DeepShadow
White Crow
In another thread I brought up a study of abstinence among religious teens that rated LDS teens at a 90% abstinence rate. The question was raised as to what Latter-Day Saints taught that was so much more effective than typical abstinence programs. I'm still not sure what the big difference is, so I'm posting an excerpt from one of our youth study manuals for analysis and comparison.
Chastity
36863, True to the Faith, Chastity, 29
Keeping the Law of Chastity
No matter how strong temptations seem, the Lord will help you withstand them if you choose to follow Him. The Apostle Paul declared, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). The following counsel can help you overcome the frequent and blatant temptations in the world today:
Decide now to be chaste. You need to make this decision only once. Make the decision now, before the temptation comes, and let your decision be so firm and with such deep commitment that it can never be shaken. Determine now that you will never do anything outside of marriage to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not arouse those emotions in another persons body or in your own body. Determine now that you will be completely true to your spouse.
Control your thoughts. No one commits sexual sin in an instant. Immoral acts always begin with impure thoughts. If you allow your thoughts to linger on obscene or immoral things, you have already taken the first step toward immorality. Flee immediately from situations that may lead to sin. Pray for constant strength to resist temptation and control your thoughts. Make this a part of your daily prayers.
Stay away from pornography. Do not view, read, or listen to anything that depicts or describes the human body or sexual conduct in a way that can arouse sexual feelings. Pornographic materials are addictive and destructive. They can rob you of your self-respect and of a sense of the beauties of life. They can tear you down and lead you to evil thoughts and abusive conduct.
If you are single and dating, always treat your date with respect. Never treat him or her as an object to be used for lustful desires. Carefully plan positive and constructive activities so that you and your date are not left alone without anything to do. Stay in areas of safety where you can easily control yourself. Do not participate in conversations or activities that arouse sexual feelings. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie with or on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another persons body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do such things with you.
If you are married, be faithful to your spouse in your thoughts, words, and actions. The Lord has said: Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else. And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out (D&C 42:2223). Never flirt in any way. As much as possible, avoid being alone with anyone of the opposite sex. Ask yourself if your spouse would be pleased if he or she knew of your words or actions. Remember the Apostle Pauls counsel to abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). When you stay away from such circumstances, temptation gets no chance to develop.