Ready Always / Everyday questions / Language

Why don’t you swear? Like, ever?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“I try not to. Partly respect for God, especially using His name, and partly I just think words matter. Yes, I say “oh my heck” sometimes. It’s a whole thing.”

Then ask them: Honestly, what’s the funniest fake swear word you’ve heard?
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

Latter-day Saints try to use the names of God and Jesus Christ only with reverence. The Topics and Questions page on profanity explains that misusing those names is a sin, and that vulgar or crude language and jokes are offensive to the Lord and to others.

For the Strength of Youth puts it positively: “Make sure your language reflects your love of God and others.” It asks youth to say things that uplift, “nothing that might be divisive, hurtful, or offensive, even as a joke.” That covers more than swear words. It includes gossip, put-downs and mean comments online.

The Church page even offers a tip for when friends swear: you can “good-naturedly” encourage them to choose other words, change the subject, or politely walk away. No lectures needed.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

Exodus 20:7Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain
7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Read in Old Testament, Connected →
Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Read in New Testament, Connected →
James 3:2-10The power of the tongue
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Read in New Testament, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

For a lot of teens, swearing is just how people talk. When someone notices you don’t, they’re usually amused, not upset.

OfficialTopics and Questions: Profanity ↗OfficialFor the Strength of Youth: Love God, love your neighbor ↗

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. Do my words, including online, build people up?
  2. What phrases do I use casually that I could change?
  3. How do I feel when I use the Lord’s name with real reverence, such as in prayer?
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

Do you think you’re better than us?Why won’t you watch that show (or movie) with us?

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.

← All Ready Always questions · Practice mode · Ask a question