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, and we are protected from the emotional and spiritual damage of sexual sin.
Prepare yourself spiritually
How has living the law of chastity blessed you?
What doctrines will best help the young women feel the importance of chastity? Which false teachings are they exposed to that diminish the importance of chastity?
Prayerfully study these resources. How can you help the young women understand and feel the importance of chastity?
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; 121:45–46 (The importance of virtue)
David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Personal Purity”
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, Oct. 2007, 42–45
Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 78–80
“Dress and Appearance,” “Sexual Purity,” For the Strength of Youth (2010), 6–8, 35–37
“Chastity,” True to the Faith (2004), 29–33
Videos: “I Choose to Be Pure,” “Chastity: What Are the Limits?” “True Confidence”
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 your young women?
Video: “Know and Love Us”
Share experiences
At the beginning of each class, invite the young women to share, teach, and testify about the experiences they have had applying what they learned in the previous week’s lesson. This will encourage personal conversion and help the young women see the relevance of the gospel in their daily lives.
Introduce the doctrine
See other learning and teaching ideas.
Choose from these ideas or think of your own to introduce this week’s lesson:
- Several days before class, invite the young women to watch the video “I Choose to Be Pure” or read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s article “Personal Purity” in preparation for this lesson. At the beginning of class, invite the young women to share things they’ve learned or questions they have.
- Invite a young woman to hold up a picture of Joseph resisting Potiphar’s wife (see the Gospel Art Book, 11) and summarize the story in her own words. What did Joseph do to remain pure? What eventually happened as a result of Joseph’s faithfulness? What could have happened had he been untrue to his covenants? Why is it important to remain chaste?
Learn together
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Each of the activities below can help the young women learn about the law of chastity. Following the guidance of the Spirit, select one or more that will work best in your class:
- Invite some of the young women 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 do the young women 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 young women to explain what the analogies (such as the waterfall, airplane, or alligator) teach them about the law of chastity. What else do they learn from this video? Invite them to think of and share other analogies that teach the importance of chastity.
- Invite the young women to watch “I Choose to Be Pure” or “True Confidence,” looking for possible 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 wants young women to believe. What can the young women do to support each other in their efforts to obey the law of chastity?
- Divide the young women into groups. Give each group one of the sections of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s article “Personal Purity” or Elder David A. Bednar’s talk “We Believe in Being Chaste.” Have each group study their section and answer the question “Why is it important to be sexually pure?” Invite them to share statements or truths that they found meaningful or important. How can they use what they learn to help their friends understand why chastity is important to them?
- Ask the young women to use the “Dress and Appearance” section in For the Strength of Youth to answer questions such as “What are the Lord’s standards concerning modesty?” “Why is it important for you to follow these standards?” and “How does modesty reflect or influence our attitude toward the law of chastity?” Ask them to share their answers and ponder what they can do to follow these standards more fully.
- Ask the young women how they would help a friend who is struggling with same-gender attraction. Invite them to look for ideas in Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s article “Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction.” Encourage them to write a letter that could help their friend. What else do they learn from Elder Holland’s article?
Ask the young women to share what they learned today. Do they understand the law of chastity better? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be helpful to spend more time on this doctrine?
