Ready Always / Everyday questions / Dating & relationships

So you’re really waiting until you’re married?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“Yeah, I am. I believe sex is sacred and belongs in marriage, and that’s worth waiting for. It’s not that I think it’s gross. I think it’s important.”

Then ask them: Do you think people our age feel a lot of pressure about that stuff?
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

The law of chastity, in the words of For the Strength of Youth, is that “God approves of sexual activity only between a man and a woman who are married.” The guide is clear that sexual feelings “are not sinful—they are sacred,” part of God’s plan for happy marriages and families.

The guide asks youth to keep sex and sexual feelings from becoming “the subject of jokes or entertainment,” to avoid pornography, and to stay away from situations that make temptation stronger. It also makes a promise: living this law “protects you and your future family” and will bring “greater love, trust, and unity” to marriage.

Two things are worth adding. If someone has made mistakes, Jesus Christ’s Atonement is real and full forgiveness is possible. And if someone was abused, the guide says plainly that being a victim is not a sin.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20Flee fornication; your body is a temple
18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Read in New Testament, Connected →
Genesis 39:7-12Joseph runs from Potiphar’s wife
7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Read in Old Testament, Connected →
Alma 39:9Go no more after the lusts of your eyes
9Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. Read in Book of Mormon, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

Media often treats sex as casual and expected. Some friends really are curious; others might joke to see how you react.

OfficialFor the Strength of Youth: Your body is sacred ↗OfficialTopics and Questions: Chastity ↗OfficialTopics and Questions: Pornography ↗

Source labels: Official = published by the Church. Scripture = the standard works. Faithful scholarship = independent Latter-day Saint researchers. Helpful, but not official.

4

For me

Think it through
  1. What do I want my future marriage to feel like?
  2. Which media choices make this commitment easier or harder?
  3. Do I believe the Savior can help anyone who has made mistakes, including me?
Act in faithWhat do I already know and believe here?
Eternal perspectiveHow does God’s plan change how I see this?
Good sourcesWho could I ask: a parent, a leader, the scriptures?

Notes stay on this page while it’s open and aren’t saved or sent anywhere.

5

Practice this one

Pick a reply

Friends also ask

Why can’t you date until you’re 16?Why do you dress like that? Aren’t you hot?Why won’t you watch that show (or movie) with us?Does your church hate gay people?

Weak Things is an independent site, not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are written to match the Church’s published teachings, and every answer links to its sources.

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