Reflection
The sacred texts offer gentle guidance regarding the sanctity of marriage and the sacred covenant of intimacy within its bounds. They speak of the beauty and purpose of this union, emphasizing it as a divine institution ordained for the procreation and nurturing of children, as well as for the profound and eternal companionship between husband and wife. The scriptures teach that the intimate relationship between a man and a woman is a sacred gift, meant to be cherished and reserved for the covenant of marriage.
Therefore, any expression of intimacy outside of this sacred covenant is understood as contrary to the divine plan. The teachings emphasize the importance of purity and chastity, not as burdens, but as pathways to spiritual growth and to the deeper, more meaningful connections that are fostered within the divinely appointed order of marriage.
Passages
"And I, the Lord God, caused that there should be a deep sleep fall upon Adam; and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto man." — Genesis 2:21-22 (in Pearl of Great Price) · Pearl of Great Price
"Thou shalt not commit adultery." — Exodus 20:14 (in the Ten Commandments, as recorded in Joseph Smith—History) · Pearl of Great Price
"For, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." — Matthew 19:5 (in Joseph Smith—Matthew) · Pearl of Great Price
A Question for You
What does the concept of sacred covenants mean to you in the context of intimate relationships?