Lesson 121

Marriage and Family (Part 3)

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. By actively participating in seminary, you show your willingness to be taught by the Holy Ghost.

Begin your study with prayer.

Why should we choose to be sexually pure?

Listen to what six youth of different faiths say about why they have chosen to be sexually pure.

How would you answer the questions asked in the video?

Significant Points of Transition

Birth and death are essential parts of the plan of salvation, and they provide significant points of transition in a person’s eternal journey. God has given us clear commandments governing choices that relate specifically to the powers of life and death. For example, God has commanded us to not murder or “do anything like unto it” (D&C 59:6). Likewise, He has commanded us to “multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28) and to not abuse the sacred powers of procreation. God has provided the law of chastity to govern the use of these powers.

Read paragraph 8.2 in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, looking for a statement that explains part of the law of chastity.

Heavenly Father’s Plan

You may want to mark the following statement in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between a man and a woman who have been lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

Think about how God’s teachings about the sacred powers of procreation differ from the philosophies of the world.

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained how our understanding of the plan of salvation can influence our beliefs about the law of chastity. You can read the text for this video here: “No Other Gods,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 74.

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained how our understanding of the plan of salvation can influence our beliefs about the law of chastity.

“We look on marriage and the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God’s plan and a sacred duty of those given the opportunity to do so. …

“The power to create mortal life is the most exalted power God has given to His children. Its use was mandated by God’s first commandment to Adam and Eve (see Genesis 1:28), but other important commandments were given to forbid its misuse (see Exodus 20:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). The emphasis we place on the law of chastity is explained by our understanding of the purpose of our procreative powers in the accomplishment of God’s plan. Outside the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman, all uses of our procreative powers are to one degree or another sinful and contrary to God’s plan for the exaltation of His children” (Dallin H. Oaks, “No Other Gods,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 73, 74).

1. How can our understanding of the plan of salvation influence our beliefs and our actions about the law of chastity?

Joseph’s Reasons for Refusing

Genesis 39:9 is an Old Testament doctrinal mastery scripture passage. This passage helps teach that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between a man and a woman who have been lawfully wedded as husband and wife. You may want to mark this passage in a distinctive way so you can locate it more easily.

You may remember that Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers and was a servant in Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife tried to entice Joseph to commit sexual sin with her, but he refused. (See Genesis 37:28; 39:1–9.)

Read Genesis 39:9, looking for why Joseph refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife.

What reasons did Joseph give Potiphar’s wife for refusing to commit sexual sin?

Why do you think these reasons gave Joseph the strength to remain sexually pure?

The Law of Chastity

Read the section “Sexual Purity” in For the Strength of Youth ([booklet, 2011], 35–37).

2. Answer two of the following questions:

• What questions do you have about the law of chastity?

• In what ways can the law of chastity bless us?

• Why do you feel keeping the law of chastity is important?

A Life of Sexual Purity

If you have not already done so, decide now to live the law of chastity. Prayerfully consider what changes you need to make or what choices you should continue making to live this law. You may need to separate yourself from someone or something that tempts you. If you trust in the Lord, He will give you the strength to do so.

Remember that through His Atonement, Jesus Christ has made it possible for anyone who has violated the law of chastity to repent and be forgiven. If you have violated the law of chastity, make an appointment with your bishop or branch president. He will help you to enjoy the peace and confidence that come from repenting and being sexually pure.

A Scenario

Imagine you have a friend who has recently decided to become a member of the Church. This friend is concerned because his grandparents died without having learned about the restored Church of Jesus Christ. He worries that because they were never baptized, they will not be able to live with God eternally. Think about what you could share with this friend to help resolve his concern.

Read paragraph 8.4 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, looking for how we can help our ancestors through family history and temple service.

Family History and Temple Service

You may want to mark the following statement in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: Through family history and temple service, we can make the ordinances and covenants of the gospel available to our ancestors. Some ordinances, like baptism and temple ordinances, and their associated covenants are essential to receive exaltation and live with Heavenly Father eternally. We can help make these ordinances and covenants available to our ancestors as we identify those ancestors and then serve as proxies for them in receiving ordinances and making covenants in the temple. Making the ordinances and covenants of the gospel available to all of His children is one way God demonstrates His love for us.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged the youth of the Church to participate in both family history and temple service. You can read the text for this video here: “Roots and Branches,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 46–47.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged the youth of the Church to participate in both family history and temple service.

“If the youth in each ward will not only go to the temple and do baptisms for their dead but also work with their families and other ward members to provide the family names for the ordinance work they perform, both they and the Church will be greatly blessed. Don’t underestimate the influence of the deceased in assisting your efforts and the joy of ultimately meeting those you serve. The eternally significant blessing of uniting our own families is almost beyond comprehension [see Howard W. Hunter, “A Temple-Motivated People,” Ensign, Feb. 1995, 2–5; Liahona, May 1995, 2–7]” (Quentin L. Cook, “Roots and Branches,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 46–47).

Why do you think it is important for us to participate in both family history and temple service for our ancestors?

A Prophecy

Malachi 4:5–6 is a doctrinal mastery passage related to the truth that through family history and temple service, we can make the ordinances and covenants of the gospel available to our ancestors. You may want to mark this passage in a distinctive way so you can locate it more easily.

Malachi was the last prophet of the Old Testament. He ended his book by prophesying that the prophet Elijah would one day return to the earth.

Read Malachi 4:5–6, looking for what Elijah would do when he returned to the earth.

Elijah’s Return

Malachi prophesied that Elijah would return to the earth and “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). This prophecy began to be fulfilled when Elijah appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, and conferred upon them the sealing keys of the priesthood, which are necessary for temple work (see D&C 110:13–16).

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained how the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy has influenced us today. You can read the text for this video here: “Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 21.

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained how the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy has influenced us today.

“From that day [April 3, 1836] to this, interest in exploring one’s family history has grown exponentially. At ever-increasing rates, people seem drawn to their ancestry with more than just casual curiosity. Genealogical libraries, associations, and technologies have emerged around the world to support this interest. The internet’s power to enhance communications has enabled families to work together to do family history research with a speed and thoroughness never before possible.

“Why is all of this happening? For lack of a better term, we call it the ‘spirit of Elijah.’ We could also equally call it ‘fulfillment of prophecy.’ I bear testimony that Elijah did come. The hearts of the children—of you and me—have turned to our fathers, our ancestors. The affection you feel for your ancestors is part of the fulfillment of that prophecy. It is deeply seated in your sense of who you are. …

“Many of your ancestors did not receive [priesthood] ordinances. But in the providence of God, you did. And God knew that you would feel drawn to your ancestors in love and that you would have the technology necessary to identify them. He also knew that you would live in a time when access to holy temples, where the ordinances can be performed, would be greater than ever in history. And He knew that He could trust you to accomplish this work in behalf of your ancestors” (Henry B. Eyring, “Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 21).

3. Answer one of the following questions:

• How has the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy influenced us today?

• When have you felt blessed by participating in family history and temple service?

Your Participation in This Work

Think about what you will do to take part in family history and temple service so that your ancestors can receive the blessings of the ordinances and covenants of the gospel.

There are many ways in which you can participate in this important work, even if you do not live near a temple. Counsel with your family or Church leaders about what you can do. You can also seek direction from the Lord through prayer and act on any promptings you receive.