Mormons Anonymous

What is the Law of Chastity?

The use of the term of the “Law of Chastity” seems to be kind of a Mormon thing. I really don’t know that I have ever heard anybody else call it that. The Law of Being Chaste. The dictionary defines chaste as being pure, modest, and virtuous. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we refer to it as the law of keeping yourself clean of sexual sin. This may include keeping your dress modest, keeping your speech clean of inappropriate sexual talk, keeping your thoughts pure from contemplating inappropriate sexual acts - including refraining from indulging in pornography, keeping your hands clean of acts such as masturbation, and keeping your body clean by refraining from fornication or adultery. Fornication is defined as sexual acts outside of the bonds of marriage. Adultery is defined as a married individual performing sexual acts with someone other than their spouse. These definitions of fornication and adultery extend to prohibiting sexual acts with individuals of the same sex.

The seriousness of each of these sins varies. The repentance process for each depends on the severity of the sin. Also taken into consideration for the repentance process is the level of commitment the individual has made in the church. While such a concept may sound foreign to people not familiar to the church, it makes total sense to those who are well aware of the churches teachings. An example is that a high school student that engages in premarital sex will likely be disfellowshipped from the church meaning that they are given a period of time to repent while being denied the opportunity to partake of the sacrament or say prayers in church meetings. Whereas someone who has attended the temple who engages in premarital sex will likely be excommunicated and be required to be rebaptized after a more extended period of time. If a priesthood holder has been excommunicated and desires to once again hold the priesthood, the reinstatement may even require approval from the general authorities of the church - the 12 apostles. This is not something taken lightly and often takes several years for approval.

Modest Dress
While it may be fashionable to look sexy in the way you present yourself, men and women who respect the Lord’s teachings will dress in ways that will not draw attention to themselves in inappropriate ways. Dressing sharp and well is appropriate especially when done in good taste.

For the Strength of Youth states as follows:
Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?”

Clean Speech
Clean speech can range from the use of profanity to the use of telling inappropriate jokes that are sexual in nature. Our speech is a reflection of the heart. When we use profanity, we demean ourselves and we desensitize the feelings of those around us who are striving to live their lives pure in the site of God. When we tell or even engage in the laughter of jokes that are sexual in nature, we offend those who do not wish to hear them and we offend God. The Holy Ghost immediately withdraws. We find ourselves in need of repentance.

Masterbation
Masterbation is a sin.

Outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can find discussion forum and after discussion forum of individuals rationalizing the act of masterbation saying that it is not a sin. The guidance from the leaders of the church do not see it this way. All young men desiring to serve a mission must attain self mastery and overcome this self defeating act prior to receiving their mission call. Individuals who find themselves engaging in this act are recommended to consult with their bishop to receive guidance on overcoming this sin.

If you are engaging in masturbation, you should not partake of the sacrament and should not attend the temple. You should first repent of the sin prior to once again engaging in these sacred ordinances.

Pornography
Pornography is one of the greatest challenges facing the church today. With pornography being found right at the fingertips of a Google search, Bishops all over the world are bombarded with members coming to them confessing their sins of either having a pornography addiction or simply having one instance of indulging in the viewing of Satan’s greatest tool. Pornography destroys marriages, deceives people into thinking they can have that which is forbidden, and touches a man’s senses in a way that controls them and drags them down to hell. Pornography must not be touched in any way if one wishes to feel the sweet presence of the Holy Ghost. Confession to your bishop may be the only way to obtain repentance and once again feel the sweetness of the Spirit of God dwelling with you.

And don’t even think about attending a so-called Gentleman’s Club. I really don’t know what the church’s disciplinary policy is on this topic. Needless to say, I would not expect it to be well. Would it be seen as the same thing as fornication or adultery? I doubt it. But I expect it would be worse than the viewing of porn pages on the internet.

Proper Conduct while Dating
I don’t believe that I can cover this topic any better that what is already spelled out in the “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet published by the church.

For the Strength of Youth

Before marriage, do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do that with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body.

In cultures where dating or courting is acceptable, always treat your date with respect, never as an object to be used for your lustful desires. Stay in areas of safety where you can easily control your physical feelings. Do not participate in talk or activities that arouse sexual feelings.

Fornication and Adultery

1 Corinthians 6:9

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Sex outside of marriage is practiced so heavily outside of the church, it is easy to wonder if it is even a sin. For faithful members of the church, we know that it happens as well. We also know that disciplinary action is taken on the individuals who engage in it. Today, if a young man engages in it while in their youth, it is very difficult to ever be allowed to serve on a mission. Once again, approval from a general authority is required. For those who have made temple covenants and then engage in fornication, the result is most always excommunication from the church.

Outside of blasphemy to the Holy Ghost, adultery is next to murder as being of the most treacherous sins a person could engage in. Adultery rips families apart. It breaks the tender hearts of the innocent, destroys families, creates hardships on spouses and children affected by the selfishness. It is deceptive. It is hurtful. A man or a woman who has engaged in adultery will not stand before God without shame unless a serious and sincere repentance is made. True repentance includes restitution. How do you bring back the trust and love that once existed prior to this serious act of betrayal?

