Throughout 1991, the Church News is featuring a monthly article focusing on a topic from the new pamphlet, "For the Strength of Youth." This is the ninth article in the series. Each article is written by a Church leader who works with youth. The pamphlet, which outlines 12 standards for young people to follow, was printed at the request of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve "for the information, guidance and blessings of the youth of the Church."It was my privilege to be present on Oct. 13, 1987, in the Marriott Center on the Brigham Young University campus, as our prophet President Ezra Taft Benson delivered a devotional address. He spoke on the law of chastity. I wish all the youth of the Church could have been present to hear his message and feel his love.

He said, "From the beginning of time, the Lord has set a clear and unmistakable standard of sexual purity. That standard is the law of chastity. It is the same for all - it is the same for men and women; it is the same for old and young; it is the same for rich and poor . . . . The law of chastity is a principle of eternal significance. We must not be swayed by the voices of the world. We must listen to the voice of the Lord and then determine that we will set our feet irrevocably upon the path He has marked." . . . I say again, as have all the prophets before me, there is one standard of virtue and chastity and all are expected to adhere to it. What the Lord says to one, He says to all; `Ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually.' " (D&C 46:33.)

In the excellent and timely booklet, "For the Strength of Youth," the Lord through His servants has set before us the standards of the Church, including the law of chastity or sexual purity. We are told that "the Lord specifically forbids certain behavior, including all sexual relations before marriage, petting, sex perversion (such as homosexuality, rape and incest), masturbation, or preoccupation with sex in thought, speech or action." (FSY p. 15.) In their letter of introduction in that booklet the First Presidency counsels and pleads with us to live morally clean lives, keeping both our "bodies and minds clean, free from the contaminations of the world," so that we will be "fit and pure vessels to bear the responsibilities of the kingdom of God in preparation for the second coming of our Savior." (FSY p. 4-5.)

There are other voices, the "voices of the world." They are the seductive, persuasive, "learned," evil and always confused voices that entice us to disobey the law of chastity. (D&C 46:7-8.) They would have us believe that to have "fun," to be "free," "popular" or experience "self-fulfillment," we must abandon all standards of sexual purity and decency. All such doctrines are inspired of the devil, the father of lies who seeks to "deceive" and "blind" and lead away "captive" the souls of men. (See Moses 4:3-6.) The scriptures record the awful, bitter, tragic and deadly fruits of sexual immorality. (Moses 5:12-13; 7:33-34; Gen. 19; Jacob 2:5-9, 31-35; 3:11-12; Alma 39:5-9.)

We have before us the voices of the Lord and His servants, and the voices of the devil and his servants. Latter-day Saint youth, what is your choice? Who do you believe? Who will you follow? As Joshua said of old, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve. . . . " (Josh. 24:14-15; see also Rom. 6:16; Alma 29:5.)

As you make your choice, remember, you are free to choose! But you are not free from the consequences of your choices. (2 Ne. 2:27-29.)

Remember also:

"You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a child of God . . . .

"Within your body is the power to beget life, to share in creation. The only legitimate expression of that power is within the covenant of marriage. The worthy use of it is the very key to your happiness. Do not use that power prematurely, not with anyone. The misuse of it cannot be made right by making it popular." (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 1989, p. 54; see also Gospel Doctrine, p. 275, 309.)

". . . There is no lasting happiness in immorality. There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastity. Just the opposite is true. There may be momentary pleasure. For a time it may seem like everything is wonderful. But quickly the relationship will sour. Guilt and shame set in. We become fearful that our sins will be discovered. We must sneak and hide, lie and cheat. Love begins to die. Bitterness, jealousy, anger, and even hate begin to grow. All of these are the natural results of sin and transgression.

"On the other hand, when we obey the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will experience the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect for our marital partners, deeper commitment to each other, and, therefore, a deep and significant sense of joy and happiness." (President Ezra Taft Benson, Devotional Address, BYU, Oct. 13, 1987.)

Because you are a child of God, "in dating, [you should alwaysT treat your date with respect, and expect your date to show that same respect to you." (FSY, p.15.)

As no other generation that has ever lived, we ought to see clearly that "the wages of sin is death," both spiritual and physical. (Rom. 6:23.)

Like faith, obedience to the law of chastity or sexual purity is a fundamental requirement for entering the celestial kingdom. (2 Pet. 1:4-10; D&C 4:4.) All who are not willing to obey "the law of Christ," or the law of the celestial kingdom "cannot abide a celestial glory." They will thus forfeit the right to have a celestial body, for only "they who are of a celestial spirit," shall receive a celestial body, with all its sacred powers, privileges and blessings. (See D&C 88:20-22,28; 93:33.)

We must never be deceived into thinking that it is "no big deal" to engage in sexual sins from which we can quickly repent. Satan knows these sins are second only to murder in the category of "personal crimes." (President Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 309.)

For those who have become entangled in the sins of immorality, President Benson counseled, "There is no choice but to repair your lives and repent of your sins. . . . Let your priesthood leaders help you resolve the transgression and come back into full fellowship with the Lord." (Devotional Address, BYU, Oct. 13, 1987.)

Only as we remain morally clean and pure can we:

- Partake of the sacrament and have full fellowship in the Church and have the blessings and spirit of the Lord to be with us always. (3 Ne. 18:28-29.)

- Receive and exercise the sacred powers of the holy priesthood and serve and magnify our callings in the Church. (D&C 121:36-46. See also conference address by Elder Robert L. Backman, Ensign, November 1989, p. 38-40.)

- Enter the holy temple to receive our endowments and perform vicarious ordinances for the redemption of the dead. (D&C 97:15-17.)

- Participate in missionary work or the gathering of the elect and the establishment of Zion. (D&C 50:26-29; see also "To Young Men of the Priesthood," President Ezra Taft Benson, p. 6-7.)

- Be sealed to a worthy companion and participate in eternal family life. (D&C 131:1-3, D&C 132:19-22; see also article by Elder Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, July 1972, p. 111-113.)

- Be "fit and pure vessels to bear the responsibilities of the kingdom of God in preparation for the second coming of our Savior." (FSY, p. 4-5.)

- Be true to our God, ourselves, our sacred covenants, those we love, those who love us, and be true to the unborn children who await and deserve a worthy and noble birthright. (See Elder Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, November 1990, p. 84-86.)

- Come to know and experience true love and everlasting happiness. (See Alma 38:12; Rom. 13:10; Mosiah 2:41.)

Surely we can see that "sexual purity is youth's most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness . . ." (James R. Clark, ed., Messages of the First Presidency, vol. 6, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975, 6:150) and "the very key to our happiness" and progression. Surely we can see also that sexual immorality is "service to Satan," (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 20) and only leads to sorrow, shame, guilt, broken hearts, broken dreams and bondage. (Mosiah 2:32-40.)

May you choose to obey the voice of the Lord and His servants! Choose to obey the eternal law of chastity or sexual purity! Choose to be fit and worthy vessels to bear off the responsibilities and qualify for the wonderful blessings of the kingdom of God in preparation for the coming of our Savior!

Next, Sunday behavior.

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