Chapter 18

Principles of Zion, Part XVIII

Being Morally Clean, A Pure Heart, Righteousness, Obedience

Defense wins championships in the fight against sin. Protect your home against the forces
of evil.

The popular culture is tone deaf to the beautiful music that comes from heaven.

Disobedience throws us off our game. We lose momentum in our faith and the sacred
work of the priesthood is left undone (JRE Link, 2018-0409 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Disobedience creates a drain on the Spirit. Lust is the death queen.

Don't let the immorality of this world consume you or you will lust in hell.

Don't live in swill.

Are you a man of God or an addict?

A lustful movie. A lustful image. Filter the Internet and shun those things.

A pornography habit is very much like a chain-smoking habit. And remember, there is no
smoking in hell.

Pornography brings sadness and shame into all of your waking hours. You'll become
engulfed in a sunful world where the sweetness and beauty of romance is lost to you.

Clean passion (JRE Link, 2023-0326 (Sun), WSE-MAIN).

Don't let love making become a tearful tragedy in your life. Obey the commandments and
be faithful to your spouse.

Adultery leads to a constant state of worry. The loud cry of repentance will sound
continuously in your ears (JRE Link, 2019-0214 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Adultery! Adultery! A double tragedy. The souls of both parties involved are filled with
wickedness (JRE Link, 2021-0808 (Sun), COM-STR2).

A farewell to arms––leaving the loving arms of one's lawfully wedded wife, of one's
eternal companion, for an adulterous affair (JRE Link, 2019-0802 (Fri), COM-STR2).

A foreign kiss—committing adultery on a business trip.

Don't carry away your kiss to someone else (JRE Link, 2019-1126 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Let your young children run and play every day without the fear of being part of a broken
home.

Broken families that come through infidelity—what a sad state of affairs for the spouse
and children who have to pick up the pieces after divorce.

Blatant, habitual unfaithfulness—or habitual immorality of any kind—will crash virtually
every marriage.

Imagine a scene where the Savior is entering the temple and closing the door behind Him
such that you can no longer enter in because of unworthiness... a foreshadowing of the sorrow
you may feel in the eternal world upon realizing that precious blessings have been lost.

Unfaithful thoughts and tendencies can be painful to your spouse. They may be noticed
without you realizing, and they do hurt. If they are repeated, the hurt will be deeper and
undermine trust, perhaps beyond repair.

Extended glances, careless choice of words, jokes made, gleeful stories about prior
relationships or marriages, keeping pictures of old boyfriends/girlfriends around—all of these
things can be hurtful. So, please be sensitive to your spouse's feelings.

On the other side of things—be strong and don't let feelings of jealousy consume you. Be
Savior-like and let your spouse know when accidental mistakes are made that cause you pain.
Don't hide those hurtful feelings inside and allow them to grow.

Jealousy can do great damage all by itself, even if only small things have happened. What
is imagined may be far more than what is real. Satan can use jealousy to take your heart on a
miserable ride, and even cause you to become unfaithful yourself as a result.

Don't allow a wicked spouse to drive you away from God and into apostasy. Set the
dividing line for him or her clearly and immediately, allow multiple opportunities to repent—
unless the sin is serious and requires immediate action—and then be decisive. You're no good as
an example to your children, and to the countless other family members, friends, and ward
members aound you if you fall from grace and become lost in the world.

Heavenly Father, help me to not be jealous.

Don't live in a world of jealousy. Discover a wonderful new world and an exciting future
for yourself.

Don't lust. It's the thought that counts.

Lust destroyed King David's life and his salvation, and brought tragedy to the lives of
others.

One evil thought is one too many.

God judges thoughts. So, keep your thoughts clean.

As you think, so you are. As you think, so you do (JRE Link, 2017-1217 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Cleanse your heart of all lusts (JRE Link, 2019-0910 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

Become stronger and stronger in moral cleanliness (JRE Link, 2019-0910 (Tue), COM-STR2).

The important goal of the priesthood body in wards and stakes is this—that all men and
boys of the Church be morally clean from this day forward (JRE Link, 2021-0718 (Sun), COM-STR2).

