Struggling with the Law of Chastity

[checkerboy]

Originally Posted by GoodK

1991. Why wouldn't Joseph Smith, Jr. even mention it?

If it is a sin - that is not a modern invention or a recent trend that JS wouldn't have known about - why hasn't he or any of the early church prophets advised us that it is a sin?

Hopefully I am wrong about this and there is some sort of deeply rooted church doctrine behind this theory that I have not been made aware of yet.

To me it seems like this action has recently been called a sin. I am not advocating sin here. I just find it unfortunate that members would rather die a painful death via prostate cancer and live their lives constantly berating themselves with unnecessary guilt. Especially when this guilt seems to be very shallowly rooted in recent opinions from Church officials.

But what do I know.

Is this Fiannan???? Did you get yourself another nic?? Hahahaha. If not then wow you sound just like him. Dude calm down. I find it funny that there are so many very liberally minded members of the church when it comes to this topic. Why not just give the guy advice based on what he has stated rather then throw out your own opinions. If you don't agree with him don't respond, this thread is in the ADVICE forum so give advice not criticism.

[GoodK]

Originally Posted by skalenfehl

What any prophet says from the time of Adam to today is scripture.

President Ezra Taft Benson said:

"The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the Lord" to give us scripture."

Sometimes there are those who haggle over words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel, but that we are not obligated to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet Joseph, "Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you" (D&C 21:4).

Said Brigham Young, "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call scripture" (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot], 13:95).

Hmmm... so everything the prophet says is scripture. Are you sure about that?

I thought a prophet was only a prophet when he was acting as such.I thought there were some things that church leaders spoke about, such as Brigham Young's Adam-God theory, that were not considered doctrine.

Are you really saying that every thing a prophet says is official church doctrine?

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by GoodK

Hmmm... so everything the prophet says is scripture. Are you sure about that?

I thought a prophet was only a prophet when he was acting as such.I thought there were some things that church leaders spoke about, such as Brigham Young's Adam-God theory, that were not considered doctrine.

Are you really saying that every thing a prophet says is official church doctrine?

I am absolutely positive.

The prophet is the voice of the Lord. He speaks God's word to us.

He that hath ears let him hear. GoodK, I suspect that in your youth, you have not diligently searched the scriptures and the words of the prophets. I hope that you are building a very close relationship with the Lord. Best wishes.

[VisionOfLehi]

Given in an address by a Prophet of the Lord, President Spencer W. Kimball, New Era October 1980

Self-abuse

Masturbation, a rather common indiscretion, is not approved of the Lord nor of his church, regardless of what may have been said by others whose “norms” are lower. Latter-day Saints are urged to avoid this practice. Anyone fettered by this weakness should abandon the habit before he goes on a mission or receives the holy priesthood or goes in the temple for his blessings.
Sometimes masturbation is the introduction to the more serious sins of exhibitionism and the gross sin of homosexuality. We would avoid mentioning these unholy terms and these reprehensible practices were it not for the fact that we have a responsibility to the youth of Zion that they be not deceived by those who would call bad good, and black white

And current prophets, seers, and revelators tell us not to do it.

A living prophet is more important than Scripture. The Lord tells us what we need for this day.

The OP believes this, as do most LDS. Let's try to help him as he's asked, and not try to decide whether or not it's "Okay" by the world's standard.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by skalenfehl

I am absolutely positive.

The prophet is the voice of the Lord. He speaks God's word to us.

He that hath ears let him hear. GoodK, I suspect that in your youth, you have not diligently searched the scriptures and the words of the prophets. I hope that you are building a very close relationship with the Lord. Best wishes.

At that point, I would agree. He has to be in control at all time. Even we can muster that much ability in our own lives, we can better prophets in our home.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by VisionOfLehi

Given in an address by a Prophet of the Lord, President Spencer W. Kimball, New Era October 1980



And current prophets, seers, and revelators tell us not to do it.

A living prophet is more important than Scripture. The Lord tells us what we need for this day.

The OP believes this, as do most LDS. Let's try to help him as he's asked, and not try to decide whether or not it's "Okay" by the world's standard.

Well put...

One sinful act leads to another sinful act, then to another sinful act [at that time, the Spirit withdraws itself from that individual] until finally, the person apostasies.

[skalenfehl]

Many good points. Please, let's get back to helping the original poster with words of encouragement and support.

[GoodK]

Originally Posted by skalenfehl

I am absolutely positive.

The prophet is the voice of the Lord. He speaks God's word to us.

He that hath ears let him hear. GoodK, I suspect that in your youth, you have not diligently searched the scriptures and the words of the prophets. I hope that you are building a very close relationship with the Lord. Best wishes.

Wow, an ad hominem already. An ominous sign, in my experience. And I'm still under 10 posts.

You say that every word the prophet has spoken is considered church doctrine. However, I could quite easily cite something that a prophet has said that is not considered church doctrine. In fact, I think I did, but you never responded.
And certainly JS knew of this sin, yet remained silent about it. This also begs an answer.
I'm all for helping the young man, but I am not for calling things sins that are not sins. Especially when such self imposed guilt can have such dire psychological consequences.

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by GoodK

Wow, an ad hominem already. An ominous sign, in my experience. And I'm still under 10 posts.

You say that every word the prophet has spoken is considered church doctrine. However, I could quite easily cite something that a prophet has said that is not considered church doctrine. In fact, I think I did, but you never responded.
And certainly JS knew of this sin, yet remained silent about it. This also begs an answer.
I'm all for helping the young man, but I am not for calling things sins that are not sins. Especially when such self imposed guilt can have such dire psychological consequences.

Please start a new thread to discuss this and I'm sure you will be treated with many intelligent replies. For the record, you are not the first to bring up this matter. Do a search.

[GoodK]

Originally Posted by skalenfehl

Please start a new thread to discuss this and I'm sure you will be treated with many intelligent replies.

Sorry, did I derail this thread? I assumed I was on topic, helping the guy out by giving an alternative way to think about this.

I think it is helpful to examine what is doctrine, and what is tradition or assumed doctrine.