Leviticus 17-18
Leviticus 17:1-7
Why did the Israelites have to slay all domestic animals, even those
intended only for food, at the tabernacle altar?
“That no blood should be offered to idols, God commanded every animal
used for food or sacrifice to be slain at the door of the tabernacle.
I Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
of God.
Colossians 3:17
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Leviticus 17:7
“After whom they have gone a whoring”
Don’t be unfaithful to your spouse!
Jehovah was the husband
Israel was the wife
The concept that Israel went “a whoring” after false gods was a
common one in the scriptures and continued the metaphor that
Jehovah was the husband to whom Israel was married.
When Israel looked to false gods, she was unfaithful to the
marriage relationship and thus was playing the part of a
prostitute, or harlot.
In New Testament times, the same figurative imagery
was used when the church of Jesus Christ was
depicted as the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2;
Revelation 19:7-8; 21:2, 9).
Leviticus 18
“Purity in all sexual relationships!”
Leviticus 18:2-5
The prohibition of incest and similar sensual
abominations.
Leviticus 18:6
“Uncover their nakedness”
A Hebrew euphemism for sexual intercourse, and thus all kinds
of incestuous relationships were forbidden including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
with a mother
with a step-mother
with a sister or half sister
with a granddaughter
the daughter of either son or daughter
with an aunt, the sister of either father or mother
with the wife of an uncle on the father’s side
with a daughter-in-law
with a sister-in-law, or brother’s wife
with a woman and her daughter, or a woman and her
grand-daughter
11. with two sisters at the same time
(Keil and Delitzsdh, Commentary, 1:2:412)
Leviticus 18:21
“pass through the fire to Molech”
This was the first time this idol is mentioned. Molech
signified king or governor. It was likely that this idol
represented the sun.
There are several opinions concerning it’s meaning:
1. Human semen was offered on the fire to the idol.
2. Children were made burnt-offerings to him.
3. Children passed through the fire or fires with
some being burned alive to the idol.
Leviticus 18:22
“homosexuality”
Leviticus 18:23
“bestiality”
These very abominations of the Canaanites caused them to be
cast out of the promised land Israel was about to inherit.
What specifics has God given today in terms of remaining
morally clean?
Alma 39:5
“Top three sins in order”
1. Denying the Holy Ghost
2. Murder
3. Sexual sin (it is not in very good company)
What can you do as a couple and still be clean?
How far is to far?
What will you teach your children about staying
morally clean?
What about “French kissing?”
What did President Kimball say about French kissing?
“Chain-saw hands”
What are you doing now that works for you?
Does anything go in marriage? Alma 18:17
Whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.
What has the Lord said relative to morality?
Moroni 9:9
Jacob 2:28
D&C 59:6
Sexual Purity
“The sacred powers of procreation are to be between man and
woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife” (The Family: A
Proclamation to the World).
(For the Strength of the Youth, 26-27)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Do not have any sexual relations before marriage.
Do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be
expressed only in marriage.
Do not participate in passionate kissing.
Don’t lie on top of another person.
Don’t touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or
without clothing.
Do not allow anyone to do that with you.
Do not arouse those emotions in your own body.
Don’t participate in talk or activities that arouse sexual feelings.
We often ignore page 28 in “For the Strength of the
Youth:”
Homosexual activity is a serious sin. If you find
yourself struggling with same-gender attraction, seek
counsel from your parents and bishop. They will help
you.
Victims of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse are not
guilty of sin. If you have been a victim of any of
these crimes, know that you are innocent and that
God loves you. Seek your Bishop’s counsel
immediately so he can help guide you through the
process of emotional healing.
If you are tempted to commit sexual transgressions,
seek help from your parents, your bishop, and friends
you can trust. Pray to the Lord, who will help you
resist temptation and overcome appropriate thoughts
and feelings.
If you have committed sexual transgressions, begin
the process of repentance now so you can find inner
peace and have the full companionship of the Spirit.
Seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Talk with your bishop.
He will help you obtain the forgiveness available to
those who truly repent.
Genesis 39:1-12, D&C 38:42
The Constitution of the High Council
What Repentant Sinners Must confess to Church Leaders.
President Marion G. Romney stated that we need only to
confess those sins to our Church leaders that may affect our
standing in the Church.
He explained:
Where one’s transgressions are of such a nature as would, unrepented of, put in jeopardy his right to membership or
fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ, full and effective
confession would, in my judgment, require confession by the
repentant sinner to his bishop or other proper presiding Church
officer – not that the Church officer could forgive the sin (this
power rests in the Lord himself and those only to whom he
specifically delegates it) but rather that the Church, acting
through its duly appointed officers, might with full knowledge
of the facts take such action with respect to Church discipline
as the circumstances merit.
President Brigham Young stated:
I believe in coming out and being plain and honest,
with that which should be made public, and in keeping
to yourselves that which should be kept… If you have
sinned against the people, confess to them. If you
have sinned against a family or a neighborhood, go to
them and confess. If you have sinned against your
Ward, confess to your Ward. If you have sinned
against one individual, take that person by yourselves
and make your confession to him. And if you have
sinned against your God, or against yourselves,
confess to God, and keep the matter to yourselves, for
I do not want to know anything about it…
For the sins you commit against yourselves and your
God, unless repented of and forgiven, the Lord will
hold his private council and judge you according to
the degree of guilt that is upon you; and if you sin
against others, he will make that public, and you will
have to hear it…
Keep you follies that do not concern others to
yourselves, and keep your private wickedness as still
as possible…
We wish to see people honestly confess as they
should and what they should (JD 8:362).
Joseph Smith declared that Church councils or courts
were to be conducted according to an ancient pattern
which had been “shown to him by vision.”
“Jerusalem was the seat of the Church Council in
ancient days,” said the Prophet, “the apostle, Peter,
was the president of the council and held the keys of
the Kingdom of God on earth.” To clarify the matter of
guilt, the Prophet added;
It was not the order of heaven in ancient councils to
pled for and against the guilty as in our judicial courts
(so called) but that every counselor when he arose to
speak, should speak precisely according to evidence
and according to the teaching of the Spirit of the Lord,
that no counselor should attempt to screen the guilty
when his guilt was manifest (Kirtland Council Minute
Book, 30).
If the member in question holds the
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Stake
President must determine whether
the bishopric or the Stake Presidency
will proceed with the disciplinary
council.
In general, the Bishopric will proceed,
unless excommunication appears to
be a likely decision.
Doctrine and Covenants 102:2
“Why Church Discipline?”
1. To preserve the good name of the Church.
2. To help the sinner repent so that they can
continue to progress.
3. To restore blessings!
Grounds for Church Discipline:
A. Deliberate disobedience to the rule of the Church.
B. Moral transgressions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Murder
Adultery
Fornication
Homosexuality
Incest
Child molestation
Plural Marriage
Embezzling of church funds
Cruelty to spouse or children
Not Grounds:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Inactivity
Membership in another Church.
Name removed from church records.
Breaking the Word of Wisdom
Types of Courts
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bishops
High Council
First Presidency
Twelve Apostles
Types of Decisions
1.
2.
3.
4.
No action
Formal probation
Dis-fellowship
Excommunication