A morally clean priesthood holder is a standard of righteousness for all to see—family,
friends, coworkers, members of his ward and stake. The impact is far-reaching, leading others to
the same high level of obedience.

Be morally clean forever (JRE Link, 2018-0129 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Being morally clean is an end in itself, bringing peace and joy.

Be perfect in your obedience to the law of chastity (JRE Link, 2019-0505 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Premarital sex brings tears. Recovery from the mistake is often so sad that whole lives
can be changed for years to come.

Intimacies are wonderful and beautiful in marriage, but a cause of heartbreak when done
outside of marriage.

Make love safely within the boundaries established by the Spirit. You'll find all of the
romance and joy you can imagine. A billion incredible fantasies are there for you.

Don't let love become dangerous, bringing infectious diseases and misery into your life.

Premarital sex and infidelity—they are very, very risky. So, don't take the chance of
becoming infected. The embarrassment and sadness will be awful.

AIDS, herpes, and syphilis are very good reasons why you need to be morally clean.

"We have no such diseases," say the obedient members of the Church, "and we're happy
we chose this path in life."

Sexually transmitted diseases should be a constant fear in your mind in every encounter
you pursue outside the safety net of marriage.

And then what do you do? Pass the disease over to your spouse?

Protective devices are never full proof. So, don't engage in illicit sexual relations at all.

The story of hell needs to be told. What else will make men and women repent?

They look upon immorality as just pleasure, not sin.

Men and women of good character will see what they have done wrong and mend their
ways.

The sharpness of a troubled Spirit of God lashes out at all sinful activity. Mercy is there,
but only as men change their attitudes. Too many men are frosty and cold-hearted.

The pains of immorality can penetrate one's soul and the souls of all those around you
who love you.

The lusts of Satan will slow down spiritual growth in your life, or may end it altogether.

Strive to have purity of thoughts and desires in your heart such that you are beyond lust,
beyond the reach of the tempter's power (JRE Link, 2021-0731 (Sat), COM-STR2).

As temptations of immorality come upon you, immediately ask the Spirit to protect you
and to help chase them away. Speed in your response to each and every temptation is key (JRE Link, 2021-0828 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Be quick to control your thoughts. Your mind's rapid reaction force—of inner strength,
mental discipline, faith in God, long suffering, etc.—is standing by, ready to be deployed.

Stop those evil lusts cold or they will grow stronger and overtake you.

"Quash all of these sinful impulses and give me righteous desires only," says the man of
God to the Spirit.

Walk in perfect harmony with the Spirit. Be sanctified before God (JRE Link, 2018-0824 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Be pure in soul. Be pure in heart.

Purity of soul is the ultimate you (JRE Link, 2018-1205 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

Righteousness shines forth before the world. Purity of soul is glorious (JRE Link, 2018-0928 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Be one in purpose and one in mind with the Lord, having similar desires (JRE Link, 2017-0615 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Being good is a state of mind. Feel good and happy in righteous living.

A medley of good thoughts leads to a medley of good works (JRE Link, 2017-0904 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Humble yourself before the will of God, and He will lead you free of your bad habits (JRE Link, 2017-0620 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Don't keep learning the same old lesson every day. Break free of addiction. Break free of
bad habits.

Don't lose the Spirit through alcoholism, drug abuse, or other addictions.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is not a means to happiness. It leads you away from
sobriety. It leads you away from righteousness.

The Word of Wisdom—Yes. Beer, liquor, tobacco, coffee, and tea—No (JRE Link, 2021-0619 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Whiskey is risky. Better not to develop a taste for liquors or any alcoholic drink (JRE Link, 2021-0711 (Sun), WSE-MAIN).

I'll never take a drop of whiskey or any kind of alcoholic beverage.

Firsthand smoke and secondhand smoke—both are bad. Now you know. The Word of
Wisdom, revealed in 1833, has been an obvious sign to the world of Joseph Smith's testimony.

The high of drugs leads to the lowest of lows. The same is true of sin (JRE Link, 2017-1016 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Use the power of God to improve yourself. The winners in life are those who are
constantly improving.

Continuously improving together as a couple––a winning marriage strategy.

Let the Holy Spirit supervise your daily activities. Be accountable to the Lord in all your
decisions (JRE Link, 2017-0518 (Thu), COM-STR2).

