believe that marriage may be eternal through exercise of the power of the everlasting priesthood in the house of the Lord.

                    "People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians.  My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God.  They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control.  Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times.  If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church.  If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.

                    "We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties.  But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation.  To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families" (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71).

                    So why is obedience to the law of chastity so important?  When God created the earth, He commanded each living thing to reproduce after its own kind (see Genesis 1:22).  It was part of God's plan that all forms of life would continue to exist on the earth through reproduction of their own kind.

                    After God created all the animals, birds, fish, etc, He created Adam and Eve after His own image.  They were His spirit children, and He brought them together in eternal marriage in the Garden of Eden.  Then He commanded them to multiply and replenish the earth (see Genesis 1:28).  They were to govern their lives by moral laws and not by animal instincts.

                    God planned for His spirit children to be born into families where they could be cared for and taught properly.  As the posterity of Adam and Eve, we too are to provide bodies for God's spirit children.  The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stated, "We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed" ("The Family:  A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).  God has commanded that sexual relations are to take place in a legal and lawful marriage between a man and a woman.  This commandment is the law of chastity.

                    Satan is cunning and powerful as he does all that he can to destroy the plan of God by enticing us to break the law of chastity.  Because Heavenly Father wants us to keep our bodies covered modestly, Satan attacks the standards of modesty.  Satan knows that immodest dress encourages improper thoughts and actions.  Satan also tempts us through our emotions and chooses a time when we are lonely, confused, or depressed to tempt us to break the law of chastity.  If we will rely on Heavenly Father, He will give us the strength to pass through these trials unharmed.

                    Genesis 39:1-18 tells the story of a righteous young man named Joseph, who was trusted by his master Potiphar.  Joseph had command over everything that belonged to Potiphar.  When Potiphar's wife lusted after Joseph and tempted him to commit adultery with her, Joseph resisted and fled from her, exclaiming, "There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife:  how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God" (italics added).

                    Breaking the law of chastity is very serious.  The prophet Alma told his son Corianton that unchastity is next to murder in seriousness when he said,  "Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Christ, Alma 39:5).

                    Heavenly Father wants all of His children to obey the law of chastity and any members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who break this law or influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline.  Those who break the law of chastity can receive forgiveness and peace, but the way is not easy.  President Spencer W. Kimball said, "To every forgiveness there is a condition.  … The fasting, the prayers, the humility must be equal to or greater than the sin.  There must be a broken heart and a contrite spirit….  There must be tears and genuine change of heart.  There must be conviction of the sin, abandonment of the evil, confession of the error to properly constituted authorities of the Lord" (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 353).

                    Confession is usually the most difficult part of repentance for confession must be not only to the Lord but to those who have been offended.  President Kimball warned, "Even though forgiveness is so abundantly promised there is no promise or indication of forgiveness to any soul who does not totally repent ….  We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect repeated forgiveness" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, 353, 360).

                    Chastity and virtue are "most dear and precious above all things" (Book of Mormon, Mormon 9:9) and must be guarded both in ourselves and in others.  We must prepare ourselves daily for this duty by daily personal prayer, daily scripture study, and by weekly attendance at Church.  Sister Dalton suggested that we can make "decisions in advance [to] help you be guardians of virtue … write a list of things you will always do and things you will never do.  Then live your list.

                    "Being a guardian of virtue means you will always be modest not only in your dress but also in your speech, your actions, and your use of social media.  Being a guardian of virtue … means that you understand the importance of chastity because you understand that your body is a temple and that the sacred powers of procreation are not to be tampered with [outside of] marriage.  You understand that you possess a sacred power that involves the holy responsibility of bringing other spirits to earth to receive a body in which to house their eternal spirit.  This power involves another sacred soul.  You are a guardian of something `more precious than rubies' [Proverbs 3:15].  Be faithful.  Be obedient…."

                    Living the law of chastity helps us to live without guilt or shame.  It also brings blessings into our own life and into the lives of our children and grandchildren, born and unborn.  Our children look to our example and follow in our footsteps, and we must make sure we are walking in the ways we should be going. 

Sexual Morality

Families are strengthened when parents understand and live the law of chastity and then teach God's law of sexual morality appropriately to their children. All members of our families need to understand that our bodies are sacred and should be protected. We all need to understand that our bodies can become defiled just as easily and simply as a building can have graffiti written on it.

The Apostle Paul compared our bodies to temples when he said, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (See 1 Corinthians 3:16.) Paul also said, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)

When Paul was warning the Saints of his day to avoid serious sins, he named several sexual sins: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind." (See 1 Corinthians 6:9.)

In order for us to teach the law of chastity to our children, we need to know what immorality consists of. Sexual immorality is "Any sexual intimacy outside of the bonds of marriage - I mean any intentional contact with the sacred, private parts of another's body, with or without clothing - is a sin and is forbidden by God. It is also a transgression to intentionally stimulate these emotions within your own body" (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 38).

Parents and children may not understand what specific parts of our bodies are sacred and private. We can be sure that any part of our bodies that would be covered by a modest swimsuit should be considered sacred and private. Parents should model and children should understand that dressing modestly helps us to protect our bodies in many ways.

