D&C 43:34
Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds.
I really appreciated Gregg’s effort on our behalf in writing and sharing with us his testimony. Chastity is often a difficult topic upon which to talk. I hope my thoughts on the topic will, in some way, add to the light on the hill that our brother Gregg has lit.
I ask why a lot.
Why are we commanded to be chaste? Obviously it is enough that the commandment has been given, but are we just to be mindlessly obedient? It is my testimony that we have been given the Light of Christ and keen minds able to search out understanding and wisdom. So why have we been commanded to be chaste, and why is satan so keen on tempting us to not be? The following question resonates in my mind when ever I put any serious thought to this subject.
To what end were we born?
To answer that I must acknowledge the power by which we exist. All life comes from Heavenly Father. It was by his power and Priesthood that the Creation was brought to pass. Moses 1:39 speaks directly to the state of mind of our Father and his purpose for creation. For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I know this is a popular scripture reference but the implications found therein are staggering.
It is possible for us, silly, imperfect, fallible, mortal human beings to obtain immortality and eternal life. And what is eternal life? John 17:3 answers in saying, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. The scriptures come fast now. The brother of Jared’s experience speaks to the knowledge of which was spoken. And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting. (Ether 3:19) But this was an experience limited to a moment of mans reckoning of time in the mortal frame; the New Testament offers a more permanent promise to the faithful. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) We are born to be like unto the Christ, who has the fullness of the Father. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)
But how is it done?
D&C 50:24 identified both ends of the spectrum of our Earthly existence; That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. It implies that there is a point in everyone’s life where they receive light and a piece of knowledge of The Plan of Salvation, as well as alludes to perfection. This awakening happens by as many varying means as there are people, but to those who humble themselves before the Lord begin to feel a yearning for something eternal, something beyond themselves. I love the Book of Enos. That Book demonstrates in a few verses the mighty change of heart spoken of by Alma. I imagine Enos going into the forest, walking among the trees, passing by the land that has already been hunted out to where game was more plentiful. As Enos was walking through the forest I can see him pondering the words of his father, and I am sure his mother. As he was pondering he hit that point where the lights go out, his families testimony was no longer sufficient to his continued progression. He needed to take responsibility for his own relationship with his Heavenly Father. He needed to walk by faith. He needed personal witness, direct from Heavenly Father to him, with no human mediary. So he decided to act in faith and according to Enos 4&5, And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. I don’t know many who have heard a voice as an answer to prayer, but we are promised we will receive an answer in a manner in which we can perceive. Enos continues his narrative in verses 6-8 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
And I said: Lord, how is it done?
And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
What I love about Enos is that his experience up to this point is amazing, but the mighty change is just starting to take hold. I imagine Enos had a similar reaction to the marvelous blessing he had just received like that of Lehi in the vision of the Tree of Life. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. (1 Nephi 8:12) But the mighty change is not yet complete, Enos continues to pour out his soul unto the Lord in supplication for the welfare of his people, the Nephites. Verse 10 mentions that his prayer was a struggle. When I think of struggle in terms of prayer I do not think of a pray in which he is repeating the words he has heard said in prayers before. Nor do I think it was a quick, bless my people ….amen. Struggling to me denotes a willingness to become his brothers keeper. More in line with… “Lord please grant unto my brethren this wonderful blessing that you have shown me, I pledge my heart, mind, might and strength to building up the Kingdom of Zion on Earth.” Enos’s mighty change of heart has come a long way, but it wasn’t enough for him. His faith began to be unshaken, his knowledge of the gospel was expanding, hi love for God’s children could not be contained to his people alone, but he started to feel compassion for his enemies. In this part of his prayer Enos recounts “many long strugglings.” I don’t live in a world where every day I am faced with being killed for who I am, or who my family is, or because of my religion, Enos did. Even though the Nephites and Lamanites had not grown to mighty nations at this point, the Lamanites still sought to kill the Nephites and assert their claim of authority and rule over them. Never the less, Enos continued until the Lord assured Enos that according to his, as well as his fathers’, faith, the Lamanites would be blessed.
Enos’s mighty change at this point is almost accomplished, only one thing left. Enos went to work. And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come, and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen.(Enos 19) I am sure Enos took courage in the words of Nephi … I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded…(1 Nephi 3:7).
Each of us as members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints has a personal responsibility to seek this mighty change of our hearts for ourselves. We have been given the truly priceless honor, through the waters of baptism, to take upon ourselves the Name of Christ. We are privileged to be part of Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. We have been given the Gift of The Holy Ghost to be a constant companion as we do the Lord’s work here on Earth. We have the same promises as the righteous of old. The Gospel is the same. We are to seek knowledge and understanding. We are to grow in mighty faith, unshaken hope, and most importantly true unflinching charity. We are to behold and perform miracles in the name of the Lord. We are to speak with the tongues of angels. In D&C 50:13,14 …I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.
But what does all of this have to do with Chastity?
A lack of chastiy is second only to the shedding of innocent blood as the most grievous of sins of which there can be repentance.
Why?
I can’t help myself. I have a compulsion to understand why, or at least understand to the best of my limited ability. I see it as coming down to a visceral spiritual life and death struggle. In committing murder I would be using my agency to choose the time and place of another’s end of their mortal probation. I would decide that I know best, that other person has had enough time to repent and come unto Christ. I can’t imagine standing in front of the Saviour at the judgment bar having to answer to the Lord for that heinous act of hubris. On the flip side is the mighty change of heart possible to all who seek it, a love for life, and a genuine desire and resolve to do everything in my power to ameliorate the physical and spiritual lives of all of my sisters and brothers.
I believe that many of the same concerns are valid in a discussion of chastity. In the commission of unchaste thoughts and actions I am devaluing the person concerned to the point where they are there to satisfy my lusts and desires. I am supplanting God’s wisdom with my weakness and long has fled any consideration to the eternal value of the other persons soul, or mine for that matter.
I have been unsure how to close these thoughts for a couple weeks now. I wanted this to be a big powerful finish. I think I will have to be satisfied with my testimony, such as it is.
Christ lives. He has a body of flesh and bones separate to that of our Father in Heaven. Our brother Jesus Christ has enacted our Father’s glorious plan of eternal happiness. Whether we accept it or not we have been and are now part of that plan. We are mortal and as such are prone to weakness and carnal desires. We lack perspective. Much is required of us. We have not been left comfortless. We have the scriptures. We have a prophet. We have each other. It is good to seek out wisdom and perfection, it is more important to be actively engaged in the Gospel. Each and every one of us is a child of our Heavenly parents; we are capable of more than we can imagine as the power of Christ’s Atonement is available to us all.
I offer this humbly in the Name of our Lord.
~amen
