Immorality

Take away regard for the seventh commandment, and behold the current celebration of sex, the secular religion with its own liturgy of lust and supporting music. Its theology focuses on "self." Its hereafter is "now." Its chief ritual is "sensation"-though, ironically, it finally desensitizes its obsessed adherents, who become "past feeling." (Eph. 4:19; Moro. 9:20.) (Ensign, November 1990, pp. 15-16.)

There is a last irony-but only for those who need it: The great apostle of love, John, reminded us that this world will pass away "and the lust thereof." (See 1 Jn. 2:17.) This means, quite frankly, that not only can lust ruin this life, but it is also a pandering to an appetite that will have no existence at all in the next world! (Notwithstanding My Weakness, p. 100.)

We must not be intimidated or lose our composure even though the once morally unacceptable is becoming acceptable, as if frequency somehow conferred respectability! One of the most subtle forms of intimidation is the gradual normalization of aberration! (Ensign, May 1993, p. 76.)

When one seeks to be prescriptive with regard to [the seventh commandment], society is not interested. They react as if we are offering them unlimited access to root canals. Remedy would require significant cessation of fornication and adultery with all the resultant illegitimacy, The notion that private immorality is somehow acceptable rests on the notion that certain behavior is "safe" because it is confined. Just as there can be no private smallpox or cholera, at least one other individual is usually affected by our sin, and usually more, whether immediately or eventually. (Sermons Not Spoken, p. 62.)

Strip-mining scars the landscape, causes floods, and leaves an economic emptiness which haunts the coming generations. Similarly, unchastity leaves terrible scars, brings floods of tears and anguish, and leaves a moral emptiness. Significantly, both strip-mining and unchastity rest on a life-style which partakes of an "eat, drink, and be merry" philosophy-gouge and grab now without regard to the consequences! Both strip-mining and unchastity violate the spirit of stewardship over our planet and our person. ("For the Power Is in Them … " Mormon Musings, p. 2.)




(Cory H. Maxwell, ed., The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 169.)