Sexual sins are so serious because they affect our eternal salvation. We cannot enter the temples or into the kingdom of God if we are unclean. Immorality is also serious because sexual sins affect the very fountains of life. God ordained that sexual relations are to take place within a legal and lawful marriage between a man and a woman. When we follow the will of God, we take part in keeping the fountains of life clean and pure. "[Satan] knows that this power of creation is not just an incident to the plan, but the key to it. He knows that if he can entice you to use this power prematurely, to use it too soon, or to misuse it in any way, you may well lose your opportunities for eternal progression" (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, July 1972, 112).

There is much deception in the world about immorality, and adults, teens, and children must be warned in order to avoid them. "One of the most pervasive deceptions in recent years is the notion that immorality is normal and acceptable and has no negative consequences. In truth, immorality is the underlying cause of much suffering and many other problems that are prevalent today, including rampant disease, abortion, broken families, families without fathers, and mothers who themselves are children" (Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 76).

Satan tempts us in many ways and uses numerous methods to convince us that there are exceptions to the law of chastity. "Satan tempts one to believe that there are allowable levels of physical contact between consenting individuals who seek the powerful stimulation of emotions they produce, and if kept within bounds, no harm will result. As a witness of Jesus Christ, I testify that is absolutely false…." (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 38).

It is possible to withstand the temptations of Satan if we take the correct precautions. The Apostle Paul taught, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Elder Scott explained one way that we can escape temptations: "Decide what you will and will not do. When temptation comes, do not change your standards."

There is hope for any who have already broken the law of chastity because Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself through His atoning sacrifice if we are repentant. Several scriptures attest to the possibility of becoming clean through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord remember them no more.
"By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them" (Doctrine and Covenants 58:42-43).

Immorality is very destructive to individuals, marriages, and families. The earlier people recognize sin and start the repentance process, the stronger their families will be. Repentance from sexual sins is not easy, but it is possible and very worthwhile. A better situation would be to avoid sexual sins in the first place. Parents can strengthen their families by modeling and teaching obedience to the law of chastity.

Law of Chastity

The law of chastity is very simple to understand: We are to have sexual relations only with our spouse to whom we are legally and lawfully married. No one, male or female, is to have sexual relations before marriage. After marriage, sexual relations are performed only with our spouse.

The law of chastity is not a new law because the Lord told the Israelites, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). This law has been repeated in modern days (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:24). The law of chastity means more than sexual intercourse. The First Presidency warned of other sexual sins: "Before marriage, do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person's body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do that with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body" (For the Strength of Youth [pamphlet, 2001], 27).

Homosexual behavior is a serious sin just like other violations of the law of chastity. Latter-day prophets have warned about the dangers of homosexual behavior and about concern for people who may have such inclinations. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "In the first place, we believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that marriage may be eternal through exercise of the power of the everlasting priesthood in the house of the Lord.

"People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.

"We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families" (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71).

So why is obedience to the law of chastity so important? When God created the earth, He commanded each living thing to reproduce after its own kind (see Genesis 1:22). It was part of God's plan that all forms of life would continue to exist on the earth through reproduction of their own kind.

After God created all the animals, birds, fish, etc, He created Adam and Eve after His own image. They were His spirit children, and He brought them together in marriage in the Garden of Eden. Then He commanded them to multiply and replenish the earth (see Genesis 1:28). They were to govern their lives by moral laws and not by animal instincts.

God planned for His spirit children to be born into families where they could be cared for and taught properly. As the posterity of Adam and Eve, we too are to provide bodies for God's spirit children. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stated, "We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). God has commanded that sexual relations are to take place in a legal and lawful marriage between a man and a woman. This commandment is the law of chastity.

Satan is cunning and powerful as he does all that he can to destroy the plan of God by enticing us to break the law of chastity. Because Heavenly Father wants us to keep our bodies covered modestly, Satan attacks the standards of modesty. Satan knows that immodest dress encourages improper thoughts and actions. Satan also tempts us through our emotions and chooses a time when we are lonely, confused, or depressed to tempt us to break the law of chastity. If we will rely on Heavenly Father, He will give us the strength to pass through these trials unharmed.

Genesis 39:1-18 tells the story of a righteous young man named Joseph, who was trusted by his master Potiphar. Joseph had command over everything that belonged to Potiphar. When Potiphar's wife lusted after Joseph and tempted him to commit adultery with her, Joseph resisted and fled from her.

Breaking the law of chastity is very serious. The prophet Alma told his son Corianton that unchastity is next to murder in seriousness when he said, "Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" (Alma 39:5).

Heavenly Father wants all of His children to obey the law of chastity and any members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who break this law or influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline. Those who break the law of chastity can receive forgiveness and peace, but the way is not easy. President Spencer W. Kimball said, "To every forgiveness there is a condition. … The fasting, the prayers, the humility must be equal to or greater than the sin. There must be a broken heart and a contrite spirit…. There must be tears and genuine change of heart. There must be conviction of the sin, abandonment of the evil, confession of the error to properly constituted authorities of the Lord" (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 353).

Confession is usually the most difficult part of repentance for confession must be not only to the Lord but to those who have been offended. President Kimball warned, "Even though forgiveness is so abundantly promised there is no promise nor indication of forgiveness to any soul who does not totally repent …. We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect repeated forgiveness" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, 353, 360).

Living the law of chastity helps us to live without guilt or shame. It also brings blessings into our own life and into the lives of our children. Our children look to our example and follow in our footsteps.