LDS: Is this statement true?

Question

"I would rather have my child dead than unchaste"

I heard, and I don't remember where, that if you are a book believing Mormon, that you actually accept that statement. Is this true?

Let me clarify that I am LDS and I really am shocked by that.

OMG. That's horrible.

Are you equating chastity with death? I hate that! I'll never be convinced that being unchaste is the same as being dead!

Thank you A W, My sentiment exactly.

Answer 1

I have not heard that before, but I don't like it. You can repent from being unchaste, even if it is a long hard process. You can't repent from death. lol and if you die without repenting of being unchaste.......*shudder*

Answer 2

That is a very, very tricky question. Before I give my opinion, let me just first say that I am LDS and I am a mother of two little boys.

I'm going to have to say I disagree and I don't think it's true. I would guess the reasoning behind the statement is that if your child is dead, but lead a righteous life, then your child has been saved and you would see him/her in the next life and be able to live with him/her again. But if your child is unchaste and doesn't repent, then you may be separated from him/her in the eternities.

But in my opinion, just because someone is unchaste doesn't mean they are a bad person, only that they have made some bad decisions. And the miracle of the Atonement is that my children could decide to repent. I would never, EVER say, no matter what my children ever do in this life, that I would prefer it if they were dead. No way. I would much rather them be alive and I would pray for them daily that they would turn their lives around.

Answer 3

That statement is absurd!
As for protecting your own chastity yes you are better off dieing than to lose it willingly. But no good parent would ever wish their children dead for any reason except maybe that they became a murderer. That is the only sin that the blood of Jesus may not wash out. However sexual sins are a very serious matter. Parents just want what is the best for their children and they know how hard somethings are, like repentance of sexual sins. For the blood of Jesus cannot atone for sins not fully repented of. Some people will lose their soul to sexual sins and never get to the kingdom of heaven because of those things they have done sexually. No parent wishes their child to miss out on the great blessings of heaven.

Answer 4

I've heard the statment before. I believe it doctrine from the Book of Mormon. But Mormons have vhanged from a number of things taught within. Mainly I am certain they will not kill their children for becoming unchaste. Mormons do a good job making necessary changes with the time. My view is the Book of Morman is not dead. Not added to. But, they also make changes to doctrine as new knowledge comes as well as new understanding.
Don't take me as authority though as I am an athiest. I have studied a few religions and always attempt to give fair views of all. Don't worry, I have a few differences of opinion with Mormons as well. But think here fairly good understanding.

Answer 5

That's a pretty rough statement, but it's not inconsistant with religious belefs that a child is better off dying innocent than living an evil unrepentant life.

No, I am not arguing that unchaste is terminally evil.

It reminds me of a question I was once asked: "Would you rather your child be murdered or a murderer?" Obviously, neither, but if one had to choose...??

ADDED: I would have to choose murdered...

Answer 6

I was LDS, for most of my life, and I have never heard this. But, if I had, I would have ignored it! I would never have agreed to this belief statement in any way, shape or form! My daughter's life is more valuable to me, than her chastity! My son's life as well, and seeing as how they both, were sexually abused when they were small, this tenet would have been mote, any way!
What a vile thing to say! Nothing is more important than life!

Answer 7

LDS is based on the gifts of life given through Christ! There will be no one that escapes the temptaions of this world. For there are none that live their entire lives chaste. We will all fall short of a pure spirit until cleansed through the gift of the resurrection!

Answer 8

I believe the statement was made by President Spencer W. Kimball - That we should guard our virtue with our lives.... and that if we had to choose between losing our virtue or losing our lives, we should choose to retain our virtue.

How serious was he? Who knows? But it was stated within a discussion regarding morality and chastity - and I believe the point was well made - that we should protect our virtue with all of our might.

Answer 9

This statement has made many LDS woman who were assaulted violently wonder if they would have been better off dead. It has also made many church members feel like the woman who was raped was at fault in some way. Kimballs words in the Miracle of Forgiveness have cause a lot of women sorrow and pain. It was one of the things that made me realize he didn't speak for God. Remeber, Kimball said that it was better for a woman to die if she was raped that to "allow" herself to be raped. As if rape is ever "allowed"!

Answer 10

No that is not correct. I think someone said that in a talk once and some people like to quote talks like scripture.

I think that statement is an insult to every rape victim on the planet, personally.