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Why Stay Morally Clean
Brad Wilcox
Because God wants us to be happy, he has given us commandments. One of those commandments is the law of chastity, which means that no one should have sexual relations before marriage and that after marriage husbands and wives should have sexual relations only with each other. We usually use the words "morally clean" to describe someone who obeys the law of chastity. Some people say it is too hard to live this commandment--that it is old-fashioned, unnecessary, or unrealistic. No matter what they say, it is still a commandment. Not only is it possible to follow this commandment, it is very important.
Those who obey the law of chastity find strength of character, peace of mind, and long-term happiness. Terrance D. Olson has listed some of the benefits as follows: Those who obey the law of chastity avoid having children with someone who isn't their husband or wife. They avoid getting sexually transmitted diseases and infections and passing them to their children. They build relationships of trust, loyalty, and commitment that are essential to a successful marriage and family life. They keep their reputations clear and undamaged. Most important, they strengthen their relationship with God, show him their love, and remain worthy to enter the temple and one day return to live with him ("Truths of Moral Purity," Ensign, October, 1998, 42-49).
Consider the sacred nature of our powers to create children. Think of how the righteous use of these powers can bring us to God as he allows us to have strong marriages and families of our own. No wonder Satan will do anything to degrade sex and tempt us to use it in a negative way. Satan would have us use the power that can bring us unbelievable joy in selfish ways that will eventually bring us misery instead. Satan would have us trade our enduring happiness for temporary thrills. Do not be fooled.
Sometimes people will try to pressure you into doing sexual things. Perhaps someone will say, "If you really loved me, you would do it" or "You owe it to me." Don't let anyone feed you such untrue lines. People who really respect or love you would never say such things.
Some people will say, "Everybody does it." That's a lie. Everybody does NOT do it and even if they did, it still wouldn't make it right. Elder Neal A. Maxwell has said, "Crowds cannot make right what God has declared to be wrong." ("Answer Me," Ensign, November 1988, 33). You never stand alone when you stand with God and his prophets. Crowds had a great time laughing and pointing at Noah, but in the end it wasn't Noah who missed the boat!
Original Source: Growing Up: Gospel Answers About Maturation and Sex by Brad Wilcox (Bookcraft, 2000), pp. 85-88. You can buy it online at [1]
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