We believe that physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the expression of love between husband and wife and for the creation of children.
God has commanded us to be chaste, which means to abstain from any form of sexual intimacy before marriage and to be completely faithful, in thoughts and actions, to our husband or wife after marriage. We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to God’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. We believe that the means by which mortal life is created is divinely appointed.
When we obey God’s commandment to be chaste, we prepare ourselves to make and keep sacred marriage vows and covenants. We prepare ourselves to build a strong marriage and to bring children into the world as part of a loving family. We protect ourselves from the emotional and spiritual damage that comes from sharing physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage.
We protect ourselves from the physical ailments associated with sexually transmitted disease. Chastity, which is also referred to as virtue and sexual morality, is essential to personal peace and strength of character and to happiness in the home. There are wonderful blessings, both spiritual and physical, associated with living a virtuous life.
In the world today, many people believe that sexual intimacy outside of marriage is acceptable when it is between two consenting adults, or when two people are in love, or when two people are involved in a committed monogamous relationship outside of marriage.
ADVERTISEMENT
In God’s sight, sexual sins are extremely serious because they defile and abuse the power God has given us to create life. We believe that life is sacred and the means by which it is created is sacred and beautiful within the bonds of marriage. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and to be reared by a father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.
When people care for one another enough to remain chaste and virtuous, their love, trust and commitment increase, resulting in greater happiness and unity. In contrast, relationships built on sexual immorality sour quickly. Those who engage in sexual immorality often feel guilt, fear and shame. Bitterness, jealousy, and hatred soon replace any positive feelings that once existed in their relationship. Sadly, there are numerous examples of pain and heartache from sexual immorality in the news today.
