Difference between revisions of "Law of Chastity"

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Our [[Heavenly Father|Father in Heaven]] and the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] have given us the sacred power to generate children. However, they have also established laws that govern the use of this power. Sometimes people think that [[Adam and Eve]]’s transgression was a sexual transgression, but this is a mistake. Our Heavenly Father told Adam and Eve to have children after they were married and this implies that sexual relations among married people are proper and good.  
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The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], casually called the [[Mormon Church]], takes a firm, unwavering stand regarding the issue of chastity.  The stand taken by the Church upholds not only the Ten Commandments and the Gospel of Christ, but constant latter-day revelation as well.  The Law of Chastity is an important aspect of the Latter-day Saint view of [[marriage]] and the [[families|family]] as holy, sacred institutions. (See the [[Proclamation to the World]]). The Law of Chastity is simply this: sexual relations belong within the bonds of legal matrimony. This implies that there should be no sexual relations before marriage, and after marriage there should only be sexual relations between husband and wife.  Marriage, by definition, is a legal union between a [[Same-sex attraction|male and a female]]:
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:The physical relationship between a husband and a wife is ordained of God for the procreation of children and for the expression of love within a marriage: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).  
  
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The purpose of having children is to provide physical bodies to the spirit children of God. In Mormonism the physical body is considered one of the greatest gifts that God has given us, since our Father in Heaven has a perfect body of flesh and bones, and He wants His children to become more like Him.  
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===The Gift of Procreation===
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Mormons believe that the ability to procreate is a gift from God, in fact one of God's greatest gifts. Mormons believe in a [[Plan of Salvation]], in which God is the literal father of the spirits of all who dwell on earth.  Men and women are co-creators with God in providing bodies for His spirit-children.  God has established laws which govern the use of this sacred power. Satan, on the other hand, introduces thousands of ways to compromise, ruin, or corrupt the gift of procreation.
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:As President Joseph F. Smith expressed it: "Sexual union is lawful in wedlock, and if participated in with right intent is honorable and sanctifying. But without the bonds of marriage, sexual indulgence is a debasing sin, abominable in the sight of Deity." (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., p. 309.)
  
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This Mormon belief is sometimes misunderstood by other Christian denominations. The teachings of many other Christian denominations have been influenced by certain aspects of Greek philosophy that promote a vision of body and spirit as opposite elements and tend to consider a physical body as “unworthy” of a perfect being like God. However, Mormons believe in the literal physical [[resurrection]] of Jesus Christ, and know that a body is a great blessing coming from God and not something “inferior” or “evil” by itself. Therefore, to say that God has a perfect resurrected body doesn’t diminish His power and glory.
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This quote from a [[Mormon prophet]] reveals much about the Mormon view of the physical body.  
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Though Satan tempts Man through his bodily appetites and passions, Mormons don't view the body as inherently corrupt or evil. Man's work on the earth is to learn to govern his bodily appetites and keep them within the bounds the Lord has set.
  
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Since the body is so important in [[Plan of Salvation|God's plan]], the power to have children is very sacred, and God has given us a law that tells us how and when we can use this power. This law is called the law of chastity in Mormonism. This law states that we should have sexual relations only with the person to whom we are legally married and with nobody else. This implies that we can’t have sexual relations with anybody before we are married, and after we are married we can only have sexual relations with our legal husband or wife.
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===The Consequences of Sexual Sin===
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Commandments such as the Law of Chastity are not meant to afflict Mankind, but to protect men and women from the myriad of woes that accompany the breaking of this law:
  
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The physical relationship between a husband and a wife is ordained of God for the procreation of children and for the expression of love within a marriage: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).  
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:"No more loathsome cancer disfigures the body and soul of society today than the frightful affliction of sexual sin. It vitiates the very fountains of life, and bequeaths its foul effects to the yet unborn as a legacy of death. It lurks in hamlet and city, in the mansion and in the hovel as a ravening beast in wait for prey; and it skulks through the land in blasphemous defiance of the laws of God and of man." (Era, vol. 20, p. 739.)  
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[[Homosexual]] and lesbian activities are sinful and an abomination to the Lord (Romans 1:26–27, 31) and people who have [[Same-sex attraction|same-sex attraction]] are commanded to learn to control those feeling and do not act on them in the same way as married people need to avoid infidelity. (See [[Evergreen International]])
 
  
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:Further: "Like many bodily diseases, sexual crime drags with itself a train of other ills. As the physical effects of drunkenness entail the deterioration of tissue, and disturbance of vital functions, and so render the body receptive of any distemper to which it may be exposed, and at the same time lower the powers of resistance even to fatal deficiency, so does unchastity expose the soul to divers spiritual maladies, and rob it of both resistance and recuperative ability. The adulterous generation of Christ's day were deaf to the voice of truth, and through their diseased state of mind and heart, sought after signs and preferred empty fable to the message of salvation. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.709)
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These prophetic quotes are strongly worded.  Those who keep the commandments of God receive the ability to see, to discern right from wrong, to perceive the real consequences of sin.  People who live  the Law of Chastity are aware that promiscuity breeds loneliness; sexuality kills romance; illicit sexual activity murders trust and breeds lies; pornography is addictive, sucks the life out of relationships, and encourages aberrant behavior; casual sex blunts emotions and causes physical and psychological disease; and adultery ruins families.
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===The Higher Law===
 
Under the Law of Chastity, Mormons are held to Christ's higher law set out in the New Testament.  
 
