What is the counsel about acting on sexual impulses?

Living a Chaste Life

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Our bodies are a special gift from God. They provide our spirits with a way to experience the physical world. They are key to our potential exaltation. Learning to master our bodies is an important part of becoming like our Heavenly Parents. Mastery takes time, practice, and patience, but it has eternal consequences.

God has commanded us to “bridle all [our] passions, that [we] may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12).

Living the law of chastity is a source of great blessings. As President Marion G. Romney declared: “I can think of no blessings to be more fervently desired than those promised to the pure and the virtuous. Jesus spoke of specific rewards for different virtues but reserved the greatest, so it seems to me, for the pure in heart, ‘for they,’ said he, ‘shall see God’ (Matt. 5:8). And not only shall they see the Lord, but they shall feel at home in his presence.

“Here is … the Savior’s promise: ‘Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God’ (D&C 121:45)” (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, May 1979, 42).

Sexuality is an important part of being human and is also a source of passions that need to be bridled. Despite these intense feelings, there are Latter-day Saints who faithfully adhere to the Lord’s moral law over many years.

These individuals have made a determined commitment to live a chaste life and avoid anything that will reduce inhibitions. Additionally, they have provided exceptional service to others, especially in a Church setting. In so doing, they have found joy, contentment, and peace.

Parents Should Teach Their Children

Children and youth need the help of parents and trustworthy adults to learn about and understand sexuality in its divine context: “Parents have primary responsibility for the sex education of their children. Teaching this subject honestly and plainly in the home will help young people avoid serious moral sins.

“Where schools have undertaken sex education, parents should seek to ensure that the instructions given to their children are consistent with sound moral and ethical values” (“Sex Education,” General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 38.6.14).

Experimentation outside of Marriage

Experimentation with sexual expression outside marriage is a serious sin.

“The Lord’s law of chastity is:

• Abstinence from sexual relations outside of a marriage between a man and a woman according to God’s law.

• Fidelity within marriage.

“Physical intimacy between husband and wife is intended to be beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife.

“Only a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife should have sexual relations. In God’s sight, moral cleanliness is very important. Violations of the law of chastity are very serious (see Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:28; Alma 39:5). Those involved misuse the sacred power God has given to create life” (“Chastity and Fidelity,” General Handbook, 38.6.5).

“God’s commandments forbid all unchaste behavior, either same-sex or heterosexual. Church leaders counsel members who have violated the law of chastity. Leaders help them have a clear understanding of faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the process of repentance, and the purpose of life on earth. Behavior that is inconsistent with the law of chastity may be cause for holding a Church membership council (see [General Handbook,] 38.6.5). It can be forgiven through sincere repentance” (“Same-Sex Attraction and Same-Sex Behavior,” General Handbook, 38.6.12).