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.