Sex in scripture

[Vort]

As Saints, we strive to keep sacred things sacred, and sex is at or near the top of that list. We normally try to keep sex sacred by simply not talking about it openly. But this leads to a certain kind of naivete, a sort of opposing reaction to our sex- and filth-saturated world that so often portrays sex as "the nasty". It's one thing to not understand (or to refuse to understand) double entendres and degraded sex jokes; it's quite another to fail to see sex or sexual metaphor when it's used in holy writ. In the latter case, failing to understand the sexual nature of scripture, whether literal or metaphorical, can impede our grasp of what the scriptures mean.

I have noticed quite a few examples of these, though I can't remember most of them. I haven't made a list of sexual mentions and metaphors in scripture; that might be a useful exercise. But consider that our most primal relationships are defined by the sexual act, either by engaging in the activity (in the case of a spouse) or by being the product of the activity (in the case of parents and children, brothers and sisters). We even call each other "brother" and "sister", implicitly invoking an intercourse-based relationship between us. As for our God, the Most High, the greatest Being of all, we call him Father—and this by instruction from our Savior and Redeemer (who is himself our elder Brother).

The scriptures themselves mention sex openly, though often using euphemism (e.g. "Adam knew his wife...", where "to know" is a very old metaphor in many languages meaning "to have carnal knowledge of"). Perhaps just as often, it is built into the wording of certain verses, many of which we probably fail even to recognize as sexual metaphor. I remember reading Isaiah 51:1-2 (cf. 2 Nephi 8:1-2) many years ago and realizing it was probably a sexual metaphor:

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

I may be wrong about this verse, but when the metaphor idea occurred to me, the verses seemed to take on a more solid meaning. The earthy nature of the metaphor seemed to realize (i.e. to make real) the otherworldliness of what was being discussed.

Now I am fully aware that many of the Saints of our day, and more especially the sisters, are sensitive to such things and find them distasteful. I have met a surprising number of women who are truly offended at the metaphoric reference to electrical parts as being "male" or "female". (I had a discussion about this with my wife a few days ago, the latest of a string of such discussions through the years. She assured me in all seriousness that she would very much prefer "innie part" and "outie part" to "female" and "male".) I have mentioned this particular issue to my sisters, my daughter, and a few family friends, and have found near-unanimous agreement among the womenfolk. Nevertheless, the raw earthiness that I perceive in the Isaiah verse above (for example) adds to the impact and personalization of the verse.

I suspect there is a deep-seated idea, more common among the sisters, of the sexual act being not just private and sacred, but somehow a little...wrong. Or shameful. Or icky. Something like that. Whatever it is, it makes people (mostly women) uncomfortable when sexual metaphor is included in a place not normally associated with sex, such as electric fixtures or scripture.

Anyway, my thesis statement is that if we are more willing to hear and consider such readings in scripture study, I think we'll get a much fuller picture of what the scriptures are addressing. I also realize that any time sex is invoked in a discussion, everything we write is likely to be viewed through a lens of double entendre. I have actually read back through and removed a couple of "no pun intended"s from this little essay exactly because I don't want to be perceived as jabbing my elbow in people's sides for some vulgar laughter. I mean this in perfect seriousness, no vulgarity or ribald humor intended.

[zil2]

15 minutes ago, Vort said:

electrical parts as being "male" or "female"

(aka: Build a bridge and get over it.)

 

[mikbone]

37 minutes ago, Vort said:

a more solid meaning.

I see what you did there.

[mikbone]

Couple thoughts.

Last century when most people were exposed to farms and animals the sexual act was common knowledge and seen on a routine basis.  Usually children would be exposed to ‘the act’ from observing the livestock from early childhood.  Now that most of our population reside in cities or suburbs the introduction to sex is either from parents birds and the bees talk, or unfortunately internet pornography.

Secondly, my daughter took a class @ BYU wherein the female professor spoke in a derogatory manner about the LDS church patriarchy.  As well as touting the benefits of masturbation, and other interesting topics concerning self help, and mental wellness…

 

[Vort]

3 minutes ago, mikbone said:

Secondly, my daughter took a class @ BYU wherein the female professor spoke in a derogatory manner about the LDS church patriarchy.  As well as touting the benefits of masturbation, and other interesting topics concerning self help, and mental wellness…

BYU needs to get a handle on this sort of thing yesterday.

