I have a very strong testimony of the strength and power that comes with keeping the law of chastity. I know that sexual sins are very serious, one of the most serious, in fact. I know that violating the law of chastity is making a mockery of the gift that God has given us to create life. I know that the desires to do so are not in and of itself a bad thing, as long as we use them in the right place at the right time, all other times we must push them away. I know that violating the law of chastity is not only damaging to your virtue and your worthiness to enter into the temple and be in the presence of God but it is also very damaging to your emotions, mentality, and spirituality as a whole. I know that if these things are violated that there is a way back, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, but it is a long hard road that requires assistance with proper authority that if at all possible is better to be avoided at all costs.
"However costumed or made up, lust is no substitute for love; actually, brothers and sisters, it chokes out the development of real love, causing “the love of many [to] wax cold” (Matt. 24:12)." Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Seventh Commandment: A Shield, October 2001 General Conference
“Sexual immorality and impure thoughts violate the standard established by the Savior. We were warned at the beginning of this dispensation that sexual immorality would be perhaps the greatest challenge. Such conduct will, without repentance, cause a spiritual drought and loss of commitment.” Elder Quentin L. Cook, Can Ye Feel So Now? October 2012 General Conference
“Because sexual intimacy is so sacred, the Lord requires self-control and purity before marriage, as well as full fidelity after marriage. In dating, treat your date with respect, and expect your date to show that same respect for you. Tears inevitably follow transgression. Men, take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears.” President Thomas S. Monson, Standards of Strength, October 2008 New Era
"A quarter of a century ago historian John Lukacs perceptively warned that sexual immorality was not merely a marginal development but, instead, was at the center of the moral crisis of our time (see John Lukacs, The Passing of the Modern Age, New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1970, p. 169). Some thought Lukacs was overstating it, but consider the subsequent and sobering tragedy of children having children, of unwed mothers, of children without parents, of hundreds of thousands of fatherless children, and of rampant spousal infidelity. These and related consequences threaten to abort society's future even before the future arrives! Yet carnalists are unwilling to deny themselves, even though all of society suffers from an awful avalanche of consequences!" Neal A. Maxwell, Deny Yourself of All Ungodliness, May 1995 Ensign
"Jacob taught that the Lord delights 'in the chastity of women' (Jacob 2:28). I delight in the chastity and purity of all women and men. How it must grieve the Lord to see virtue violated and modesty mocked on every side in this wicked world. The Lord has provided for His children great joy through intimate, loving relationships, as my grandchildren were learning. I delight in the clarity of the proclamation to the world on the family which warns that 'individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.' " Susan W. Tanner, My Things Delighteth of the Things of The Lord, May 2008 Ensign
“This is a magnificent time to be on the earth and to be a young woman. Our vision remains the same. It is to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. This is our superlative goal! And so we will continue to lead the world in a return to virtue—a return to chastity and moral purity. We will continue to do all we can to help each other ‘stand . . . in holy places’ and receive, recognize, and rely on the Holy Ghost.” Elaine S. Dalton, Remember Who We Are! May 2010 Ensign
“Remember, “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” (D&C 1:31.) Some young men and women in the Church talk openly about sexual transgression. Read carefully the section in the pamphlet that teaches principles of sexual purity and follow the counsel with exactness.” M. Russell Ballard, Keeping Covenants, April 1993 General Conference
http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/ForTheStrengthOfYouth-eng.pdf?lang=eng
“Sexual purity is youth’s most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness.”8 May you have the courage to be chaste and virtuous.” President Thomas S. Monson, May You Have Courage, April 2009 General Conference
“President N. Eldon Tanner gave some good advice that I would like to repeat: “Always remember that you can go much further on respect than on popularity.” 6 I refer you to the excellent counsel on sexual purity contained in the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth.” President James E. Faust, The Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God, April 2003 General Conference
“This distinctive and very important Latter-day Saint doctrine underscores why sexual sin is so serious. On your wedding day the very best gift you can give your eternal companion is your very best self—clean and pure and worthy of such purity in return.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Personal Purity, October 1998
“But it is not pleasing to the Lord prior to a mission, or at any time, to sow one’s wild oats, to engage in sexual transgression of any nature, and then to expect that planned confession and quick repentance will satisfy the Lord. President Kimball also wisely observed: “Among the most common sexual sins our young people commit are necking and petting.” President Ezra Taft Benson, To the “Youth of Nobel Birthright”, April 1986 General Conference
“One can feel the cleansing, the purity, the freshness that accompanies sincere repentance at any time in life. Sexual intimacy in any of its forms, outside the covenant of marriage, is serious sin.” Elder Richard G. Scott, The Path to Peace and Joy, October 2000 General Conference
“Cleanliness of hands, as well as purity of heart, should be taught to the priests who officiate at the sacrament table. Sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage are forbidden by the Lord.” President Gordon B. Hinckley, Reverence and Morality, April 1987 General Conference
“Serious as is the sin of fornication (sexual intercourse by the unmarried), there is forgiveness upon condition of total repentance. They included all sexual relations outside marriage—petting, sex perversion, masturbation, and preoccupation with sex in one’s thoughts and talking.” President Spencer W. Kimball, President Kimball Speaks out on Morality, October 1980 General Conference
