Gospel Principles
Unit 8: Family Salvation
Chapter 39: The Law of Chastity
Concept 3: What Is the Law of Chastity?
"We are to have sexual relations only with our spouse to whom we are legally married. No one, male or female, is to have sexual relations before marriage. After marriage, sexual relations are permitted only with our spouse.
To the Israelites the Lord said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery " (Exodus 20:14). Those Israelites who broke this commandment were put to death (Leviticus 20:10 "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death."). The Lord repeated this commandment to the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D&C 42:24 "Thou shalt not commit adultery; and he that committeth adultery, and repenteth not, shall be cast out.").
We have been taught that the law of chastity encompasses more than sexual intercourse. Elder Spencer W. Kimball warned young people of other sexual sins:
"Among the most common sexual sins our young people commit are necking and petting. Not only do these improper relations often lead to fornication, [unwed] pregnancy, and abortions--all ugly sins--but in and of themselves they are pernicious evils, and it is often difficult for youth to distinguish where one ends and another begins. They awaken lust and stir evil thoughts and sex desires. They are but parts of the whole family of related sins and indiscretions" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 65).
Discussion
What is the law of chastity? How can we be chaste?"