Under the Law of Chastity, Mormons are held to Christ's higher law set out in the New Testament.  
  
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27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  
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:Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  
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  28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
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:But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:27,28)
 
   
 
   
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Mormons are told to avoid all thoughts, intents, and actions that arouse improper sexual conduct. They are comanded not to arouse any emotions that can only be expressed between a husband and wife. Things such as pornography and masturbation are against the Law of Chastity. Mormons are told to learn to control their thoughts and not to arouse sexual feelings before or outside of marrage. Mormon youth are taught to avoid petting, passionate kissing, and improper touching.
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Mormons are encouraged to avoid all thoughts, intents, and actions that arouse improper sexual conduct. They are commanded not to arouse any emotions that can only be expressed between a husband and wife. Behavior such as viewing pornography and masturbation are against the Law of Chastity. Mormons are told to learn to control their thoughts and not to arouse sexual feelings before or outside of marriage. Mormon youth are taught to avoid petting, passionate kissing, and improper touching. (See [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=67852ce2b446c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=3f46be335dc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a ''For the Strength of Youth''].)
  
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It is important to mention that, according to Mormonism, victims of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse are not guilty of sin and they need to be helped to overcome the unwanted consequences of someone else's sin. The scriptures confirm these teachings:  
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===The Burden of Guilt===
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It is important to mention that, according to Mormonism, victims of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse are not guilty of sin, and they need to be helped to overcome the unwanted consequences of someone else's sin. The scriptures confirm these teachings.  It is also important to note that sexual sins are various and do not all carry the same burden of seriousness and guilt:
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:Sex immorality is made up of offenses against God of all kinds and degrees. All are evil and damning in their nature, with some, however, being much more so than others. "We are of the opinion there are more grades or degrees of sin associated with the improper relationship of the sexes than of any other wrongdoing of which we have knowledge." President Smith also said. "They all involve a grave offense - the sin against chastity, but in numerous instances this sin is intensified by the breaking of sacred covenants, to which is sometimes added deceit, intimidation, or actual violence. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.708)
  
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:This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.... Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:16–17, 19–21).
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===Repentance for Sexual Sin===
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[[Repentance]] for sexual sin is difficult, because it is nearly impossible to make restitution.  How does one restore stolen virtue?  But all sexual sin can be repented for. Adultery is considered by Mormons to be a sin of great seriousness, following murder.  Sexual sin is grievous when committed by a person who has full knowledge and understanding of the laws of God, especially those who have made [[Temple endowment|temple covenants]]. But there are those who are new to the Law of Chastity and have been misled by the false teachings of the world:  
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:"Much as all these sins are to be denounced and deplored, we can ourselves see a difference both in intent and consequence between the offense of a young couple, who, being betrothed, in an unguarded moment, without premeditation fall into sin, and that of the man, who having entered into holy places and made sacred covenants, plots to rob the wife of his neighbor of her virtue either by cunning or force and [who] accomplishes his vile intent." (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., p. 310.)  
  
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The Mormon law of chastity in our modern world may seem out of fashion, but it is a very important commandment from God, and breaking it constitutes one of the most grievous sins, second only to murder.  For those who may think that these are harsh words, Mormons like to remember that, especially for those who didn’t understand this principle correctly before, and were misled by false teaching of the world, there is always the possibility of being forgiven through sincere [[repentance]].
 
 
[[Category: Principles]][[Category:Marriage and Families]][[Category:Mormon Life and Culture]][[Category:Controversial Topics]]
 
[[Category: Principles]][[Category:Marriage and Families]][[Category:Mormon Life and Culture]][[Category:Controversial Topics]]

Revision as of 13:08, 19 December 2007

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, casually called the Mormon Church, takes a firm, unwavering stand regarding the issue of chastity. The stand taken by the Church upholds not only the Ten Commandments and the Gospel of Christ, but constant latter-day revelation as well. The Law of Chastity is an important aspect of the Latter-day Saint view of marriage and the family as holy, sacred institutions. (See the Proclamation to the World). The Law of Chastity is simply this: sexual relations belong within the bonds of legal matrimony. This implies that there should be no sexual relations before marriage, and after marriage there should only be sexual relations between husband and wife. Marriage, by definition, is a legal union between a male and a female:

The physical relationship between a husband and a wife is ordained of God for the procreation of children and for the expression of love within a marriage: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).

