Honesty and Morality

Morality means much more than just avoiding sexual sins like adultery or pre-marital sex.  It also means that we must be honest in our words and actions, firm in our loyalties and in fulfilling our obligations, and being charitable and loving to others.  Joseph Smith said,

[Mormons] believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things (Article of Faith 13)

Honesty means that we tell the truth at all times, even when it might be to our benefit to lie.  It also means that we never cheat others or intentionally mislead them.  To be honest also means that we must fulfill our promises.  We will find great peace in our life if we are totally honest with ourselves and with others.  Honesty also means working hard at our jobs and being sure that we always do the right thing, even if we must stand alone or risk the hatred of others. 

Another part of morality is chastity.  Mormons believe that the body is a sacred gift from God.  The Bible describes the body as a temple:

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

Mormons beliefs teach that the body is a temple, and should be treated with respect.  This means that we should take care of it physically and spiritually.  Not only should we strive to keep our bodies healthy through proper diet and physical exercise, but we should also keep our bodies spiritually clean by not committing immoral sins such as pre-marital sex, adultery, masturbation, or homosexual activity.

Jesus said that “not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the moth, this defileth a man” (Matt. 15:11).  He said earlier that anyone who “looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).  This means that we should keep our thoughts and actions pure.  We must avoid viewing pornography or other sexually explicit material whether it is pictures, movies, televisions shows, magazines, or printed material.  We must have no sexual relations except with one’s own spouse.  Within marriage, sexual relations are good and proper both as way of producing children, but also as a way of expressing love. 

Because sexuality is a gift from God to be used within the proper bounds, the Lord has forbidden fornication, adultery, masturbation, and homosexual activity.  These acts distort the original intent of human sexuality.  In 1995, the Gordon B. Hinckley, the President and Prophet of the Mormon Church issued the Proclamation on the Family.  It says:

        
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Keeping the law of chastity brings great blessings and peace into our lives.  Those who following this simple commandment need not worry about sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted, out-of-wedlock pregnancies and so forth.  Breaking this commandment is a very serious matter and persons should repent and seek forgiveness from God.  It is important to mention that, according to Mormonism, victims of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse are not guilty of sin and they need to be helped to overcome the unwanted consequences of someone else's sin.