Jacob 2:22; Prov. 6:32; D&C 42:24-26; 59:6; Doctrines of Salvation, Smith, 2:94; Miracle of Forgiveness, Kimball, pp. 347-352; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Faith Precedes the Miracle, Kimball, pp. 151-159; Prov. 30:20; Moro. 9:7-10; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 188-189, 339; 1965 BYU Speeches of the Year, Kimball, pp. 20-21; Conference Report, Oct. 1942, pp. 10-12; Conference Report, Oct. 1962, p. 57; Doctrinal New Testatment Commentary 3:256; History of the Church, Smith 6:81; Gospel Doctrine, Smith, p. 273; refer in this text to Moro. 9:9
“There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within… . They are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity. But the third subject mentioned—personal purity, is perhaps of greater importance than either of the other two. We believe in one standard of morality for men and women. If purity of life is neglected, all other dangers set in upon us like the rivers of waters when the flood gates are opened.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 313)
“Do not be misled by Satan’s lies. There is no lasting happiness in immorality. There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastity. Just the opposite is true. There may be momentary pleasure. For a time it may seem like everything is wonderful. But quickly the relationship will sour… . Love begins to die. Bitterness, jealousy, anger, and even hate begin to grow. All of these are the natural results of sin and transgression. On the other hand, when we obey the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will experience the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect for our marital partners, [and] deeper commitment to each other… .” (Ezra Taft Benson, 1987-88 BYU Devotional & Fireside Speeches, p. 51)
“The power of procreation is not an incidental part of the plan of happiness, it is the key—the very key… . True love requires respect and reserving until after marriage the sharing of that affection which unlocks those sacred powers in that fountain of life. It means avoiding situations where physical desire might take control. Courtship is a time to measure integrity, moral strength, and worthiness. The invitation, ‘If you love me, you will let me,’ exposes a major flaw in character. It deserves the reply, ‘If you really loved me, you would never ask me to transgress. If you understood the gospel, you couldn’t!’ … In the universal battle for human souls, the adversary takes enormous numbers of prisoners… . Every soul confined in a concentration camp of sin and guilt has a key to the gate. The key is labeled Repentance… . The world being what it is, if you have already made a mistake, it can certainly be understood. It cannot, under the law, be condoned, but it can be understood. You must stop conduct that is immoral. You must stop it now! I know of no sin connected with transgression of the moral law which cannot be forgiven, assuming, of course, full and complete repentance.” (Boyd K. Packer, BYU Fireside, Mar. 29, 1992)
“Every soul is entitled to the right to come into this world in a legitimate way—in the way the Father has willed that souls should come. Whosoever takes a course contrary to this is guilty of an almost irreparable crime. Is there any wonder, then, that the Lord places the violation of this covenant of marriage and the loss of virtue as second only to the shedding of innocent blood?” (Joseph F. Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:92-93)
“One may bathe hourly, perfume oneself often, have hair shampooed frequently, have fingernails manicured daily, and be a master at soft-spoken utterances, and still be as filthy as hell’s cesspools. What defiles is sin, and especially sexual sin… . This area of conduct presents a tremendous temptation, especially to the youth of this age of loose talk and loose action on college campuses and elsewhere which favor premarital sex and experience.” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 62-63)
“Clearly God’s greatest concern regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it… . As for the taking of life, we are generally quite responsible. Most people, it seems to me, readily sense the sanctity of life and as a rule do not run up to friends, put a loaded revolver to their heads, and cavalierly pull the trigger. Furthermore, when there is a click of the hammer rather than an explosion of lead, and a possible tragedy seems to have been averted, no one in such a circumstance would be so stupid as to sigh, ‘Oh, good. I didn’t go all the way’… . But in the significance and sanctity of giving life, some of us are not so responsible, and in the larger world swirling around us we find near-criminal irresponsibility.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, On Earth As It Is in Heaven, pp. 182-191)
“A quarter of a century ago historian John Lukacs perceptively warned that sexual immorality was not merely a marginal development but, instead, was at the center of the moral crisis of our time. Some thought Lukacs was overstating it, but consider the subsequent and sobering tragedy of children having children, of unwed mothers, of children without parents, of hundreds of thousands of fatherless children, and of rampant spousal infidelity. These and related consequences threaten to abort society’s future even before the future arrives! Yet carnalists are unwilling to deny themselves, even though all of society suffers from an awful avalanche of consequences!” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1995, p. 67)
“Whenever you step over the line in an immoral act or in doing any other evil thing, the Church is that much weaker… . When you stand true and faithful, it is that much stronger. Each one of you counts… . If any of you has stepped over the line, please do not think all is lost. The Lord reaches out to help you, and there are many willing hands in the Church also who will help. Put evil behind you. Pray about the situation, talk with your parents if you can, and talk with your bishop. You will find that he will listen and do so with confidentiality… . There is hope for you. Your lives are ahead, and they can be filled with happiness, even though the past may have been marred by sin… . This is the time, this is the very hour, to repent of any evil in the past, to ask for forgiveness, to stand a little taller and then to go forward with confidence and faith.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1996, p. 94)