To EverythingThere Is a Season Part
2:
Sacred BoundariesNovember 29, 2009
We can and must do a much better job as parents and leaders in teaching our
children and youth about sexual purity.
Teaching about sex is primarily the parents’
responsibility.But family and Church
leaders should also support parents.
Our lives and happiness are
protected by sacred boundaries.
Chastity is the fortress that protects love, self-respect,
relationships and the family.
The temple is a symbolof that fortress.
Physical intimacy between a married man and woman is a
beautiful, powerful,sacred bond.
For married couples, physical intimacy, when properly expressed, is the key to
emotional and spiritual unity.
Respect is the key to trust, and trust is the key to
enduring, romantic love.
When expressed with gentleness, great respect
and unselfishness, physical intimacy heals the marriage
relationship.
When expressed outside of sacred boundaries, physical intimacy always has painful
and often disastrous or devastating consequences
for a lot of people.
Who Will Your Choices Affect?
• Partner• Parents• Brothers and
sisters• Grandparents• Cousins• Close friends
• Acquaintances• Church leaders• School teachers• Your future
spouse• Unborn children• Others
If you enter into a physical relationship too soon, you too often make life commitments before you are emotionally
ready.
Foundations for Enduring
Relationships
Respect
Respect
Trust
Respect
Trust
Love
Respect
Trust
Love
Physical Affection
Respect
Respect
Trust
Respect
Trust
Love
Respect
Trust
Love Physical Affection
But as we seek acceptance or popularity, attention and affection, we sometimes do
so without a foundation.
Physical Affection
Physical Affection
Respect
Physical Affection
Respect
Trust
Physical Affection
Respect
Trust
Love
Physical Affection
Love
Physical Affection
Respect
Love
Physical Affection
Respect
Trust
Love
Physical Affection
Soothed by rationalizations, we step across sacred
boundaries, and often talk ourselves into doing things
that we would not otherwise do.
Aaron Wilburn: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and the Lord
“Satan may tempt you to rationalize that sexual
intimacy before marriage is acceptable when two people are in love. That is not true.”
—For the Strength of Youth, p. 26
Guardrails
The Holy Ghost
Do you have it with you?
You are the first and most important guardrail. It’s
about what is going on inside of you. No one can protect
you like you.
“Necking, petting, intimacies and improprieties of every kind should not be
indulged in at any time in dating or in courtship. Love and affection are
precious, and virtue must never be placed in jeopardy.”
—For the Strength of Youth (1965), p. 13.
“Do not date until you are at least 16 years old. Dating before then can lead to
immorality, limit the number of other young people you meet, and deprive you of experiences that will help you choose
an eternal partner.” —For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 24
If you are “going out” before 16 or steady dating after 16, you have crossed a sacred
boundary and are in danger.
When you cross that boundary, you may not have the protection of the Spirit.
Familiarity leads to boredom which leads to
experimentation which too often leads to transgression.
You may not want to date at all. That’s okay. There is plenty of time for dating
later.
“Going Out”
• “No one has asked me out. What’s wrong with me?”
• “Me too! Me too! I can go out too!”• A steady, romantic relationship
should only happen when you are of marriageable age
Okay Before Dating Age
• You can be good, old fashioned friends!• Talking together in groups, such as at
Mutual, school, dances, parties• All with your parent’s knowledge and
approval• Electronic communication is not a
substitute for face to face relationships
Not Okay Before Dating Age
• Pairing off• Two people intentionally alone is
essentially a date• Physical affection with romantic
intent• “Accidental” meet-ups
Early romance often slows and stunts emotional and
spiritual growth.
You will develop confidence in yourself through friendship
and social interaction, not romance.
How do you show affection when dating?
When is it appropriate to hold hands?
When is it appropriate to hug someone?
When is it appropriate to put your arm around someone?
When is it appropriate to kiss someone?
Having the Spirit with You
• Your greatest safeguard is to have the Spirit with you all the time
• Draw close to the Lord through daily prayer, scripture study, attendance at Church, Mutual, seminary
• You must be willing to be obedient• You must repent
Joseph and Potiphar’s wife: What happened?
“How...can I do this great wickedness, and sin against
God?” —Genesis 39:9
Joseph had integrity with himself, he had the Spirit, and he knew who he was.
You can, too. But it’s up to you.
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