Latter-day Saints and the Law of Chastity
The Mormon Code of Sexual Conduct Before and During Marriage
Personal sexual purity is very important to the Latter-day Saint (LDS or Mormon) faith. The Book of Mormon teaches that sexual sins are “most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood.” (Alma 39:5) In other words, Mormons believe that breaking the Law of Chastity is second in seriousness only to murder.
What is the Mormon “Law of Chastity?”
The Law of Chastity means not having any sexual relations before marriage and complete fidelity to spouse during marriage. It also includes keeping thoughts, words, and actions pure. Men and women are expected to maintain the same standards of chastity.
Mormon Beliefs about Extramarital Sex
The LDS church forcefully believes in the Ten Commandments, the seventh of which reads, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). If a member of the church has made covenants of chastity in the temple and then commits adultery, he or she can even be excommunicated. Spouses are expected to show complete fidelity to each other in thought, word, and deed.
Mormon View of Premarital Sex
Mormon doctrine says that God gave a portion of His procreative powers to humankind to use within the bonds of marriage, and to misuse that power is to mock God and his gift.
Former LDS church president Spencer W. Kimball said that “the world may countenance premarital sex experiences, but the Lord and his church condemn in no uncertain terms any and every sex relationship outside of marriage.” That includes not just intercourse, but any physical intimacy such as necking or petting.
LDS Attitudes about Pornography and Masturbation
The LDS church counsels members to stay far away from pornography and stimulating images of any kind, no matter where they are found. Pornography, it's believed, degrades the sexual experience, cultivates unrealistic and unhealthy attitudes about sex, and engenders addiction.
Pornography is also prohibited on the grounds that such material encourages masturbation, which is also believed to be a sexual sin for both males and females.
Latter-day Saint Stance on Homosexuality
According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, feelings of same-gender attraction are not in themselves sinful, but acting upon those inclinations is.
Former church president Spencer W. Kimball says that “if one has such desires and tendencies, he [must work to] overcome them the same as if he had the urge toward petting or fornication or adultery.”
Today, individuals who simply cannot conquer their same-gender attraction are counseled to remain abstinent, just as any other unmarried individual. The official Mormon position is that gay marriage should not be made legal.
Mormon Attitudes about Sex within Marriage
Some interpret the LDS emphasis on chastity to mean that Mormons feel that sex is dirty or sinful. However, teachings by modern leaders of the church show that great reverence is given to the expression of physical intimacy within marriage:
- Richard G. Scott: “Within the enduring covenant of marriage, the Lord permits husband and wife the expression of the sacred procreative powers in all their loveliness and beauty within the bounds He has set.”
- Spencer W. Kimball: “In the context of lawful marriage, the intimacy of sexual relations is right and divinely approved. There is nothing unholy or degrading about sexuality in itself, for by that means men and women join in a process of creation and in an expression of love.”
- Bruce. C Hayfen: “The scriptures and the prophets counsel us to be virtuous not because romantic love is bad, but precisely because romantic love is so good. It is not only good, it is pure, precious, even sacred and holy.”
Within marriage, physical intimacy is ordained of God. The LDS church today teaches that, in the words of Spencer W. Kimball, “we know of no directive from the Lord that proper sexual experience between husbands and wives need be limited totally to the procreation of children.” Therefore, sexuality in marriage is for expressing love in addition to just procreating.
The Law of Chastity precludes premarital or extramarital sexual relations, pornography, masturbation, or homosexuality. Members of the church who violate the Law of Chastity are counseled to seek the help of their ecclesiastical leader in beginning the repentance process.
Law of Chastity: No Sex Outside Marriage
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