Chastity

Sorry it has been so long since my last post everybody. I have been drawing a blank on what to write about lately. Now I have an idea though. I'm not sure why I felt the need to write about this topic, but if ya'll would just bear with me, I'm sure that there is someone out there that this will benefit.

The topic that came to mind is the also the title of this blog: Chastity. What it is chastity? Well in the simplest definition I can offer it is to abstain from all sexual relations with another person outside of the legal bonds of marriage. That is a pretty simple definition from the world. Now let's see what the scriptures have to say about chastity shall we?

While teaching His disciples in both the Sermon on the Mount near Galilee, and those that were in the American continents, the Savior said about adultery, being part of chastity: 

"27 ¶Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

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." Matthew 5:27-28 (3 Nephi 12:27-28)

Why is it so important that we not just refrain from committing unchaste acts, but even more so refrain from the thoughts even entering into our minds? A righteous king in the Book of Mormon, referred to as King Benjamin, said this about our thoughts:

"30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." - Mosiah 4:30

Our thoughts are a part of who we are, and what we decide to do. We commit no act in life without first thinking it. 

For the Strength of Youth, a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publication, says the following regarding chastity and sexual purity:

"Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage.

When you are sexually pure, you prepare yourself to make and keep sacred covenants in the temple. You prepare yourself to build a strong marriage and to bring children into the world as part of an eternal and loving family. You protect yourself from the spiritual and emotional damage that come from sharing sexual intimacy outside of marriage. You also protect yourself from harmful diseases. Remaining sexually pure helps you to be confident and truly happy and improves your ability to make good decisions now and in the future.

The Lord’s standard regarding sexual purity is clear and unchanging. Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage. Do not allow the media, your peers, or others to persuade you that sexual intimacy before marriage is acceptable. It is not. In God’s sight, sexual sins are extremely serious. They defile the sacred power God has given us to create life. The prophet Alma taught that sexual sins are more serious than any other sins except murder or denying the Holy Ghost." For the Strength of Youth: Sexual Purity

The Lord has taught us that we need to Morally clean. We need to, "...let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly..." by doing so, "...then shall [our] confidence wax strong in the presence of God..." D&C 121:45

What is Chastity? What are the limits? Chastity is being morally clean before the Lord by respecting the powers of procreation given to us. As we obey this law and commandment of God, we show our obedience, and we prepare a better more respectful tomorrow for future generations.

Now, just for fun, let's watch a short video clip about simple ways to know how to be Chaste.

This also applies to adults, not just teenagers. Just so everyone is aware that they can't get out of it.

Prepared to Go

This Easter Sunday my missionary companion and I had the opportunity to accompany Bro. Harrelson  of the Eldorado Branch (congregation) to administer the Sacrament, bread and water, to a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who's health is failing in the hospital. It was a bitter sweet experience. I am not the biggest fan of visiting hospitals. There are usually only 2 reasons why I am there: 

1. Birth of a new addition to the family, or the family of a friend.
2. The passing of a friend and, or loved one. 

In this particular case it is the unfortunate closing of  the mortal life of a man with many friends and family that will be mourning his loss. It was bitter because of the knowledge that he will be leaving his loved ones in the mortal realm, but sweet because of the opportunity for him to partake of the sacrament and renew his covenants with his Heavenly Father before the end of his mortal life. What is the real significance of that ordinance of partaking of the sacrament you may ask? I'll address just a few of the reasons that I can think of as to why the sacrament is so important, and why I believe this man desired to have the opportunity to partake of it before he faced his final allotted time in mortality.

Let's start with the origin of the sacrament first shall we?

"26 ¶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it,and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." -Matthew 26:26-28

These verses and video depiction  teach us the first thing that the sacrament is meant to do for us. It is first there as symbol of rememberence of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is to help us remember the sacrifice of His suffering through the abuse of His Body, and the Loss of His Blood.

The Prayers used to bless the sacrament tell us more about its purpose.

"3 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with" -Moroni 4:3

"2 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen." -Moroni 5:2

When someone is baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the make covenants (two way promises) with God. Those covenants are renewed when that person partakes of the sacrament. They partake of the sacrament in essence to make those same promises or covenants again. There are many examples of what those covenants are in the scriptures. One such example is the one given by the prophet Alma as he taught the people at the waters of Mormon:

"8 ...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" -Mosiah 18:8-10

When we are baptized we make the promises to stand as a witness of God in all things, times, and places. We promise to lift others and serve them as an example of the Savior Jesus Christ. We promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ as one of His disciples. We also promise to keep the commandments which He has given us. We know that we are not perfect in keeping those commandments. This is why the sacrament is truly so important. Every time we sin, we need to repent in order to be clean again. The Atonement of Jesus Christ, His suffering and bleeding in the Garden, His suffering and death on the cross, and His resurrection from the grave 3 days later, makes it possible for us to fully repent of our sins. We only gain full and complete access to His Atoning sacrifice through making baptismal covenants. When we renew those covenants through partaking of the sacrament, we are again washed clean of our sins. 

Why was important to partake of the sacrament for this faithful disciple of Christ before departing his mortal existence. Only he can tell you, but if I were to make my best guest it would be because he recognizes the need he has to washed clean of his sins through the blood of Christ. He knows that in order to meet his Savior face to face and not turn his head away in any degree of shame, he must have every opportunity available to him to be "pure and spotless before God". -Alma 13:12

Prophets Speak Today

Just like in times of Old, God's Prophets are on the earth to speak to the people and teach us about our Heavenly Father's will and His plan for His children.

In the Old Testament of the Holy Bible we read about Noah, a prophet that was called to declare repentance to the whole earth.  We read  in Genesis Ch. 6 that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

" 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

9 ¶These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

14 ¶Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch...

22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he." - Genesis 6:8-14 & 22

Noah was called to be a Prophet. As a part of his command to build an ark and bring the animals onto it, he was also commanded to preach repentance unto the people.

" 16 And it came to pass that Noah prophesied, and taught the things of God, even as it was in the beginning.

17 And the Lord said unto Noah: My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he shall know that all flesh shall die; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years; and if men do not repent, I will send in the floods upon them...

19 And the Lord ordained Noah after his own order, and commanded him that he should go forth and declare his Gospel unto the children of men, even as it was given unto Enoch.

20 And it came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; but they hearkened not unto his words;" Moses 6:16-20

God told Noah to prophesy and teach the things of God, even as it was in the beginning. Noah taught the people the plan of God. The people in Noah's day did not listen to the Prophet that the Lord had given them. They chose instead to remain in wickedness. Their choices brought them to the unfortunate end of their existence when the floods came.

Today we are blessed to have living Prophets and Apostles on the Earth again. Our Father in Heaven loves us just as much as He has always loved His children. He shows us His love today by giving us Prophets once again. I know that we are blessed to have men living on the Earth today who are called to teach us all His Gospel. Just as in days of Old the teach us the things of God, even as it was in the beginning. You can know this for yourself as well. Below is a video of President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen to the words that he shares. Pay attention to how your heart feels as he speaks. When it's finished don't take my word that he is truly a Prophet, kneel and ask God. Your Father will tell you!