Understanding Lds: Breaking The Law Of Chastity

The law of chastity is a principle of eternal significance in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It requires strict abstinence from sexual relations before marriage and complete fidelity to one's spouse after marriage. The law of chastity applies to both men and women. Breaking the law of chastity is considered a serious sin, and those who break it are subject to Church discipline. However, through proper repentance, those who have broken the law of chastity can be forgiven by the Lord.

Homosexual activity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) defines the law of chastity as a moral code that requires "sexual relations [to be] proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife." This means that, according to the LDS Church, chastity entails abstinence from sexual relations outside of marriage and complete fidelity to one's spouse during marriage.

The LDS Church considers homosexual activity a serious sin and a violation of the law of chastity. The church teaches that gender is defined in premortal life and that part of the purpose of mortal life is for men and women to be sealed together in heterosexual marriages. According to the LDS Church, sexual relations within the framework of monogamous heterosexual marriage are healthy, necessary, and approved by God.

The church states that homosexual behaviour is contrary to the purposes of human sexuality, distorts loving relationships, and prevents people from receiving the blessings that can be found in family life and the saving ordinances of the gospel. Latter-day prophets have spoken about the dangers of homosexual behaviour and the church's concern for people with homosexual inclinations. While the church advises its leaders and members to reach out with understanding and respect to individuals attracted to the same gender, it maintains that sexual relations are only deemed proper between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

The LDS Church teaches that same-sex sexual and romantic feelings are not a choice or a sin and that members should be supported in identifying with terms like gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Members whose sexual orientation is not strictly heterosexual can participate in temple ordinances and remain in good standing if they refrain from same-sex marriage and any homosexual sexual activity or sexual relationships outside of an opposite-sex marriage. However, to receive church ordinances such as baptism and to enter church temples, non-heterosexual adherents are required to live a celibate lifestyle without any sexual expression.

The church's policies and treatment of LGBT people have long been a source of controversy, both within and outside the church, and have been a significant cause of disagreement and disaffection by members.

Pornography

LDS Church leaders have also stated that viewing erotic material can become a habit that is "almost impossible to break", which can metaphorically "blast a crater" in the brain. The Church has also stated that pornography can become a destructive habit that robs people of their self-respect and a sense of the beauty of life. It can lead to evil thoughts and abusive conduct.

LDS leaders have also stated that women who dress immodestly become pornography to men around them. This is part of the Church's teachings on modesty in dress, grooming, and appearance.

The Church Handbook states that members from ages 12 to 17 should be interviewed twice a year, discussing the importance of obeying the commandments, particularly refraining from any kind of sexual activity and viewing, reading, or listening to pornographic material.

In 2016, Utah's then-governor, Gary Herbert, officially declared pornography to be a public health crisis. A nationwide study of paid porn subscriptions showed that Utah, a predominantly LDS state, had the highest subscription rate of any state.

A study by BYU in 2017 found that seeing oneself as addicted to pornography generated far more anxiety- and shame-related negative outcomes individually and in romantic relationships than any potential negative effects of consuming sexually explicit material.

LDS Church leaders have asked members to attend an anti-pornography rally and have set up meetings and a website to assist members who wish to curb their consumption of pornographic material.

Premarital sex

The law of chastity is based on the belief that physical intimacy between husband and wife is a beautiful and sacred part of God's plan and is to be expressed only within the bounds of marriage. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage between a man and a woman, and that sexual relations outside of marriage are a serious sin.

According to the LDS church, Satan has led people to believe that sexual intimacy outside of marriage is acceptable. However, they believe that it is an abuse of the power given by God to create life and that it endangers the happiness and safety of those involved. They teach that relationships built on sexual immorality sour quickly and are replaced by fear, guilt, and shame.

The LDS church emphasizes the importance of controlling one's thoughts, words, and actions to obey the law of chastity. They encourage individuals to make a firm decision to be chaste and to avoid situations that may lead to sin, such as pornography or being alone with someone of the opposite sex. By obeying the law of chastity, individuals can find increased love, peace, trust, and happiness in their lives.

Extramarital sex

According to the LDS church, God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved solely for marriage between a man and a woman. This commandment is known as the law of chastity and is considered a clear and unchanging standard of sexual purity. Breaking this law is seen as a serious sin and is believed to lead to negative consequences, including guilt, shame, fear, and bitterness in relationships.

The LDS church teaches that extramarital sex is not only a physical act but also involves one's thoughts and words. It is emphasized that controlling one's thoughts and avoiding immoral or obscene content is crucial to obeying the law of chastity. Additionally, actions such as passionate kissing, lying on top of another person, or touching private parts, even over clothing, are considered violations of the law.

Those who break the law of chastity are subject to Church discipline and are encouraged to seek forgiveness through repentance. This process involves confessing to the Lord, the person offended, and the proper priesthood authority, such as a bishop or stake president. While forgiveness is possible, it requires a genuine commitment to change and abandon the sinful behavior.

Homosexual marriage

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) defines chastity as "sexual relations [being] proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife". This means that any sexual relations outside of marriage, including homosexual activity, are considered a violation of the law of chastity.

The LDS Church teaches that gender is defined in premortal life and that part of the purpose of mortal life is for men and women to be sealed together in heterosexual marriages. The church states that sexual relations within the framework of monogamous opposite-sex marriage are healthy, necessary, and approved by God.

According to the LDS Church, homosexual marriage is not approved by God. They believe that sexual relations are only proper between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. The church advises its leaders and members to reach out with understanding and respect to individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender. However, adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behaviour may face church discipline.

Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, can remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and any homosexual sexual activity or relationships outside of an opposite-sex marriage. They are required to live a celibate lifestyle without any sexual expression and are taught that sexual relations are only permitted between a husband and wife.

The LDS Church teaches that same-sex sexual and romantic feelings are not a choice or a sin and that members should be supported in identifying with terms like gay, lesbian, or bisexual. However, all homosexual sexual activity is condemned as sinful, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage.

The topic of same-sex marriage has been one of the church's foremost public concerns since 1993, and penalties from church leaders for same-sex sexual sins are stiffer than for heterosexual ones in matters of general church discipline, missionary requirements, and code of conduct enforcement at church-run universities.

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