The LDS Church places great emphasis on the law of chastity. Commitment to live the law of chastity is required for
baptism,
[10] and adherence is required to receive a
temple recommend.
[11]
The
Book of Mormon teaches that sexual sins are "most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost" (
Alma 39:5). Church leaders have similarly emphasized its importance.
Apostle Spencer W. Kimball, in his book
Miracle of Forgiveness, quoted
Heber J. Grant as saying, "[t]here is no true Latter-day Saint who would not rather bury a son or daughter than to have him or her lose his or her chastity—realizing that chastity is of more value than anything else in all the world."[
citation needed]
LDS Church president
Ezra Taft Benson wrote:
“From the beginning of time, the Lord has set a clear and unmistakable standard of sexual purity. It always has been, it is now, and it always will be the same. That standard is the law of chastity. It is the same for all—for men and women, for old and young, for rich and poor. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Jacob tells us that the Lord delights in the chastity of His children (see
Jacob 2:28). Do you hear that, my brothers and sisters? The Lord is not just pleased when we are chaste; He delights in chastity. Mormon taught the same thing to his son Moroni when he wrote that chastity and virtue are 'most dear and precious above all things.' (
Moroni 9:9)
[12]”
Violation of the law of chastity may result in
church discipline, including disfellowshipment or excommunication.
