Chastity--What It Means to Live the Law of Chastity

The Law of Chastity safeguards the power of procreation

The Law of Chastity was given to us by Heavenly Father because he loves us and wants to protect us. The power he gave us--the power to give life--is strictly safeguarded by clear commandment:

“Thou shalt not…commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it.” 1

That “kill” and “adultery” are listed simultaneously in this commandment should signal their near seriousness and importance to God. Nothing could be further from the Lord’s way of life than taking life; he is wholly devoted to giving and saving life. 2

Sexual sin is a violation of the Law of Chastity; it is tampering with the God-given powers of procreation—the power to give life. Therefore, sexual sin approaches murder in gravity. Consequently, only the sin of murder--taking life--results in more misery than sexual transgression. 3 And conversely, only giving life results in more joy than properly using of the powers of procreation—meaning a husband and wife experience the greatest happiness by having children.

What is the Law of Chastity?

Heavenly Father delights in chastity and hates sexual sin. 4 Therefore, he gave us the Law of Chastity.

The Law of Chastity includes:

1. Strict abstinence from sexual relations before marriage
2. Complete fidelity and loyalty to one’s spouse after marriage.

Violations of the Law of Chatisty include:

• Any sexual sin, with or without a partner
• Any sexual sin with or without clothing
• Any sexual sin by thought or by action, which include:
  • Any activity that sexually arouses you or a partner
  • Passionate kissing
  • Petting
  • Fornication
  • Homosexual activity
  • Self-stimulation
  • Viewing soft or hard pornographic material

All these are violations of the Law of Chastity and fall within the category of sexual sin—meaning "anything like unto it.” No sexual activity, despite how minor it may seem, is exempt from the Law of Chastity.

The Law of Chastity--God's purpose and Satan's deception

God's Law of Chastity approves physical intimacy between husband and wife, which is beautiful and sacred and brings the couple incredible joy. Physical intimacy is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love within marriage.

However, Satan encouratges people to break the Law of Chastity. He has deceived many people to believe that sexual intimacy, including acts or thoughts that sexually stimulate, is acceptable and normal. Satan even tries to cause us to rationalize of actions: "if the participants love one another then sexual relations must be permissible."

This is completely false.

Breaking the Law of Chastity or causing someone else to break the Law of Chastity is not an expression of love; it is an expression of selfishness and undisciplined passion. People who love each other never would endanger one another’s happiness and safety in exchange for temporary personal pleasure.

If a man and a woman truly love one another enough to keep the Law of Chastity, they will experience trust, a deepening commitment, greater happiness and unbreakable unity.

On the other hand, relationships built on sexual immorality quickly disintegrate, because sin always results in feelings of misery, fear, guilt, shame, mistrust, jealousy, bitterness, and eventually hatred.

Therefore, Heavenly Father has given us the Law of Chastity to protect us from these negative results and to bless us with long-term happiness, peace, and strength of character.

The Law of Chastity and a prophet's counsel

A prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, said this concerning the Law of Chastity:

“To be specific, let us postulate clearly and unmistakably that all sexual life outside of the proper marriage association--I said the proper marriage association--are evil and forbidden by God, and the unrepentant and those who indulge in these will be disillusioned. Easy it is to create excuses and escapes to cover our own weaknesses. The fornicator minimizes his sins. The robber justifies his thievery. The pervert says that God made him that way. The petter rationalizes his act into insignificance. Let it be understood without equivocation that the common indulgences are transgressions, for sin is the breaking of the divine law.” 5

Repentance from violating the Law of Chastity

Sexual purity is absolutely essential to receive baptism and later enter into the temples of God.

Repentance from violating the Law of Chastity must include complete confession of the sin to your church leader (bishop or branch president). These men represent the Lord and hold priesthood keys to walk you through the steps of repentance.

The result is sweet peace of forgiveness replacing the despair of sin.

“…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” 6

Questions about 'Chastity--What It Means to Live the Law of Chastity'

• Why did Heavenly Father give us the Law of Chastity?



• A commandment regardng the Law of Chastity states: "Thou shalt not…commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it. What does like unto it mean?



• Heavenly Father is completely devoted to giving and saving life. How does knowing this help us understand the seriousness of violating the Law of Chastity?



• How does the Law of Chastity safeguard and keep sacred the God-give power of procreation?



• Can happiness ever result from violating the Law of Chastity? What is the guaranteed result of breaking the Law of Chastity?



• What are two statements that define the Law of Chastitiy?



• Violations of the Law of Chastity are many. Can you name some of them? Are there exemptions?



• What are some ways that Satan tries to get us to break the Law of Chastity, and what is his deception?



• Is breaking the Law of Chastity or causing someone to break the Law of Chastity an expression of love? What is a true expression of love?



• If you have broken the Law of Chastity, is repentance and forgiveness possible? What should you do, and what will be the result?

References for 'Chastity--What It Means to Live the Law of Chastity'

1. D&C 59:6
2. Moses 1:39 – For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
3. Alma 39:3-5 – And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. 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?
4. Jacob 2:7 – And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;
5. We Believe, p. 984
6. Isaiah 1:18