I
was asked by someone who also teaches priests about the lesson to the priests on sex I mentioned on this blog. Here is a brief summary of
what was covered:
When Adam was alone it was "not good" in God's view. (Gen. 2: 18)
The story of Eve's creation is allegorical, not actual. The allegory
says she was made "from a rib" taken "from Adam's side."
(Gen. 2: 21-23) This is not intended as an actual explanation of her
creation, but instead as a description of the way she is to be
regarded. Part of him. Taken from his side, making her his intimately
connected associate in whom he should recognize companionship runs
within himself. Her presence is intended to satisfy what was before
"not good" about Adam's condition. She is literally not only a part of
him, but also completes him. This completion is the "image of God"
because God is both a Father and a Mother. (Gen. 1: 27.) Among mankind, when you see the "image of God" you will always see a couple who are as one. (1 Cor. 11: 11.) [As an aside, I would add this is why
there were two angels upon the Mercy Seat. Ex. 25: 22. He would not
permit them to behold His image without seeing what is also symbolized
in Adam and Eve.]
The purpose of the creation of the two was that they may "become one" or unified. (Gen. 2: 24)
The first commandment given after the two are joined by God was to "be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1: 27-28).
When they were expelled from the Garden, Adam "knew his wife" which is a
euphemism. The word "know" or "knew" is a reference made throughout
the Old and New Testaments to sexual intercourse. As a consequence of
this Eve became pregnant. (Gen. 4: 1)
This is fulfilling the commandment to "be fruitful," and is the way intended for new human life to be brought into the world. When joined by God (temple marriage) and then used to produce a family,
the union of the man and woman is pleasing to God. It is order. It is
harmony. It produces life, peace and "fulfills the measure of creation"
which "brings joy." Unfortunately, when it is employed in other ways,
it produces pain, misery and sometimes catastrophic results.
Keeping the power of procreation inside the bounds which produce joy was included in the 10 commandments. (Ex. 20: 14, 17)
David was a man after God's own heart. As a youth, he had such faith to
follow God that although still a lad he was able, with God's help, to slay Goliath. (1 Sam. 17: 34-37; 45-46.) He was so
favored by God, that God made him His son, established his throne, and
promised him He would watch over him. (2 Sam. 7: 14-16)
But David committed adultery. (2 Sam. 11: 2-5) To conceal the sin, he
committed murder. (2 Sam 11: 14-15) As a result of these sins, he fell
from his exaltation. (D&C 132: 39) The result was that a man "after
the Lord's own heart" lost everything because the power of procreation
was not used in the way to produce joy, but instead used to
gratify lust.
When the solution to an unwanted pregnancy is abortion, then the person
has elected, like David, to do something akin to murder. This is
forbidden. (D&C 59: 6)
Adultery and lust leading to adultery deprive us of the Spirit. (D&C 42: 22-24)
The purpose of sexual relations is to have joy. To bring you children. To put those children into a setting where they are loved by both a
father and a mother. When it is used in any other way, it produces
misery. Almost all crime in the United States is related directly or
indirectly to violating this commandment. Even what seems to be
unrelated crime often occurs because the person involved was not raised
in a home environment where they had a father and mother.
It is a right of every child to come into a family where they have
the benefit of the family as established by God. The father and mother
are literally symbols of God. They are in His image and likeness. When
the image is imprinted upon the child in their early years and
innocence, they develop a stability and foundation that is their right
as an inheritance from God. Conforming to God's pattern is intended as a gift from Him to every child.
I then took a few moments to speak about individual fathers of the
respective young men, including one whose father has passed away. The deceased father was a great man, whose influence is still felt by
his son. I expressed my genuine affection for his father, who, although
now no longer among us, left a great influence on others
in addition to his son. I challenged all of the young priests to become
fathers who will bring their children into an environment where they will look with gratitude and affection upon them as fathers.