Bednars caution BYU-Idaho students against moral sins

Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Susan, spoke at the first devotional of the semester, last Tuesday. The Bednars spoke about moral purity. Sean Miller / Scroll

The Bednars spoke at the pulpit together in a team approach in discussing moral purity. They emphasized the teachings of several latter-day prophets and apostles. They first quoted President Ezra Taft Benson, who said, “The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality.”

They then elaborated on the importance of moral purity.

“How we feel about and use that sacred power in this life, in large measure, will determine whether additional creative power will be ours in the life to come,” Elder Bednar said.

“That power is good and is only to be used within the sacred bonds of marriage,” President Boyd K. Packer said.

Because moral purity is vital, the Lord’s servants frequently and consistently warn about the misuse of sacred creative powers, the Bednars said.

In addition to emphasizing the importance of moral purity, the Bednars outlined some of the blessings derived from it.

They showed a video segment of President Ezra Taft Benson, who taught that “when we obey the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will experience the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect for our marital partners, deeper commitment to each other, and, therefore, a deep and significant sense of joy and happiness.”

Finally, the Bednars taught that guilt is to our spirit what pain is to our body – a warning of danger and a protection from additional damage. In cases of moral transgression, salve can only be applied through the principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and consistent obedience.

The Bednars closed by expressing their love and sharing counsel that President Hinckley gave when he was on campus for the dedication of the Hinckley building Oct. 22.

“Don’t ever do a cheap or a tawdry or a mean or evil thing, my dear young friends,” President Hinckley said. “You don’t have to engage in these things. ... Do not become involved in any kind of behavior which would destroy you, injure you, hurt you, debilitate you in any way whatever. ... Educate your minds and your spirits, and never lose sight of the fact that you are a child of God with a divine destiny and capability of doing great and good and wonderful things. ... You know who you are. Each of you knows that you are a child of God and that your Heavenly Father expects something great and noble and good of you.”