2-33: the sacred power of procreation

Here is a link to the lesson from the manual. We didn't have time to go over very much of it, so read the talk from Elder Packer. That's where all the quotes I used are from. This talk is GREAT on the WHY - my favorite question, right? :)

This is what we discussed, included with somethings that I wanted to go over but that we didn't have time for.

We started with a 'blind poll' - by raise of hands, while everyone had their eyes closed - with two questions, to get a baseline of where everyone is.

1. Have your parents talked to you about how life is created - 'the birds and the bees?'
2. Is sex discussed openly in your home?

Procreation: to create life
(From the dictionary: To beget and conceive offspring; reproduce. PRO from latin means forward - think progress.)

What is the difference in meaning between 'procreation' and 'sex?'

• The word 'sex' sounds more worldly - music videos, fashion, Lady Gaga, jokes, movies
• 'Procreation' has more connotations of being joint partners with God in creating life

The Great Plan of Happiness in a nutshell is this:

• We existed (as spirits) before we came here to Earth.
• While on earth, we're going to be tested.
• After this life, we're headed to other places, depending on the choices we made.
• Our goal is to return to live with Heavenly Father.

Gaining a body is a critical part of God's plan for each of us. As women, we have the opportunity to help create that body - have children - with our husband and God. It is a sacred, important power created by God.

Once you get your period, you are physically able to have a child. You are NOT spiritually or emotionally ready yet. But once you are physically able to bear a child, the feelings that go along with that start cooking. This is why you think that boys are HOT. And that's a good thing - that's what God intended. But we have to learn to control this power.

Repentance is always an option. There is nothing you can do that will make God love you less. You can always fix things. But we'd really like to help you make good choices on the front end, before you go that route.

From Elder Packer:

'It was necessary that this power of creation have at least two dimensions. One, it must be strong, and two, it must be more or less constant.

'This power must be strong. Except for the compelling persuasion of these feelings, men would be reluctant to accept the responsibility of sustaining a home and a family. This power must be constant too, for it becomes a binding tie in family life.

In the animal world, families are rare. Most animals don't stick with one mate. The world will try and argue that humans are the same way - that it's silly to just be with one person. This idea is wrong.

Marriage was created by God.

The purpose of marriage is to create families for now and eternity.

• As soon as you are married, you go from being two single individuals to becoming a family. Even before you have children.
• Intercourse is a powerful bond in a marriage. It helps keep your parents together as a team. When your parents are all 'lovey dovey,' that actually strengthens your whole family and glues you all tighter together.

So, what's the big deal with chastity? Why do we talk about it all the time?

From President Richards up at girls' camp (paraphrased): Being chaste means keeping ourselves - our bodies, our thoughts - clean. If you are in any situation which causes you to become sexually aroused, you need to change that situation.

Who has a friend that has to have a boyfriend? Almost everyone raised their hand.

How many of these friends feel like they have to kiss their boyfriend in order to keep him as their boyfriend? Almost everyone raised their hand.

Girls (and I should have said boys too) sometimes confuse 'liking someone' with having to show it physically. Any boy that says 'if you really like me/love me, you'll do this . . .' is NOT the boy for you.

God created this power - the power to create and bind husbands and wives together. It's an essential part of his plan. Satan tweaks this power, and tries to make it seem like it's really not that big of a deal through a variety of ways - music, movies, TV shows.

It is a big deal. It is totally worth waiting for that ONE person who is ready and willing and worthy to marry you in the temple.

Talk to your parents. You need to understand how your bodies work physically, and what exactly the law of chastity means. If this is too uncomfortable or difficult to talk about with your parents - my mom was NOT one who could talk about this stuff - talk to a leader or some other trustworthy adult.

For good and/or bad, sexual things are talked about a lot more openly now. You need to make sure that you have the right information, and that you don't get yourself into a bad situation because you don't know or aren't sure if something is OK.

I found this thoughts on obedience that I thought went along perfectly with this discussion, but we ran out of time.

Again from Elder Packer: 'Obedience—that which God will never take by force—he will accept when freely given. And he will then return to you freedom that you can hardly dream of—the freedom to feel and to know, the freedom to do, and the freedom to be, at least a thousandfold more than we offer him. Strangely enough, the key to freedom is obedience.'

1. Obedience is an act of faith
2. Obedience is our gift back to Heavenly Father
3. Increased testimony is His continued gift back to us
4. The feelings accompanying this increase then contribute to our faith and our ability to obey.
   

Here are the questions for the week to think about:

• What blessings can I have from staying morally pure?
  
• What are the small decisions I can make that will guard me against the temptation of immorality?