Lesson 10

Why is chastity important?

Chastity is sexual purity and involves being morally clean in thoughts, words, and actions. Sexual intimacy 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. When we are sexually pure, we qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, are protected from the emotional and spiritual damage of sexual sin, and are worthy to participate in the ordinances of the Gospel.

Young couple

As a teacher, prepare yourself spiritually

How has living the law of chastity blessed you?

What doctrines will best help the service members feel the importance of chastity and virtue? What false ideas are service members exposed to that diminish the importance of chastity?

Prayerfully study these resources. Other resources may be included later in the outline as well. How can you help service members understand and feel the importance of chastity and virtue?

• Genesis 39:7–21 (Joseph fled from sexual sin)

• 1 Nephi 10:21 (We must be pure to dwell with God)

• Alma 39:1–13 (Sexual sin is an abomination)

• Moroni 9:9 (Chastity is dear and precious)

• D&C 46:33 (Practice virtue and holiness before the Lord)

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Personal Purity,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 75–78; Liahona, Jan. 1999, 89–92

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, Oct. 2007, 42–45; Liahona, Oct. 2007, 40–43

• David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 41–44

• Linda S. Reeves, “Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 15–17

• “Dress and Appearance,” “Sexual Purity,” For the Strength of Youth (2011), 6–8, 35–37

• “Chastity,” True to the Faith (2004), 29–33

• Videos: “I Choose to Be Pure”; “True Confidence”; “Chastity: What Are the Limits?”

Begin the learning experience

Use the following idea or think of your own to introduce the lesson.

• Invite someone from class to hold up a picture of Joseph resisting Potiphar’s wife (see Gospel Art Book, 11; Genesis 39:5–13) and summarize the story in his or her own words. What eventually happened as a result of Joseph’s faithfulness? What could have happened if he had broken the law of chastity? Why is it important to remain chaste? (Note: Depending on the needs and concerns of service members, you may wish to include parts of the repentance or forgiveness lessons to help service members understand that they can be forgiven of sexual sins.)

Teaching tip

“Remember that building faith and becoming more Christlike does not happen in one brief class period. As you invite those you teach to act on true doctrine, you help them extend the learning experience into their homes and daily lives (see D&C 43:8–10)” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 35).

Learn together

Each of the following activities can help the service members understand the law of chastity. Following the guidance of the Spirit, select one or more of the learning activities that will work best with your class.

• Invite some of the members of your group to read scriptures about chastity (such as those suggested in this outline); invite others to read “Sexual Purity” in For the Strength of Youth; and invite the rest to read “Chastity” in True to the Faith. Ask them to look for answers to the question “Why is chastity important to the Lord?” and share what they find. How are the principles in these scriptures and resources different from what the world teaches about chastity? What did the class learn from these resources that can help them detect the falsehood in the world’s view?

• Show the video “Chastity: What Are the Limits?” After the video, ask the service members to explain what the analogies (such as the waterfall, airplane, or alligator) teach them about the law of chastity. What else did they learn from this video? Invite them to think of and share other analogies that teach the importance of chastity.

• Give each class member copies of the talks listed in this outline. You may want to divide the talks into sections and ask groups of class members to study different sections. Ask class members to use the talks to answer the question “Why is it important to be sexually pure?” Invite them to share statements or truths from the talks that they found meaningful or important. How can they use what they learn to help their friends understand why chastity is important to them?

• Invite members of the class to watch “I Choose to Be Pure” or “True Confidence,” looking for answers to the question “Why is chastity important?” Ask them to share their thoughts and contrast the views expressed in the video with what the world teaches. What can members of the class do to support each other in their efforts to obey the law of chastity?

Invite to act

Challenge service members to be chaste in their thoughts, communications, and actions.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

In every setting, the Savior was an example and mentor. He taught His disciples to pray by praying with them. He taught them to love and serve by the way He loved and served them. He taught them how to teach His gospel by the way He taught it. How will you be an example of chastity and virtue to fellow service members? (See the video “Know and Love Us” on the LDS Media Library.)