Mormons have not abandoned the Ten Commandments, nor has the Church varied from God’s law in order to conform to modern trends and mores. This will never change, and so Mormons are destined to become more and more different in their behavior than people in the general population, where sexual morals are becoming more and more lax.
The Law of Chastity simply states that sexual relations are only in accordance with God’s law when they occur within the bonds of matrimony. The Church defines marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, and will not consider any homosexual “marriage” as a true marriage covenant.
On 23 September 1995 the Prophet and Apostles of the Mormon Church issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Since the Prophet and Twelve Apostles are prophets, seers, and revelators, this proclamation is Christ’s. In part, it states,
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
It’s difficult to teach the Law of Chastity to children, when the world is becoming so unchaste. Mormons have one advantage in teaching this principle, and that is the temple. Children are taught to look to the temple and the possibility of participating one day in a sacred marriage covenant that will be bound in heaven as it is bound on earth—a marriage that is for eternity and not just until death. This tangible goal encourages chastity—and sincere repentance by youth who falter. Temple marriages fail 7% of the time, making them the strongest marriages of western societies where divorce is allowed.
Wholesome activities, many of them oriented toward charitable service, and the encouragement to be modest in behavior and dress standards, are also helpful for Mormon youth. Counseling is offered for members who deal with same-sex attraction. The Church takes an attitude of loving people who deal with this problem, but condemning the behavior and seeking for a way for homosexuals to conform with God’s law.