“God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” In the New Testament the Savior lifted the moral standard for His followers when He declared, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” He taught us not to condemn others, but He was unafraid to speak directly: “Go,” He said, “and sin no more.” Elder Neil L. Andersen, Trial of Your Faith, October 2012 General Conference
"However costumed or made up, lust is no substitute for love; actually, brothers and sisters, it chokes out the development of real love, causing “the love of many [to] wax cold” (Matt. 24:12)." Elder Neal A. Maxwell, The Seventh Commandment: A Shield, October 2001 General Conference
“Sexual immorality and impure thoughts violate the standard established by the Savior. We were warned at the beginning of this dispensation that sexual immorality would be perhaps the greatest challenge. Such conduct will, without repentance, cause a spiritual drought and loss of commitment.” Elder Quentin L. Cook, Can Ye Feel So Now? October 2012 General Conference
“Because sexual intimacy is so sacred, the Lord requires self-control and purity before marriage, as well as full fidelity after marriage. In dating, treat your date with respect, and expect your date to show that same respect for you. Tears inevitably follow transgression. Men, take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears.” President Thomas S. Monson, Standards of Strength, October 2008 New Era
"A quarter of a century ago historian John Lukacs perceptively warned that sexual immorality was not merely a marginal development but, instead, was at the center of the moral crisis of our time (see John Lukacs, The Passing of the Modern Age, New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1970, p. 169). Some thought Lukacs was overstating it, but consider the subsequent and sobering tragedy of children having children, of unwed mothers, of children without parents, of hundreds of thousands of fatherless children, and of rampant spousal infidelity. These and related consequences threaten to abort society's future even before the future arrives! Yet carnalists are unwilling to deny themselves, even though all of society suffers from an awful avalanche of consequences!" Neal A. Maxwell, Deny Yourself of All Ungodliness, May 1995 Ensign
"Jacob taught that the Lord delights 'in the chastity of women' (Jacob 2:28). I delight in the chastity and purity of all women and men. How it must grieve the Lord to see virtue violated and modesty mocked on every side in this wicked world. The Lord has provided for His children great joy through intimate, loving relationships, as my grandchildren were learning. I delight in the clarity of the proclamation to the world on the family which warns that 'individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.' " Susan W. Tanner, My Things Delighteth of the Things of The Lord, May 2008 Ensign
“This is a magnificent time to be on the earth and to be a young woman. Our vision remains the same. It is to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. This is our superlative goal! And so we will continue to lead the world in a return to virtue—a return to chastity and moral purity. We will continue to do all we can to help each other ‘stand . . . in holy places’ and receive, recognize, and rely on the Holy Ghost.” Elaine S. Dalton, Remember Who We Are! May 2010 Ensign
“Remember, “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” (D&C 1:31.) Some young men and women in the Church talk openly about sexual transgression. Read carefully the section in the pamphlet that teaches principles of sexual purity and follow the counsel with exactness.” M. Russell Ballard, Keeping Covenants, April 1993 General Conference
http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/ForTheStrengthOfYouth-eng.pdf?lang=eng
“Sexual purity is youth’s most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness.”8 May you have the courage to be chaste and virtuous.” President Thomas S. Monson, May You Have Courage, April 2009 General Conference
“President N. Eldon Tanner gave some good advice that I would like to repeat: “Always remember that you can go much further on respect than on popularity.” 6 I refer you to the excellent counsel on sexual purity contained in the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth.” President James E. Faust, The Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God, April 2003 General Conference
“This distinctive and very important Latter-day Saint doctrine underscores why sexual sin is so serious. On your wedding day the very best gift you can give your eternal companion is your very best self—clean and pure and worthy of such purity in return.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Personal Purity, October 1998
“But it is not pleasing to the Lord prior to a mission, or at any time, to sow one’s wild oats, to engage in sexual transgression of any nature, and then to expect that planned confession and quick repentance will satisfy the Lord. President Kimball also wisely observed: “Among the most common sexual sins our young people commit are necking and petting.” President Ezra Taft Benson, To the “Youth of Nobel Birthright”, April 1986 General Conference
“One can feel the cleansing, the purity, the freshness that accompanies sincere repentance at any time in life. Sexual intimacy in any of its forms, outside the covenant of marriage, is serious sin.” Elder Richard G. Scott, The Path to Peace and Joy, October 2000 General Conference
“Cleanliness of hands, as well as purity of heart, should be taught to the priests who officiate at the sacrament table. Sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage are forbidden by the Lord.” President Gordon B. Hinckley, Reverence and Morality, April 1987 General Conference
“Serious as is the sin of fornication (sexual intercourse by the unmarried), there is forgiveness upon condition of total repentance. They included all sexual relations outside marriage—petting, sex perversion, masturbation, and preoccupation with sex in one’s thoughts and talking.” President Spencer W. Kimball, President Kimball Speaks out on Morality, October 1980 General Conference
“God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” In the New Testament the Savior lifted the moral standard for His followers when He declared, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” He taught us not to condemn others, but He was unafraid to speak directly: “Go,” He said, “and sin no more.” Elder Neil L. Andersen, Trial of Your Faith, October 2012 General Conference