You're inspired by the words of God. Now, obey them (JRE Link, 2017-1014 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

Obey the commandments of He who loves you (JRE Link, 2019-0206 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

Obey my commandments, and I'll happy you.

Return to obedience. It's the best way to live (JRE Link, 2017-0629 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

You know the rules. Obey the commandments.

The one test of magnificence––obedience to God (JRE Link, 2018-0314 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Obedience––full compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel (JRE Link, 2017-0420 (Thu), COM-STR2).

The book of acts––following Jesus Christ and being saved requires both faith and works.
Obeying the commandments of God is not optional for salvation. Paul's great works preaching
the gospel after his conversion were instrumental in the salvation of many souls, including his
own (JRE Link, 2018-0319 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

Salvation must be earned through obedience. There are no shortcuts (JRE Link, 2017-0526 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

One life to live––an obedient life (JRE Link, 2017-0911 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Your obedience to the commandments is improving every day. You're chosener (JRE Link, 2018-0606 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

I'm happy in truth. I'm happy in obedience (JRE Link, 2018-0623 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

It's nice to be happy. Obedience is like that (JRE Link, 2018-0717 (Tue), WSE-MAIN).

Obedience to God brings about a feel-good story in your life that you can share with
others (JRE Link, 2022-1222 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Say cheese! The untold blessings of obedience to God will make you smile (JRE Link, 2017-0306 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Obedience makes you cheerful and energetic.

The best type of self-esteem comes from God. Believe in God, and believe in yourself (JRE Link, 2017-0921 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Have a warmness and consistency in your relationship with God (JRE Link, 2017-0706 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Walk in the spiritual realm with God, following His counsel (JRE Link, 2019-0323 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

A righteous Aaronic Priesthood holder says these words—It is my duty, and my honor, to
obey God.

I choose to love and obey God with all my heart––the words spoken by one who has
reached the pinnacle of free agency (JRE Link, 2017-0922 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Kingdoms and thrones don't matter. Choices you make in life matter.

Your life choices have consequences in the lives of others, and most especially in the
lives of your children (JRE Link, 2018-0331 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The blessings of the gospel are choice. The blessings are ours if we choose.

The cup of Christ is there before you. Choose wisely (JRE Link, 2017-0916 (Sat), COM-STR2).

I'm going to give this choice to men––good and evil. Choose between them (JRE Link, 2018-0606 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Choice vs. destiny. What is your eternal destiny? What course in life will you choose?

Righteousness is a choice (JRE Link, 2021-0814 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

Be thou what thou may through righteous choices (JRE Link, 2019-0108 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Turn towards the good, and your life is set. You will discover the blessings that are in
store for you (JRE Link, 2017-0923 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Have a righteous foundation, and your faith will be strong.

Be like Seth today, and be like Seth tomorrow, never changing, and always faithful.

Continue in righteousness (JRE Link, 2017-0308 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

I'm hearing all kinds of good things about righteousness. It's as good as they say it is.

Don't struggle to become righteous. Just be righteous in the first place (JRE Link, 2018-0109 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Impress the Spirit with your righteousness (JRE Link, 2018-0105 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

The righteous part of me has unlimited potential (JRE Link, 2017-1122 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Righteousness and free agency go together.

So much righteousness in your life. So much joy of the Spirit to look forward to (JRE Link, 2019-0723 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Righteousness gives you a reservoir of spiritual strength to draw from in times of trial,
and an Ammon-like excitement for life that overwhelms you in times of prosperity (JRE Link, 2022-0923 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Being righteous means that you strive every day to be perfect (JRE Link, 2017-0821 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Being righteous is a full-time job and your main profession in life (JRE Link, 2017-1026 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Try to make each day special—new revelation of God received, a strengthening of your
testimony, and an increase in your personal righteousness (JRE Link, 2022-0924 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Is it possible to be righteous if my friends or family are not righteous? "Yes!" says the
young man of God. He then moves forward in life like Nephi, leading those around him by his
good example.

Righteousness follows light and truth, shunning evil.

Righteousness has all the advantages in life. A righteous man has the powers of heaven
behind him.

Armed with the Spirit of God, you will be unstoppable.