Let Your Light So Shine

What a trip to look back at my last two posts--and realize they were written three years ago! Two houses, one baby, and a whole lot of other experiences later, I'm back to my blog. I didn't think there was value in it because I wasn't actively trying to share my posts, but as a journal, I love it now. So I'm picking it back up.

I felt strongly about what I'm about to write, and although I do feel it needs to be shared, I don't know that this post will be the way it gets shared. I just want to record the thoughts so I can share it as and however opportunities arise.

The lesson today for Young Women was on virtue. The question was asked, what is virtue, and the class fell silent. To be honest, I wasn't sure I could put it into words either. I thought of intrinsic value, but didn't like how that would tie the phrase "losing your virtue" to "losing your worth" because I don't think those two should be related as such. So I looked it up in the guide to the scriptures, and the definition was "Integrity and moral excellence, power and strength, or sexual purity." The definition, "power and strength" caught my attention, and turned my thoughts to the story of Christ and the woman who touched the hem of his garments and was healed. Christ responded that he had felt virtue leave Him. I knew that had to be a reference to His spiritual power which was able to heal the woman just by her touching the hem of his garments. And what made Christ powerful? His integrity and moral excellence, his virtue.

I felt strongly that I wanted the girls in the class to understand that guarding one's virtue gives you power. I could see it so clearly--power to control your own life, to make your own decisions, to not get into an unhealthy or unhappy relationship, to not get tied down to raising children while you are still a child yourself. Then we read a talk by Quentin L Cook called "Can Ye Feel So Now," in which he describes his conversation with a young man about the prevalence of pornography. The young man made a valid point that many things we learn in church receive at least some facet of a second witness in the world--drinking, smoking, drug use are pretty commonly seen to be unhealthy and discouraged habits. But when it comes to sexual purity and pornography, the world doesn't second the standards taught in church. I would actually say that the world goes to extremes in teaching the exact opposite. It's natural, everyone does it, the only concern is that it be consensual and use protection.

The thought came to my mind (because twice now I have heard the girls say that this is the topic no one wants to talk about) that we need to stop feeling uncomfortable with this topic. The world is trying to make it less taboo, but is doing so by saying it's no big deal, just go with what feels good. I wanted to say, there are plenty of people talking about it! But they are all saying the wrong message, and the people that have truth to speak are keeping quiet because it's uncomfortable or awkward!

When Adam and Eve first partook of the fruit, Satan told them to hide and to cover themselves. Satan works in darkness and secrecy. The Lord teaches us to "let your light so shine." I believe that the more this topic is brought to light, meaning the more truth is shared about sex, the more comfortable people are talking about the dangers of pornography, the reality of pornography addiction, the ways it messes up relationships, etc, the less influence Satan will have over the use of procreative powers.

I wondered how many friends of these girls are succumbing to the lie that "everyone does it" and "it's impossible to wait until marriage," and are assuming that everyone around them is also having secret relationships. They need to hear the truth that these girls have. They need to know that they are not alone in wanting to save sex for marriage.

In the same regard, we need to shine light on our own weaknesses and temptations. We need to call pornography what it is when it comes up in movies and shows, and not leave place for it. Let light in to push out the darkness or secrets we may be holding onto because we may not believe that the Atonement can give us power over our sins. Our Bishop reminded us today that we came to the earth, not to avoid sin but to overcome it. It was right in the plan that we would sin, and because of that, the Atonement was prepared and the Savior chosen before we even came to earth to give us repentance and forgiveness.

I've worried as a mom of three boys, many times, how will I protect them from this world? Pornography is right in people's pockets on their phones. One girl in class today said the boy next to her at school was pulling up pornographic pictures on snapchat on a school computer! As much as I want to hide them, I feel strongly today is to look things right in the face and shed light so Satan has no more power over it. To be virtuous, meaning to be powerful by sharing light and truth and not be afraid to talk about "uncomfortable things."