Do we really understand what chastity means? Satan is doing his best to twist and corrupt this very important doctrine of heaven. But that’s just it. Why is Satan so bent on his destruction of this one part of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Likely, because it is at the very foundation of the plan of our Heavenly Father. After reading what Paul had to say, I’ve been able to learn the broader view, or rather a more intimate and eternal view, of the importance of chastity.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is preaching the doctrine of Christ to Christians while discounting the old Jewish law and the Greek philosophies of men. And he minces no words. And because Paul is a genius debater, he often argues through opposition and challenge of beliefs.

First, we need to understand that the old Jewish law is the Law of Moses, where everything is so exact and frankly, without spirit. The Pharisees were so determined to exact “The Law” that they literally missed the mark. They didn’t understand “The Why” of the law’s importance.

Many people in our day don’t understand “The Why” of the Law of Chastity. Luckily, we have Latter-day prophets who explain things so well for us that we cannot not understand.

Over the years, many leaders of our church have spoken out against promiscuity. Yet, it continues to be a problem. But our leaders continue to remind us of the covenants we have made in the temple and explain to us of their importance to our salvation.

A few years ago, Dallin H. Oaks said,

“It is essential that God’s spirit children have mortal birth and an opportunity to progress toward eternal life. Consequently, all things related to procreation are prime targets for the adversary’s efforts to thwart the plan of God” (“The Great Plan of Happiness,” Oct. 1993.)

He further explains that the law of chastity is based on the understanding we must have of why we even have procreative powers. For example, he says,

“Our attitude toward abortion is not based on revealed knowledge of when mortal life begins for legal purposes. It is fixed by our knowledge that according to an eternal plan all of the spirit children of God must come to this earth for a glorious purpose.”

And then he states these condemning words:

“Some who do not know the plan of salvation behave like promiscuous animals, but Latter-day Saints—especially those who are under sacred covenants—have no such latitude. We are solemnly responsible to God for the destruction or misuse of the creative powers he has placed within us.”

I recently read that our youth today are getting their sex education from pornography. How misplaced does that sound after understanding where our procreative powers come from and how we are meant to use them?

There are many really good talks given by our leaders, but I am only focusing on the talks suggested in the Come Follow Me lesson for 1 Corinthians 1-7.

Jeffrey R. Holland offers three reasons why chastity “is an issue of such magnitude and consequence in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

We must come to understand the doctrine of the human soul.

“In exploiting the body of another—which means exploiting his or her soul—one desecrates the Atonement of Christ, which saved that soul, and which makes possible the gift of eternal life.”

Human intimacy is the ultimate symbol of total union.

“This is a union of such completeness that we use the word seal to convey its eternal promise.” The Prophet Joseph called it welding one to another.

Physical intimacy is also symbolic of a shared relationship between a man and a woman and their Father in Heaven.

“At such moments we not only acknowledge His divinity but we quite literally take something of that divinity to ourselves.”

Satan would have us forget that the gift of procreation is only granted on this earth and in the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom. In other words, this gift is given to the natural man and woman at their most naturalist and to a perfected husband and wife, king and queen, God and Goddess, father and mother of “worlds without number” (Moses 1:33).

Do we mock the very crux of our mortal test? David A. Bednar says,

“The natural man or woman is unrepentant, is carnal and sensual, is indulgent and excessive, and is prideful and selfish. … In contrast, the man or woman of Christ is spiritual and bridles all passions, is temperate and restrained, and is benevolent and selfless. Men and women of Christ lay hold upon the word of God, deny themselves and take up His cross, and press forward along a strait and narrow course of faithfulness, obedience, and devotion to the Savior and His gospel” (“We Believe in Being Chaste,” April 2013).

We have come to earth to become like Christ. That is the choice we made in heaven.

Another talk mentioned in the lesson is Wendy Nelson’s talk on Love and Marriage. As a marriage and family therapist, she has learned that “personal purity is the key to true love.” In this talk, geared toward Young Single Adults, she counsels,

“If you’re single and wonder how best to prepare for true love, the answer is: Do whatever it takes to keep your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions pure. Invite the Spirit to guide you. He will help you! And if you’re married, my counsel is exactly the same!”

This counsel is so opposite from what the world teaches, but doesn’t it make sense when we understand where this power comes from and how we can gain more spiritual power in our lives?

She draws up a rather long list comparing worldly sex with God-ordained marital intimacy. It’s worth looking up this talk and reading it.

God has given us all the answers so we can understand why procreation is so important when used under the bounds the Lord has set. We also know why Satan is so bent on destroying us by twisting this eternal doctrine into something nasty and demeaning.

What steps are you willing to take as you seek purifying ways to receive the spirit more in your life? What sacrifices will you make to keep your covenants pure and undefiled?

**I address the topic of chastity more in these posts here, here, and here.