The Gift of Procreation

Mormons believe that the ability to procreate is a gift from God, in fact one of God's greatest gifts. Mormons believe in a Plan of Salvation, in which God is the literal father of the spirits of all who dwell on earth. Men and women are co-creators with God in providing bodies for His spirit-children. God has established laws which govern the use of this sacred power. Satan, on the other hand, introduces thousands of ways to compromise, ruin, or corrupt the gift of procreation.

As President Joseph F. Smith expressed it: "Sexual union is lawful in wedlock, and if participated in with right intent is honorable and sanctifying. But without the bonds of marriage, sexual indulgence is a debasing sin, abominable in the sight of Deity." (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., p. 309.)

This quote from a Mormon prophet reveals much about the Mormon view of the physical body. Though Satan tempts Man through his bodily appetites and passions, Mormons don't view the body as inherently corrupt or evil. Man's work on the earth is to learn to govern his bodily appetites and keep them within the bounds the Lord has set.

The Consequences of Sexual Sin

Commandments such as the Law of Chastity are not meant to afflict Mankind, but to protect men and women from the myriad of woes that accompany the breaking of this law:

"No more loathsome cancer disfigures the body and soul of society today than the frightful affliction of sexual sin. It vitiates the very fountains of life, and bequeaths its foul effects to the yet unborn as a legacy of death. It lurks in hamlet and city, in the mansion and in the hovel as a ravening beast in wait for prey; and it skulks through the land in blasphemous defiance of the laws of God and of man." (Era, vol. 20, p. 739.)
Further: "Like many bodily diseases, sexual crime drags with itself a train of other ills. As the physical effects of drunkenness entail the deterioration of tissue, and disturbance of vital functions, and so render the body receptive of any distemper to which it may be exposed, and at the same time lower the powers of resistance even to fatal deficiency, so does unchastity expose the soul to divers spiritual maladies, and rob it of both resistance and recuperative ability. The adulterous generation of Christ's day were deaf to the voice of truth, and through their diseased state of mind and heart, sought after signs and preferred empty fable to the message of salvation. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.709)

These prophetic quotes are strongly worded. Those who keep the commandments of God receive the ability to see, to discern right from wrong, to perceive the real consequences of sin. People who live the Law of Chastity are aware that promiscuity breeds loneliness; sexuality kills romance; illicit sexual activity murders trust and breeds lies; pornography is addictive, sucks the life out of relationships, and encourages aberrant behavior; casual sex blunts emotions and causes physical and psychological disease; and adultery ruins families.

The Higher Law

Under the Law of Chastity, Mormons are held to Christ's higher law set out in the New Testament.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:27,28)

Mormons are encouraged to avoid all thoughts, intents, and actions that arouse improper sexual conduct. They are commanded not to arouse any emotions that can only be expressed between a husband and wife. Behavior such as viewing pornography and masturbation are against the Law of Chastity. Mormons are told to learn to control their thoughts and not to arouse sexual feelings before or outside of marriage. Mormon youth are taught to avoid petting, passionate kissing, and improper touching. (See For the Strength of Youth.)

The Burden of Guilt

It is important to mention that, according to Mormonism, victims of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse are not guilty of sin, and they need to be helped to overcome the unwanted consequences of someone else's sin. The scriptures confirm these teachings. It is also important to note that sexual sins are various and do not all carry the same burden of seriousness and guilt:

Sex immorality is made up of offenses against God of all kinds and degrees. All are evil and damning in their nature, with some, however, being much more so than others. "We are of the opinion there are more grades or degrees of sin associated with the improper relationship of the sexes than of any other wrongdoing of which we have knowledge." President Smith also said. "They all involve a grave offense - the sin against chastity, but in numerous instances this sin is intensified by the breaking of sacred covenants, to which is sometimes added deceit, intimidation, or actual violence. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.708)

Repentance for Sexual Sin

Repentance for sexual sin is difficult, because it is nearly impossible to make restitution. How does one restore stolen virtue? But all sexual sin can be repented for. Adultery is considered by Mormons to be a sin of great seriousness, following murder. Sexual sin is grievous when committed by a person who has full knowledge and understanding of the laws of God, especially those who have made temple covenants. But there are those who are new to the Law of Chastity and have been misled by the false teachings of the world:

"Much as all these sins are to be denounced and deplored, we can ourselves see a difference both in intent and consequence between the offense of a young couple, who, being betrothed, in an unguarded moment, without premeditation fall into sin, and that of the man, who having entered into holy places and made sacred covenants, plots to rob the wife of his neighbor of her virtue either by cunning or force and [who] accomplishes his vile intent." (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., p. 310.)
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