Living a Virtuous and Chaste life

Love. That one word can mean so many things to different people. In the Bible, there are three different Hebrew words and three different Greek words that are translated into the word "love."

God wants us to express our love in the most pure and edifying ways. Anything less actually diminishes the blessings we can receive from loving relationships.

When it comes to our God given sexuality, our Father in Heaven has taught us through prophets that such sacred procreative power is only to be employed between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded.

Paul said:

1 Corinthians 11:11
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

In the Book of Mormon, the Lord said:

Jacob 2: 28
28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

When Moses was given the Law, one of the most important commandments given was: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Ex. 20: 14)

The Law of Moses goes into great detail about the many ways a person should NOT use their procreative powers. Many of these instructions are found in Leviticus Chapter 20.

Included is that men and women should not use the sacred powers of procreation with those of the same gender, or with animals, or with anyone that is not their husband or wife.

The apostle Paul spoke about people who break these commandments:

Rom. 1: 26-28
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;


Eph. 5: 3-5
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.


I cite these scriptures not to condemn those who are guilty, but instead to show the seriousness of these sins.

God not only wants us to refrain from the outward sexual sins, but also wants us to be chaste and virtuous in thought as well:

Matt. 5: 27-28
27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

In his book, "Come Unto Christ", The Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, taught that we are not held responsible for thoughts that may come into our minds (unless we are actively seeking evil things), but rather what we do with those thoughts.

If we hold on to an evil thought and let it take root in our minds, then it is like planting a bad seed. If we do not uproot the seed with sincere repentance, then it is likely to grow into outward action, which then can lead to sorrow.

The key to becoming chaste is being careful with our thoughts. Fill your mind with clean virtuous things. Don't give place for evil. Also, ask for the Lord's help and grace to give you power beyond your own, and He will bless you, and strengthen you.

Stay away from pornography in any form. Pornography destroys natural affection. It destroys relationships, it pierces hearts with deep wounds. (Jacob 2: 35)

Once an image is in your mind, it is there to stay. So instead of evil, fill your mind with light.

Matt. 6: 22
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

We are all born with different tendencies, some positive, and some negative.

But that does not mean we have to give in to any negative trait we may possess.

Eventually, we will all be resurrected, and any imperfection we've inherited through mortality, will be replaced with it's perfect form. (Alma 11:43)

Until then, we must live in a way that will merit the kind of resurrection we want to receive. (John 5:29) The Lord will give you grace to overcome any temptation you are dealing with if you will turn to Him. He has said that He will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear.

1 Cor. 10: 13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi said:

1 Nephi 3:7
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

If we come to God in humility, He can make our weaknesses become strong:

Ether 12:27
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.


If you have been guilty of being unchaste before marriage, or of infidelity when married, there is hope. God has sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. You can become clean. You can be forgiven. You can have peace in your heart and mind. Through faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, you can be cleansed from all of your sins, and then commence the work of becoming holy, and sanctified by submitting your will to God's and keeping His commandments.

Now that we've established the importance of keeping sacred procreative powers within marriage between a man and a woman, let's talk about the hope and blessings that can come from it.

When one lives the law of chastity, they are blessed with the ability to use the sacred procreative powers within the bonds of marriage. They can be blessed to create an eternal family that has unlimited love and joy. The loving relationships they have can continue forever.

Perhaps one of the greatest blessings that can come from living the law of chastity, is self love. The better you live the law of chastity, the more you will love yourself. You will gain self respect and confidence. Your confidence before God will grow as well. (D&C 121:45)

Our Father in Heaven loves you. He wants only the best for you. Not just what's good for you, but what's BEST for you. Come and be cleansed of your sins. Come and be baptized a member of His church. Come unto Christ and reap the rewards of the chaste and virtuous life.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


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