This Sunday's Lesson was from the conference talk by Elder Bednar - We believe in Being Chaste
Sis Murdock taught and although this topic is usually one more for the youth she explained, we need to be chaste and virtuous in our marriages too.
Too many people live in their past mistakes. We all make mistakes. Don't let them hang over your head. We need to move on.
She asked, "What is the law of Chastity so important?"
Elder Bednar lists 7 things that support the importance of it:
1. The Father's plan of happiness - We are all created in His image. We are told Chastity and virtue are precious and dear above all.
Who knows the difference between chastity and virtue?
She shared this quote from Margaret Naudauld:
“Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”
2. Physical Body - We knew life would be difficult and to remain virtuous would be a life long challenge.
3. Power of ProCreation - It's not good for man to be along. Man and woman learn from, create and bless each other.
quote - Guilt to our spirit is what pain is to our body
Sis. Murdock had a kidney stone last week and she related how tiny it was and how much pain it could cause. Think about that relating it to a small sin - so much pain for our spirits and it can lead to shame, bitterness, sneaking, hiding, lies, etc.
4. Standards of Sexual Morality - Intimate relations between a man and wife in mortality are the ultimate expression of divine nature and way of strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife. Be loyal to each other.
5. Natural Man - Will I respond to the inclinations of the natural man, or will I yield
to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and put off the natural man and
become a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord?
That is the test. Every appetite, desire, propensity, and impulse of
the natural man may be overcome by and through the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. We are here on the earth to develop godlike qualities and to
bridle all of the passions of the flesh.
6. Intent of the Adversary - Heavenly Father desires us to be in the light and filled with hope. The Adversary wants us to be confused and unhappy. Lucifer seeks to frustrate and hinder our progress. He entices us to share in his misery.
What or How are we tempted today?
Several answers were shared. Here are some:
Innocent relationships between Men and Women that can go beyond friendship.
Facebook - reconnecting with old friends of the opposite sex
Music
Dancing
TV - every 4 mins there is a sexual reference
Movies
Internet Infidelity
Physical contact
DBA - Don't be alone with a member of the opposite sex
7. Blessings of being Chaste - “I can think of no blessings to be more fervently desired than those
promised to the pure and the virtuous...And not only shall they see the Lord, but they shall feel at home in his presence."
Chastity and virtue are now, always have been, and always will be “most dear and precious above all things” (Moroni 9:9).
Sis Murdock encouraged us to share this conference talk with our kids and grandkids.