Esau’s decision to sell his birthright for a bowl of soup goes down as one of the worst purchases in the history of mankind. Think of all that he gave up … for soup. I mean, at least, get a steak dinner, right? Even had he ordered steak and lobster, it still would have been the worst purchase in the history of mankind. But not only was his selling his birthright the worst purchase in history, it was one of history’s most selfish acts.
You see, Esau’s act didn’t just affect him. For the immediate filling of his stomach, Esau cheated his companion, his children and their children of the Great Abrahamic covenant. To satisfy an appetite, Esau gave away everything. Perhaps the strongest appetite we have, the one that needs to be reigned in and controlled before it controls—is the appetite of sexuality. Like Esau, one cannot violate the Law of Chastity and affect only himself. Like Esau, you may find that the selling of your virtue for immediate gratification is one of the worst purchases you ever made. “We better want the consequences of what we want!” said Elder Neal A. Maxwell.
The hallmark of a good marriage is selflessness. That starts long before the altar. That starts long before the first date with our chosen mate. President David O. McKay said: “Happiness does not begin at the altar; it begins during the period of youth and courtship. These seeds of happiness are sown by your ability to master your driving passion.” I have come to learn that the Law of Chastity is more protective than restrictive. It protects the Celestial relationship. The Law of Chastity requires us to show loyalty before marriage, and then our intimacy within marriage cultivates even deeper loyalty. A couple that adheres to the Law of Chastity will build their love first on friendship and respect; thus, they will be bonded first interpersonally—and then, when the time is right, they will bond sexually as well—and that bond will be deeper if both husband and wife have waited for each other. Too many marriages today fall apart because they only bonded through sex. The Law of Chastity also protects our hearts. When two people who are dating adhere to the Law of Chastity, should they break-up, the hurt will not be as sharp because they have not spent the deepest part of their souls on that relationship. Most of all, the Law of Chastity protects children. It protects them from coming into a family structure that is not as strong or as developed or, even in some cases, as complete as it should be. It protects them from being born to parents who are not yet ready for the responsibilities of parenting. Adherents to the Law of Chastity can also provide their children what they deserve and need most: Parents who love and are committed to each other; parents who love and are committed to the Lord, and parents who love and are committed to their family and parents who are sealed to their children through covenant.
Moreover, it’s not like we’ve been told to never have sex. We’ve just been told “not yet.” The day will come. Waiting, in the meantime, is a sacrifice that shows the love you already have for your eternal companion—to save that special part of yourself for your special someone. That, I believe, is one of the most beautiful expressions of love you can ever give to anyone. Sex, when properly practiced in the bounds the Lord has set, is one of the highest forms of love there is; sex outside of marriage is one of the lowest forms of selfishness. I think one of the best things you can ever do for yourself is make someone earn you. Don’t cheat yourself out of the Great Abrahamic Covenant; don’t cheat yourself out of temple marriage; or to paraphrase Camelot,“Don’t let your passion destroy your dreams.”
