2-37: maintaining chastity through righteous living

Here's the lesson from the manual. We didn't go over any of the stories, but focused our discussion on how different commandments and/or principles are related to and strengthen each other.

Proverbs 6:28: Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

You can't choose the consequences of your actions. You can choose your actions, but the consequences come along too. You can't pick up just one side of a stick.

We talked more specifically about what it means to be chaste.

Is petting OK? Petting: touching the private parts of someone else's body, either above or below their clothing, or allowing someone to touch you. If it's covered by your underwear, it's off limits. It's not OK.

What about 'sexting?' Not OK. Not pictures - never mind the fact that they can be passed along to who knows how many other people, even if only one person where to see them, it's not OK. Think again about your intent: if the behaviour is arousing sexually, you need to change it. The same thing goes for words.

Is it OK if it's just something that someone else forwarded? That someone else is showing you from their phone? NO. Still wrong. Please don't be a part of gossiping about someone else who might have made a dumb decision.

How about hugging? You can tell when it's just a hug, and when it crosses the line to something more. Don't EVER be afraid to tell someone you're uncomfortable with them touching you, even if it's 'just a hug.' If it creeps you out, ask them to stop. Don't worry about embarrassing them. You can still be nice about it, but it's OK to not be nice if that's what it takes to get them to stop.

How do the following principles help in living the law of chastity, or strengthen each other?

Word of Wisdom
Obedience - to God and to parents
Modesty - words, dress, actions
Service
Prayer
Fasting
Love of God, yourself, and other
studying the scriptures

(I tried to remember all the things you guys said. If I missed some, please let me know and I'll fix it!)

• service - increases love for yourself and others
• prayer and fasting go together - fasting without prayer just means you're hungry
• obedience - it's not always easy to obey your parents, but you know that they love you, so that helps you try to obey them
• prayer and scriptures - the scriptures mean a lot more when you pray first before reading
• Word of Wisdom - when you're not in control of yourself, you're more likely to make choices you wouldn't normally make
• modesty - when you value yourself and who you are, you don't have to dress like everyone else, and you don't have to put it all out there
• scriptures - reading the scriptures is a good way to feel better and find comfort

You guys had some really great insights. I left thinking about some things in a different way, and I was totally impressed with how thoughtful you all are!