Let the Spirit of God Guide You
While black and white principles may be a guiding factor for many people, what is really important is the relationship that you have with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. If you strive to obey their commandments and live your life according to the principles taught by the savior, he will guide you in your decisions and bless you with his spirit. You will recognize his spirit as it whispers peace to your soul. The closer you come to him, the stronger and more common will that peace be felt. It is a very personal thing. If you are guilty of sexual sin, you may need to see the Bishop to be placed on a path to repentance. If you are having difficulty feeling the closeness to the spirit, then stop and listen again. He may send a prompting to you reminding you of exactly the reason for the void. He will help guide you as you sincerely seek the path to return to him.

Why Mormons Don’t Drink or Smoke

I was having lunch with my boss the other day and she asked me straight up - why is it that Mormons don’t drink. Jesus drank. It says so in the Bible.

The reality is that she is absolutely correct. Jesus’ first miracle in the New Testament was to turn water into wine at a marriage feast. So if Jesus thought it was okay to drink wine is his day, then why do the Mormons, who profess to be the restored church of Jesus Christ on the earth today, teach that it is not okay to drink alcohol?

My answer is that is has nothing whatsoever to do with any teaching that is found in the Bible. This strictly came as guidance for us in this day in age.

I recently heard one of our church leaders - Richard G. Scott - speak at our Stake Conference and he quoted “if these people will show that they love me, then I will bless them by giving them more commandments.” If anyone knows where this quote came from, then please let me know. Nevertheless, the “Word of Wisdom” is an example of this principle. Commandments are given to us as we humble ourselves and submit ourselves to his will. He gives us commandments to bless us and enrich our lives.

Surprisingly, the commandment to not smoke or drink was not originally given as a commandment, it was given as a guideline - as a “Word of Wisdom”. It is found in the Doctrine and Covenants in Section 89 dated February 27, 1833. The first 8 verses of the revelation are given as follows:

1. A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and of the church, and also the saints in Zion –
2. To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days–
3. Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
4. Behold verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation –
5. That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6. And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7. And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8. And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

There were actually events that led up to Joseph Smith receiving this revelation. Joseph Smith use to conduct training sessions to the other church leaders in a setting known as the School of the Prophets. This first School of the Prophets took place in a small room situated over Joseph Smiths’ kitchen in a house which belonged to Newel K. Whitney. Brigham Young described the setting as follows:

When they [the brethren] assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet entered the room to give the school instructions, he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry.

In the early days of the church, any person serving in leadership positions were required to comply with the Word of Wisdom. In 1913, Joseph F. Smith - the existing prophet and nephew of Joseph Smith - wrote: “The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given - as not by commandment or restraint was that at the time, at least if it had been given as a commandment, it would have brought every man addicted to the use of these noxious things under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before he brought them under the law.” A few years later in the early 20th century, when Heber J. Grant was the living prophet, this law was made binding on all of the members of the church. Today, if you desire to have the privilege of entering the temple or to participate in Priesthood ordinances, you must be complying with the Word of Wisdom.

Of course there are many members of the church who do drink alcohol and smoke tobacco (or other items as well). Often, those who are caught in this snare of addiction stop attending church because they feel unworthy or inadequate. However, the church does not discourage them from attending. We very much want to see them at the place of worship. They are, however, requested not to partake of the sacrament.

Personally, my heart saddens when I hear of people who cease their activities in the church because they feel unworthy. I believe that our Heavenly Father gives all of us weaknesses. Part of our challenge in life is to overcome our weaknesses and gain self control over the body. I do have my weaknesses which have posed great challenges of worthiness to myself. However, for me, the Word of Wisdom has not been one of them.

I grew up as a member of the church. From the time I was young, I was taught not to smoke, drink alcohol, drink coffee, drink tea, or to take illegal and harmful drugs. I fortunately listened to my parents as they taught this to me. I have never in my life drank an alcoholic beverage, smoked nor chewed on tobacco, nor drank a cup of coffee or tea. And because I have never partaken them, I do not know firsthand the effects that they would have on me. It is quite possible that if I had a beer, I would really like the way it felt. But since I do not know what I am missing, it is not a temptation. That does make it a lot easier for me.

I have a good friend from work who really struggles with an alcohol addiction. He knows that drinking not only has harmful health effects, he also knows that his actions when drinking are not desirable. He is much more easily irritated and tends to fight with his girlfriend - especially when she has been drinking as well.

I have an uncle who was an alcoholic. The alcohol destroyed his life. It led to divorce. It affected his work. His health declined. He eventually died a bitter drunk man.

I would very much like to publish anonymous articles from contributors who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have struggled with addictions of alcohol and / or tobacco. If you or a friend of yours has struggled with addictions of these; please share your stories. I would especially be interested in success stories of individuals who have successfully overcome their addictions. If you have a story to share, please send it to admin@mormonsanonymous.org and I will anonymously post your letter for all to read.

Thank you.