This law is the law of chastity.
What is the law of chastity some might ask?
"The law of chastity requires that sexual relations be reserved for marriage between a man and a woman.
In addition to reserving sexual intimacy for marriage, we obey the law of chastity by controlling our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus Christ taught,“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 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)."
LDS.ORG
This blog has been a difficult one to write. Not because I fear what people might think, but because I want to say it in a way that people can feel the importance of keeping the act sacred. It's not something that is easy to type out. I hope that as you read this you can feel the spirit of God that your hearts can be moved and that you will find your self having more respect for others and of course. YOURSELF.
"1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men."
I want to start with thoughts, thoughts goals and action. When I want something I do my best to do what it takes to get it. As a 19 year old woman I was sharing a car with my older brother who had returned home from his mission. aka He needed the car more than I... so often times I was being carted around by my parents. One day in October of 2010 I decided.. in 6 months, I will have my own car. So I started saving, looking online going to dealerships, test driving and scoping things out with my parents. I was approaching the mark. I found the absolute most perfect Jeep liberty it was a 2003 with a lift, tinted windows and exhaust system that made my car sound more like a boat, nice off roading tires, all of that. the moment I test drove it i knew it was mine. I knew I had to have it. But I couldn't take it home just yet. I went to apply for a loan with out a cosigner just myself. I was praying with all of my heart I could be approved. I had done my part now the rest was in faith and the lords will. As we test drove this jeep my dad mentioned that he was worried the transmission might be having some complications. But that didn't matter to me! the jeep was just perfect in my eyes! I disregarded my dads advice and went through with it. I bought the jeep. I WAS NOW A CAR OWNER! I felt like a real woman of society.
Not even a year later I was driving home from a birthday party for my friends niece and my gas pedal started getting mushy. the jeep wouldn't shift and it was starting to stutter. I though oh it's just because my gas light has been on for a while. I called my dad and he came to my rescue with a tank of gas. The jeep started back up and drove for a moment. Five minutes from my house I got mushy gas pedal again and no power. I knew instantly what was going on... It was my transmission. MANY mechanic stops later and an expensive bill my car was fixed and on the road for a few more months until I had to sale it to be able to come here on my mission.
My goal started with a thought, I internalized that goal and I put it to action. Everything begins with thought. It is so important that we do our best to keep our thoughts pure. Pure thoughts, pure heart, clean acts.
It's not that this wasn't a good car, it was an amazing car... however my dad knew it would have been best to keep looking. Had I listened to my dad and not been caught up in the idea that this jeep was perfect, the steering wheel fit perfectly in my hands and it was made to go to Moab... I would have avoided a bank account draining experience. I would have avoided a lot of trials that came because of the lack of car I had for quite a few months. I would have avoided the stress of being a now jobless car-less college student. I had to pay the consequence of disregarding my dads advice.
We live in a world of instant satisfaction, with texting, emailing, fast food, everything is fast, everything is ready and waiting at the push of a button.
We need not rush into something because it feels like a perfect fit. He might be the one or if we do this our love will be forever. We love each other... it's okay.. we are going to be getting married after this anyways. When justification is needed the situation should be done with out.
As we keep Gods laws there is protection provided. The way we look at others is altered as we are filled with Christs love. My motto is "If I wouldn't do this if Christ was here.. should I be doing this?" Would you feel comfortable to break one of Gods greatest commandments if Jesus Christ was with you? fact: God is all knowing. We can not hide our sins from him.
There is a story in the book of mormon about a man his name is Corianton . He takes this law lightly and he doesn't follow the council of His father. He ends up destroying the trust of many people and having to go through a lofty repentance process to fix that which he has broken.
"3 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.
4 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.
5 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?"
Breaking the law of chastity in Gods eyes is almost equivalent to murder! I don't know about you, but I want to live with God forever. This law is given for us to be able to live with God forever. To be comfortable and at home in his company.
