Here are the links to the sunday school lessons I have taught to the 12 and 13 year olds in my ward these past few weeks. Todays lesson has been taught over the past two weeks, as so much material about Moral Cleanliness had to be covered. The teens in my class handled the uncomfortable information really well, although it is always difficult to discuss sexual morality with a combined group of girls and boys at this tender age. I’m planning to share this talk with them today, The Message: You Promised by Elder M. Russell Ballard.
Quotes from the article:

“We understand the struggles you face every day in keeping the commandments of the Lord. The battle for your souls is increasingly fierce. The adversary is strong and cunning. However, you have within your physical body the powerful spirit of a son or daughter of God. Because He loves you and wants you to come home to Him, our Father in Heaven has given you a conscience that tells your spirit when you are keeping the Lord’s commandments and when you are not. If you will pay more attention to your spiritual self, which is eternal, than to your mortal self, which is temporary, you can always resist the temptations of Satan and conquer his efforts to take you into his power.

You must be honest with yourself and remain true to the covenants you have made with God. Do not fall into the trap of thinking you can sin a little and it will not matter. Remember, “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (D&C 1:31).

Some young men and women in the Church talk openly about sexual transgression. They seem to forget that the Lord forbids all sexual relations before marriage, including petting, sex perversion of any kind, or preoccupation with sex in thought, speech, or action. Some youth foolishly rationalize that it is “no big deal” to sin now because they can always repent later when they want to go to the temple or on a mission. Anyone who does that is breaking promises made to God both in the premortal life and in the waters of baptism.

The idea of sinning a little is self-deception. Sin is sin! Sin weakens you spiritually, and it always places the sinner at eternal risk. Choosing to sin, even with the intent to repent, is simply turning away from God and violating covenants.

Gratefully, many of you young men honor your priesthood and many young women “stand for truth and righteousness” as stated in the Young Women’s motto. We commend you for your fidelity and integrity.”

Here is a video of one of Elder Ballards conference talks. It remains one of my all time favorite talks ever given in conference:

Look Beyond Yourself
Honest in all things
Be Ye Clean
Jenny Hatch

Families can be together forever