"There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity."
Joseph F. Smith, "Gospel Doctrine," p. 312
"My precious young brothers, may you understand that chastity is the source of virile manhood, the crown of beautiful womanhood, the foundation of a happy home, and the ultimate and perfect standard underlying all spiritual progression."
Elder Robert L. Backman, CR, "Chastity - The Source of True Manhood", Ensign", Nov. 1989, page 40
"My beloved youth, he is not your friend who would rob you of your virtue. She does not love you if she tempts you or yields to you. Such is your enemy. To require the yielding to passion, and gratification, yet to profess love, is to lie; for we never exploit one whom we love."
President Spencer W. Kimball (in
Conference Report,
Sydney Australia Area Conference, 1976, p. 54).
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About Chastity
and
Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 38).
President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"...For some unknown reason,
there
is constantly appearing the false rationalization that at one time in
the
long-ago, virtue was easy and that now it is difficult. I would
like
to remind any who feel that way that there has never been a time since
the Creation when the same forces were not at work that are at work
today.
The proposal made by Potiphar's wife to Joseph in Egypt is no different
from that faced by many men and women and youth in our day.
"The influences today may be more
apparent and more seductive, but they are no more compelling. One
cannot be shielded entirely from these influences. They are all
about
us. Our culture is saturated with them. But the
same kind of self-discipline exercised by Joseph will
yield
the same beneficial result...."
"The violation of his commandments
in this, as in any other age, brings only regret, sorrow, loss of
self-respect,
and in many cases tragedy."
(With All Thy Getting Get Understanding.
Ensign,
Aug. 1988, 2).
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About Chastity
and
Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 38).
President Ezra Taft Benson:
"The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality. This, the Prophet Joseph said, would be the source of more temptations, more buffetings, and more difficulties for the elders of Israel than any other."
(Cleansing
the Inner Vessel, CR April 1986, Ensign, May 1986, 4).
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About Chastity
and
Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 39).
President Ezra Taft Benson:
"Do
not
be misled by Satan's lies. There is no lasting happiness in
immorality.
There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastity. Just
the opposite is true. There may be momentary pleasure. For
a time it may seem like everything is wonderful. But quickly the
relationship will sour. Guilt and shame set in. We become
fearful
that our sins will be discovered. We must sneak and hide, lie and
cheat. Love begins to die. Bitterness, jealousy,
anger, and even hate begin to
grow.
All of these are the natural results of sin and transgression.
"On the other hand, when we obey
the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will
experience
the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect
for
our marital partners, deeper commitment to each other, and,
therefore, a deep and
significant
sense of joy and happiness."
(The Law of Chastity, BYU 1987-88 Speeches, 51).
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About Chastity
and
Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 39).
President Ezra Taft Benson:
"Decide now to be chaste. The decision to be chaste and virtuous need only be made once. Make that decision now, and let it be so firm and with such deep commitment that it can never be shaken."
(The Law of Chastity, New Era, Jan. 1988,
6).
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About
Chastity
and Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 39).
--
President David O. McKay:
"No one can transgress the laws of chastity and find peace."
"Infidelity and sexual immorality are
two
principal evils that threaten to
weaken and to wreck present-day civilization."
(Gospel Ideals, 1976, p. 473 and p. 487)
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About Chastity
and
Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 40).
President Thomas S. Monson:
"Some find it difficult to withstand the mockings and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God's commands. But the world has ever belittled adherence to principle. WhenNoah was instructed to build an ark, the foolish populace looked at the cloudless sky, then scoffed and jeered---until the rain came."
(CR, April 1967, p. 5)
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About
Chastity
and Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 40).
President Marion G. Romney:
"'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' ....The violator of this commandment suffers a loss second only to the loss suffered by him who kills. With the loss of the Spirit of the Lord, which always accompanies adultery, comes a diminution of the power to choose between right and wrong. Lying, loss of self-respect, and disloyalty are bosom companions of adultery. If we are seriously interested in being successful in any endeavor, we shall avoid every type of immorality as we would avoid the plague."
(A Glorious Promise, Ensign, Jan. 1981, p. 3)
(What Prophets and Apostles Teach About Chastity
and
Fidelity, Ensign 1998, p. 41).
From Jeffrey R. Holland "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments"
"I have heard all my life that it is the young woman who had to assume the responsibility for controlling the limits of intimacy in courtship because a young man cannot. Seldom have I heard any point made about this subject that makes me want to throw up more than that. What kind of man is he, what priesthood or power or strength or self-control does this man have that lets him develop in society, grow to the age of mature accountability, perhaps even pursue a university education and prepare to affect the future of colleagues and kingdoms and the course of the world, but yet does not have the mental capacity or the moral will to say, "I will not do that thing"? No, this sorry drugstore psychology would have him say, "I just can't help myself. My glands have complete control over my life--my mind, my will, my entire future.
"To say that a young woman in such a relationship has to bear her responsibility and that of the young man's too is the most discriminatory doctrine I have ever heard. In most instances if there is sexual transgression, I lay the burden squarely on the shoulders of the young man--for our purposes probably a priesthood bearer—and that's where I believe God intended responsibility to be. In saying that I do not excuse young women who exercise no restraint and have not the character or conviction to demand intimacy only in its rightful role. . . . But I refuse to buy some young man's feigned innocence who wants to sin and call it psychology."
Russell M. Nelson:
"Above all, courtesy to companions cannot be defiled by disobedience to the law of chastity. That sin is joy's deadly poison. The first morning's glance in the mirror cannot reflect joy if there is any recollection of misdeeds the night before. The surest step toward joy in the morning is virtue in the evening."
Ensign, November, 1986, p. 68
"There is no strength that is greater than the strength of virtue. There is no other nobility equal to the nobility of virtue. There is no quality so becoming, no attire so attractive."
Gordon B. Hinckley (Ensign, November 1984, page 91)
Mark E. Petersen (General Conference Report, April 1969, page 62)
Russell M. Nelson (Ensign, November 1986, page 67)
"Chastity is like money in the bank. As you save yourself you are SAVING the joy of belonging to one and only one."