Gospel Principles
Unit 8: Family Salvation
Chapter 39: The Law of Chastity
Concept 6: Those Who Break the Law of Chastity Can Be Forgiven
"Peace can come to those who have broken the law of chastity. The Lord tells us, "If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, ... all his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him" (Ezekiel 18:21-22 "21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live."). Peace comes only through forgiveness. But forgiveness has a high price.
Elder Kimball said: "To every forgiveness there is a condition... The fasting, the prayers, the humility must be equal to or greater than the sin. There must be a broken heart and a contrite spirit... There must be tears and genuine change of heart. There must be conviction of the sin, abandonment of the evil, confession of the error to properly constituted authorities of the Lord" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 353).
For many people, confession is the most difficult part of repentance. We must confess not only to the Lord but also to the person we have offended, such as a husband or wife, and to the proper priesthood authority. The priesthood leader (bishop or stake president) will judge our standing in the Church. The Lord told Alma, "Whosoever transgresseth against me ... if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also." (Mosiah 26:29).
But Elder Kimball warns: "Even though forgiveness is so abundantly promised, there is no promise nor indication of forgiveness to any soul who does not totally repent... We can hardly be too forceful in reminding people that they cannot sin and be forgiven and then sin again and again and expect forgiveness" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 353, 360). Those who receive forgiveness and then repeat the sin are held accountable for their former sins (D&C 82:7 "And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God." Ether 2:15 "And the brother of Jared repented of the evil which he had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren who were with him. And the Lord said unto him: I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And these are my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for it shall be a land choice above all other lands.").
Those Who Keep the Law of Chastity Are Greatly Blessed
When we obey the law of chastity, we can live without guilt or shame. Our lives and our children's lives are blessed when we keep ourselves pure and spotless before the Lord. Children can look to our example and follow in our footsteps.
Discussion
Doctrine and Covenants 76:58-60.
"58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God
59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
60 And they shall overcome all things."
How will those who keep all of God's commandments, including the law of chastity, be blessed?
Additional Scriptures
Matthew 19:5-9; Genesis 2:24 (marriage relationship is sacred)
"5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one fresh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.".
Genesis 2:24
"24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Titus 2:4-12 (instructions for chastity)
Proverbs 6:25-32; Leviticus 19:29; 20:13, 15-lev/16">16 (perversion condemned)
1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Ephesians 5:28 (loyalty to spouse)
"2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."
Ephesians 5:28
"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."
Revelation 14:4-5 (blessings for obedience to the law of chastity)
"4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."
Proverbs 31:10 (virtue praised)"
"¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."