Within the Bounds the Lord Has Set

6/11/17
Dear Future Family,
            Something that is very fascinating to me is the fact that today our society makes it seem like love, acceptance and happiness are found by living the way that the world teaches us to live. In reality, if we follow the way of the world, it cannot provide us with true love, complete acceptance or never-ending happiness. That kind of fulfillment can only be found in its fullness by living the way that Jesus Christ lived.
            This week’s topic is one that can be complex and sensitive. There are many aspects of one’s life, as well as the lives of those around them, that can be impacted greatly by it and that, unfortunately, is misunderstood and mistreated today. I would like to focus, however, on one particular idea that I have found very valuable in my own life and that I have seen change the lives of others.
            In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that, “the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).” Sexual purity is not a message that is often taught or understood in the world today. Respect and selflessness has been overrun by greed and selfishness. True love has become rare and corrupted by media and other sources that do not understand the true purpose of life and the sacred gifts that God has given us.
            Because sexual purity is something that the church finds so essential, it has come out with several pamphlets and other teaching tools to educate people about what can bring true happiness through chastity and living with high standards. One pamphlet, meant specifically for the youth, states: “Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It 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.”
    I have seen many examples of people forming physically intimate bonds with each other outside of marriage only later to find that those bonds have broken, along with the hearts involved. Sexual relations outside of marriage is increasingly popular in the world, however, it is always destructive to both participants. Not only can it be physically destructive, but also, without question, spiritually and emotionally. It is not something to be taken lightly or to see as something to be used recreationally. That viewpoint is incorrect, immature, and ignorant. There will be no lasting happiness or satisfaction as long as a relationship is sharing those kinds of intimate relations outside the bounds that the Lord has set.
            God loves us. All of us. No matter who we are, no matter what we have done. However, he has set his standard. He will not make us abide by it, but He expects us to accept the consequences whether we choose to or choose not to. God gives us commandments to teach us how to live a life greater than ourselves. A life that it divine and godly. That is why it is difficult. It is not convenient, but it is possible. Through the sacrifice made by His Son, Jesus Christ, no matter the mistakes we have made, we can become clean, as long as we are willing to make the change.

 Sydney 

Sources: 
The Family: A Proclamation to the World: https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng&old=true
For the Strength of the Youth:
https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/sexual-purity?lang=eng

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