So I did another fireside this week. A couple hundred youth and their leaders. I did my standard "God's Glue" presentation. This is where I talk about Satan and sexual relations. Check out these blogs for the details: Satan Exposed and God's Love Chemicals.
I always start with a half dozen quotes from apostles and the First Presidency talking about sexual relations. Quotes like:
“The intimacy of sexual relations is right and divinely approved. There is nothing unholy or degrading about sexuality in itself …” (Intimacy in Marriage, Spencer W. Kimball, Eternal Marriage Student Manual, LDS Church; pg. 139) (This is the manual for the college Religion Courses 234 & 235. This section on Intimacy in Marriage is a must read!!! Go to the manual and find page 139.)These quotes usually "soften hearts" so I can say words like "SEXUAL RELATIONS" while in the Chapel without a lot of resistance from the audience.
“Talk to them plainly about sex and the teaching of the gospel regarding chastity.” M. Russell Ballard, “Like a Flame Unquenchable,” Ensign, May 1999.
I'm afraid the youth will go home and tell their parents what
we talked about and some parents will become so irate
they will bring criminal charges or sue the church!
A Young Woman's President was listening in on our conversation and suggested the Bishop consider introducing the topic on a 5th Sunday combined lesson. They continued the discussion.....
* * *
As I pondered this conversation...
I visualized how this battle between Satan and God may look as it relates to sexual messaging.
IN THIS CORNER
We have the Ward Council- God's Team discussing with the adult leaders of the ward about whether they should take 40 minutes and "talk about sexual relations" to the ward adults so the adults/parents in turn can take maybe 5 minutes and "talk about sexual relations" with their children. Recognizing the importance, they decide in three months they WILL have a 5th Sunday lesson for adults on sexual relations.
IN THIS CORNER
We have the Ward Youth -Watching a Viagra Commercial on public tv,
-Listening to Lady Gaga's new music video ARTPOP on Facebook,
-Checking out nude pictures a buddy sent of his girlfriend on the smart phone,
-Playing #3 of the top 10 video sex games at a friend's house,
etc etc
Maybe this comparison of Facebook pages will help you understand my concern.
(If you don't know who Lady Gaga is, just ask someone in the Teacher's Quorum or Mia Maid Class on Sunday.)
SATAN IS PERCEIVED AS OWNING ALL SEXUAL IP (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY)
IP is a legal concept which refers to creations of the mind for which EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS are recognized to the creator. Common types of intellectual property rights include copyright, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights, trade dress, and in some jurisdictions trade secrets.
Satan and his angels appear to have successfully promoted and protected his/Satan's EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS to "sexual messaging" - including in movies, music, radios, video games, relationships, church discussions, etc etc.
For example,
think of:
Diet-Coke as a child's toy,
Walmart as a vegetable,
and
Sex as belonging to the Gods, heavenly, celestial, and divine.
Could you do it?
- Why good people, like you and I are hesitant to message about sex. (I for one don't want to promote Satan's agenda.)
- Why the bishop fears possible consequences including legal consequences from parents while talking to their children privately about sex.
Obviously this dilemma discourages us, our youth or anyone else from having "THE RIGHTS" to talk about sexual relations in the "Lord's Way." :(
I'm confident
IN THE END WE'LL RECOGNIZE THAT GOD
REALLY OWNS ALL THE SEXUAL IP
CHALLENGE
How can you help reclaim God's IP rights to sexual messaging?
Have a sexual conversation "in the Lord's way" with someone around you today.
If you need some ideas check out: God's Love Chemicals.
dr rick
dr rick's blog index
Well Dr. Rick, there you go scaring the Bishopric again. I think that's why you keep me near, so you can always say, well, Chuck is worse.. It's a good thing we all love you. This is a conversation that needs to be given. There are many truths given with an honest and sincere hearts. Only the receiver can be offended or edified. Kids don't need to know the details, but they need to know who's team they are on. In all things the truth works. Sometimes truth does seem to sting, but it's still the truth. So keep scaring the folks, and I'll keep sharpening my skills.
ReplyDeleteRick, talking about sex does offend some people who are not open minded and do not realize that this is a subject that needs to be discussed openly in the right time and place. IN THE CHAPEL?? SURE WHY NOT!! If we use the words BEGOTTEN, LAID DOWN WITH, WHY NOT SEX? Personally I do not have a problem with it and think that sometimes it should be discussed openly especially with some people, not always with the youth. There are a lot of mature people who are not aware of some of the things about sex. Graphic, no I do not agree with that at all with any age. I had a Bishop who had no idea of what "Flashed" meant!!! Yep, we had them back east in Central Park, and there were a lot of them on the subways. One woman dealt with one quite well. She pointed at the man who flashed her and said, "That is the smallest thing I have ever seen on a man!" The jerk ran away!! Was giving a discussion on the Law of Chastity, and you would be a bit surprised at the questions that came out on that!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. I found your IP metaphor especially insightful
ReplyDelete