Why is chastity important?

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Chastity is sexual purity and involves being morally clean in thoughts, words, and actions. Sexual intimacy is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage. When we are sexually pure, we qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we are protected from the emotional and spiritual damage of sexual sin, and we are worthy to bear the priesthood of God.

Resources to Help You Prepare

These resources are to help you prepare for the “Learn together” section of the meeting.

• Genesis 39:7–21 (Joseph fled from sexual sin)

• 1 Nephi 10:21 (We must be pure to dwell with God)

• Alma 39:1–13 (Sexual sin is an abomination)

• Moroni 9:9 (Chastity is dear and precious)

• Doctrine and Covenants 46:33; 121:45–46 (Practice virtue and holiness before the Lord)

• Linda S. Reeves, “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 9–11

• Boyd K. Packer, “The Plan of Happiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 26–28

• David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 41–44

• “Dress and Appearance,” “Sexual Purity,” For the Strength of Youth (2011), 6–8, 35–37

• “Chastity,” True to the Faith (2004), 29–33

• mormonandgay.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

• “I Choose to Be Pure” (video)

  I Choose to be Pure

  Six interfaith youth speak candidly on why they have chosen to be sexually pure.

• “True Confidence” (video)

  Standards: Sexual Purity and Modesty - True Confidence

  Two young women share their secret for confidence and self-worth: the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

• “Chastity: What Are the Limits?” (video)

  Chastity: What Are the Limits?

  Latter-day Saint teens are counseled to stay sexually pure, but what exactly are the limits? Using teachings of modern prophets, this presentation shows how we can find happiness and peace through staying chaste.

• “Face to Face: Why is it important to live the law of chastity?” (video)

  Why is it important to live the law of chastity?

  A question from the August 5, 2017 Face to Face event. Watch this event in whole or in part here: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/renlund?lang=eng

Questions to Ponder before You Teach

How has living the law of chastity blessed you?

What doctrines will best help the young men feel the importance of chastity? What false teachings are they exposed to that diminish the importance of chastity?

What can the young men do to prepare to learn? For example, they could read a talk, watch a video, or study a scripture related to this doctrine.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

In every setting, the Savior was an example and mentor. He taught His disciples to pray by praying with them. He taught them to love and serve by the way He loved and served them. He taught them how to teach His gospel by the way He taught it. How will you be an example of chastity and virtue to your young men?

Video: “Know and Love Us”

Know and Love Us

When the youth feel you really love them, you'll be able to help them become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Meeting Outline

1. Counsel Together and Share Experiences

Led by a member of the quorum presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

• Our quorum: Who is missing today? What visits do we need to make? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity? Who needs our help and prayers?

• Our duties: What assignments do we need to make? What assignments have we fulfilled? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?

• Our lives: Remind the quorum of the discussion from the last meeting. What experiences have we had with applying what we learned? What experiences have we had in the past few weeks that strengthened our testimonies of the gospel?

If possible, discuss these items beforehand in a quorum presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the quorum; approximately 25–35 minutes

After studying the above resources and following the inspiration of the Spirit, you may select one or more of the activities below to help quorum members understand the doctrine.

• Divide the young men into three groups, and invite each group to read one of the following resources: the scriptures about chastity suggested in this outline, “Sexual Purity” in For the Strength of Youth, and “Chastity” in True to the Faith. Ask them to look for answers to the question “Why is chastity important to the Lord?” and share what they find. How are the principles in these scriptures and resources different from what the world teaches about chastity? What do the young men learn from these resources that can help them detect the falsehood in the world’s view?

• Invite the young men to watch one of the videos in this outline, looking for possible answers to the question “Why is chastity important?” Ask them to share their thoughts and contrast the views expressed in the video with what the world wants young men to believe. What can the young men do to support each other in their efforts to obey the law of chastity?

  I Choose to be Pure

  Six interfaith youth speak candidly on why they have chosen to be sexually pure.

  Standards: Sexual Purity and Modesty - True Confidence

  Two young women share their secret for confidence and self-worth: the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

  Chastity: What Are the Limits?

  Latter-day Saint teens are counseled to stay sexually pure, but what exactly are the limits? Using teachings of modern prophets, this presentation shows how we can find happiness and peace through staying chaste.

  Why is it important to live the law of chastity?

  A question from the August 5, 2017 Face to Face event. Watch this event in whole or in part here: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/renlund?lang=eng

• Divide quorum members into groups. Give each group one of the sections of President Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Plan of Happiness,” Elder David A. Bednar’s talk “We Believe in Being Chaste,” or Sister Linda S. Reeves’s talk “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings.” Ask each group to study their section and answer the question “Why is it important to be sexually pure?” Invite them to share statements or truths that they found meaningful or important. How can they use what they learn to help their friends understand why chastity is important to them?

• Ask the young men to use the “Dress and Appearance” section in For the Strength of Youth to answer questions such as “What are the Lord’s standards concerning modesty?” “Why is it important for you to follow these standards?” and “How does modesty reflect or influence our attitude toward the law of chastity?” Ask them to share their answers and ponder what they can do to live these standards more fully.

• Ask the young men how they would help a friend who is struggling with same-gender attraction. Invite them to look for ideas on mormonandgay.ChurchofJesusChrist.org . Encourage them to write a letter that could help their friend.

3. Plan to Act

Led by a member of the quorum presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

• Ask the young men to discuss any feelings or impressions they had during the meeting. What was meaningful to them? Is there something they can do personally or as a quorum to apply what they have learned?

• Give the young men a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.

• Remind the young men that they will have the opportunity to share their experiences at the beginning of the next meeting.

Related Youth Activities

Plan a Mutual activity that will help the young men apply what they learned in this lesson.