Ballard - Purity Precedes Power - October 1990

Elder Ballard speaks to the young men of the church about being morally clean.  This topic has been on the minds of the leaders of the church and Elder Ballard shares his thoughts about the topic.

• The leaders of the Church care so deeply about every one of you that I feel an urgent need to warn you once again of the consequences of moral misconduct. At the same time, I want to impress upon you the great promises extended to those who remain morally clean.

Each young man can look to the future with confidence that he has the strength to overcome the temptations of this world if he will stay close to the Savior and His teachings.

• We have confidence that you can develop the strength and integrity to surmount these challenges and live for the blessings that are promised to those who remain morally clean.
• I emphasize that you do not need to be caught in the trap of being immoral—not one of you, ever. Each one of you must look into the future to understand the consequences of your actions, both good and bad.

Repentance should not be a planned event.  It should not be something that is taken lightheartedly.

• Recently I talked with several groups of young men and women in Utah and Idaho. They told me that some of our youth feel that they can be immoral during their teen years and then repent when they decide to go on a mission or be married in the temple. Some young men talk about a mission as a time when they will be forgiven from their past sins. They have the notion that a few transgressions now are no big deal because they can repent quickly, go on a mission, and then live happily ever after.
• Young men, please believe me when I tell you that this scenario is a gross deception by Satan; it is a fairy tale. Sin will always, always, result in suffering. It may come sooner, or it may come later, but it will come. The scriptures state that you will “stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God” and that you will experience “a lively sense of … guilt, and pain, and anguish.”

Sometimes we do things in our life because of our friends.  Elder Ballard warns against following our friends down the wrong path.

• Acceptance by your peers must not come at the expense of your virtue and self-esteem.

Elder Ballard tells us the blessings that come from being morally clean throughout out lives.

• Now, let us consider the grand blessings the Lord has promised those who are obedient to the commandment to be morally clean. You never need to repent of a sin you have not committed. That seems obvious, but I want to emphasize it. Repentance is a great blessing, but you should never make yourself sick just so you can try out the remedy. You are infinitely better to maintain your spiritual health by staying morally clean. If you feel confident in the presence of your parents, peers, and priesthood leaders, you can sense how you will feel when you have the confidence and acceptance of the Savior.

Elder Ballard gives us suggestions on staying morally clean.

• First, understand the standards of moral cleanliness.
  
  • Our youth seem confused about the definition of moral cleanliness. Some young men and women take a certain definition and then push it to its limits to see how far they can go without being immoral by that definition. I suggest an opposite approach.
  • Some standards must not be compromised. If you are not sure about the Church’s standard of morality, talk to your parents or to your priesthood leaders. Also, you can know the correct standards of moral conduct by following the promptings of the Spirit. These promptings never will lead you to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, unclean, or ashamed. You must be sensitive to these promptings because your physical passions can obscure them if you are not careful.
    
• Second, once you understand the standards, you must determine that you will live by them.
  • You must avoid moral misconduct by making a firm decision to avoid compromising situations and to stand firm for what is right. You must have self-control and high goals. I urge every one of you tonight to set a goal to be morally clean, if you have not already done so.
    
• Third, while you must exercise your agency and bear the responsibility for your decisions, you need not face temptation alone.
  • Also seek counsel from your priesthood leaders, especially your bishop. He knows the standards, and he knows what to teach you. Seek opportunities to be with him. You can expect him to ask pointed, searching questions. Trust him. Confide in him. Ask him to help you understand what the Lord expects from you. Make a commitment to live according to the Church’s standards of morality. A meaningful relationship with an adult leader is vital to help you keep morally clean and worthy. Your Aaronic Priesthood advisers will teach you and give you the support and direction you may need. Ask them for guidance. They will know how to help you.
    
• Fourth, choose friends who share your standards, both members and nonmembers.
  
  • Such friends will make peer pressure uplifting and positive.
    
• Fifth, you young men must cultivate a considerate attitude toward women of all ages.
  
  • Do not hesitate to show your good manners by opening a door for them, taking the initiative in inviting them on a date, and standing as they enter a room. Believe it or not, in this age of equal rights, the young women want you to extend these simple courtesies.
• Finally, seek help from the Lord, the source of spiritual power.
  • Your daily prayers must include a heartfelt request for help in keeping your commitment to remain morally clean. When you do this, the Lord will bless you with the strength to remain morally clean.
    

Elder Ballard gives each of us great advice on staying morally clean.  We may think that the temptations are too great, but with the strength of the Savior on our side, we have the ability to overcome any temptation that comes to us.  We are blessed to have guidance on how to make the right decisions in our lives that will be bring us closer to the Savior.  Morality is necessary for the Holy Ghost to be our companion.