BE DIFFERENT! DON'T BE AFRAID TO SHINE. DON'T BE AFRAID TO STOP. DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE.
(This scripture can be applied to men also)
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31
Today, it might seem impossible to return to virtue, to find virtue, or to be a man or woman of virtue. However, as we do our best to become virtuous creatures we will have greater trust, longer lasting relationships, better communication, and less self destructive selfish vain self glorifying relationships.
WE ARE HUMAN BODIES WITH LIVING SPIRITS CREATED BY GOD! Not objects to be acted upon.
"14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon."2 NEPHI 2
My first mission president says "We are agents to act, not objects to be acted upon"
This is true. We are to act in line with Gods commands. However... At times, the lack of ability to follow his councils on behalf of others using their ability to act can happen. We can be hurt and used in a way that we can not help or prevent. If this is the case let Jesus Christ heal you. Let him bring you to safety there is no need to feel guilty or at fault in this situation.
We can always we repent, we can always return to Christ. My purpose of this blog is not to tell every one they are sinners or to bring up a controversially topics. It is to say, God loves us so much. He wants us to become like him. He gave us a plan, his plan of salvation or his great plan of happiness. In this plan he expects us to bring life into the world through marriage, the act of creating life is the closest we can get to being like God in this life. HOW AMAZING IS THAT! We as imperfect humans are trusted to create a human life, to raise this little human life and to bring that little soul back to Christ.
The Family A Proclamation to the World
Satan is sneaky, He will try to hide the temporary here and now pleasures and make you feel that it is eternal joy. He will lure you in trap you and leave you alone. Misery loves company, however, once he gets you there he doesn't stay. Happiness fades and guilt, heart ache, self doubt and frustration sinks in.
"26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom."
Like misery loves company, righteousness enjoys company. As we choose Christ, as we choose to follow Gods commands we are promised to have his spirit to be with us always. We will be surrounded by lasting friendships and gain the trust we seek. We will trust in God, ourselves and others. Self destructive tendencies will fade and be replaced with hope, charity and faith. We can return to God only through Jesus Christ. We can repent, we can heal, and we can make it home to our Father in Heaven.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a man and a woman in the marriage relationship prescribed in God’s plan. Such relations are not merely a curiosity to be explored, an appetite to be satisfied, or a type of recreation or entertainment to be pursued selfishly. They are not a conquest to be achieved or simply an act to be performed. Rather, they are in mortality one of the ultimate expressions of our divine nature and potential and a way of strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife. We are agents blessed with moral agency and are defined by our divine heritage as children of God—and not by sexual behaviors, contemporary attitudes, or secular philosophies" Elder Bednar
"The natural man or woman is unrepentant, is carnal and sensual (see Mosiah 16:5; Alma 42:10; Moses 5:13), is indulgent and excessive, and is prideful and selfish. As President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “The ‘natural man’ is the ‘earthy man’ who has allowed rude animal passions to overshadow his spiritual inclinations”
Return to virtue and stick to it. It wont be easy, but it will be worth it. Be the one who shines and stands out. The world needs more men and women of virtue. We have enough people running around with vain and selfish ambitions acting like something raised up in the jungle. Now is our time to act like disciples of Christ to clean up and to stay clean :) Now is your time to change to return to God and to have JOY, ever lasting eternal joy. What choice will be made? To follow God or to lose sight of the prize. It is our time to show God how much we want to live with him. To let go of the carnal mind, to take up our crosses and follow, even when we don't yet understand why, understanding will come. I know that by living this law our lives will be happier, our hearts will be filled with love and compassion. We will be less broken and we will live with God again. It is never to late to change, to turn back and to use the Atonement. Heavenly Father loves us no matter what. Christ can fix us when we are broken. Step aside and let the Atonement work. Let Christ pay the debt and live your best to be your best every day. Being women and men of God brings peace and happiness in this life and the life to come.
I know that forgiveness is possible, don't let doubt, fear, or insecurities hold you back from growth, progression and faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment