Law of chastity

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The law of chastity is one of two moral codes established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As part of the church's Endowment ceremony, the law of chastity is defined as the avoidance of sexual relations except with a legal spouse, and participants in the ceremony are bound by oath to obey this law. The law of chastity also refers to a much broader code banning most sexual activities including masturbation and the viewing of pornography.

[edit] Law of chastity in the Endowment ceremony

In the Endowment ceremony, participants make an oath to obey the "law of chastity" as it has been defined in the ceremony, which defines it as that men and women should have no sexual relations except with the person to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded. "Sexual relations" which is commonly defined as "sexual activity between individuals" is also referred to as "sexual relationships" in recent Mormon literature. Some activities that are a violation of the Law of Chastity are rape, incest, adultery, fornication, homosexual behaviour, sexual abuse, and when done with someone other than a legally and lawfully wedded spouse, sexual touching and cybersex.

Although the Endowment ceremony only specifically prohibits sexual relations except with a legal spouse, the church has made it clear that it considers sexual relations within a legal same-sex marriage to be a violation of this law, as well as sex within legal polygamous marriages.

[edit] Broader law of chastity as taught by church leaders

Obedience to the Law of Chastity is a requirement of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it is not viewed by faithful members as the full extent of what they can do to please God in regards to the sexual aspects of their lives.^{[citation needed]} They are encouraged by the teachings of Jesus Christ to avoid even the thought of the activities described above, including dressing modestly and avoiding pornography as well as controlling their sexual passions such as refraining from self masturbation and sexual perversion.

Importantly, Mormons believe that sexuality between man and woman lawfully married is divinely appointed and has two purposes: to "multiply and replenish the Earth" (Bible, Genesis 1:28) as commanded by God to Adam and Eve, and to strengthen the bond between man and woman that they might "become one flesh" (Bible, Mark 10:8), something many Christian sects believe to be a metaphor for a strong, healthy, happy physical, and mental union. Also seen as meaning, sexual relations are not to be used just for creating offspring but also for the expression of love between husband and wife throughout their lives.

Even though the violation of the Law of Chastity is considered a grievous sin before God, one who has violated the Law of Chastity, through proper repentance, can still be eligible to gain eternal salvation.

[edit] References

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