[Just_A_Guy]

5 hours ago, Vort said:

BYU needs to get a handle on this sort of thing yesterday.

BYU delenda est.

[Vort]

3 minutes ago, Just_A_Guy said:

BYU delenda est.

I would laugh, except I fear there might be some truth here. That would break my heart.

[JohnsonJones]

Sort of On topic, but leading away from the vulgar...

Procreation is one of the most greatest powers that we have been blessed with on this earth.  It is commonly practiced, and yet it is one of the mnst sacred acts that we can participate in.

How do we actually treat it?  Do we treat it as a holy act or do we treat it more worldly?

Having read about the Prophet and his wife's descriptions or implications of how they approach such acts, I have somewhat thought at times that perhaps before interacting n such ways that a proper way to do things may be to say a prayer and focus on the holiness of the act prior.

It could be that putting it as a holy act and with prayer prior that it would put it in a different approach  and attitude than what the world does.

It probably sounds a little kooky, and I admit it is a little more than a thought process that I've had, but it is something to consider.

Simply not talking about it probably doesn't imply how sacred an act it truly is.  With this is the power of creation, a power that among those who are not mortal is only given to those in the Highest Kingdom of Heaven.  I have thought about this a little bit, and praying may not actually even be enough in regards to the holiness of the power granted. 

This was given as a devotional several years ago.

Love and Marriage

Quote

Truth #2: Personal purity is the key to true love. The more pure your thoughts and feelings, your words and actions, the greater your capacity to give and receive true love.

Trust me on this: Every time you pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father in prayer, and then listen; every time you study the scriptures seeking answers to the questions of your heart; every time you avoid anything that would wound your spirit (such as pornography); every time you worship in the temple; every time you find an ancestor’s ordinance-qualifying information, you are choosing to increase your personal purity.

Your future spouse will thank you because in that very moment you will be preparing for true marital intimacy. So, if you’re single and wonder how best to prepare for true love, the answer is: Do whatever it takes to keep your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions pure. Invite the Spirit to guide you. He will help you! And if you’re married, my counsel is exactly the same!

There were four items she listed (and you can read the entire talk at the link) but I am only listing portions of the Second and Fourth

Quote

This leads to Truth #4: For true marital intimacy, the Holy Ghost needs to be involved. It is simply not possible to have the kind of intimate experiences outside of marriage that you can have within because the Spirit will not be present.

Elder Parley P. Pratt taught that the Holy Ghost has the ability to increase, enlarge, expand, and purify “all the natural passions and affections.”⁵ Just imagine: He can purify your feelings! Therefore, anything that invites the Spirit into your life, and into the life of your spouse and your marriage, will increase your ability to experience marital intimacy. It really is as simple, and as profound, as that!

So I brought up prayer because that's one way to bring in the Spirit.  However, in what ways would one have the spirit while participating in acts of Procreation?  This is a tricky question to ask and can actually be somewhat uncomfortable to discuss (TBH).  However, as the subject was brought up with seriousness, I think that this part of the equation should also be addressed seriously. 

Part of her concluding discussion on the matter dictates that there IS a difference between how the world treats it and how we should treat it...

Quote

So, to recap: While worldly sex is under the influence of the world and the adversary and involves carnal, sensual, and devilish passions, God-ordained marital intimacy is under the influence of the Spirit and involves Spirit-enhanced and purified passions. The truth is, the more pure you are, the more marvelous your marital intimacy will be.⁶

With worldly sex, anything goes. With marital intimacy, exquisite care is taken to avoid anything and everything—from language to music to movies—that offends the Spirit, your spirit, or your spouse’s.

While worldly sex is lustful and kills love, marital intimacy generates more love.

 

[mikbone]

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/1999/01/personal-purity?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/sex-education-and-behavior?lang=eng

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by mikbone

[NeuroTypical]

16 hours ago, Vort said:

I suspect there is a deep-seated idea, more common among the sisters, of the sexual act being not just private and sacred, but somehow a little...wrong. Or shameful. Or icky. Something like that.

Oh, the thing is very real, and yes, it does impact women more then men in the church.  They call it the "Good Women Don't" syndrome.  There's an entire chapter on it in Brotherson's book (which is also named, partially to combat this notion).

By the way, this is a good book.  Wife or I will be giving copies to daughters in coming years.  It's the LDS-approved version of a "how to do it" book, with everything you'd expect from such a book except for pictures.  Brotherson had the church leaders review it, made a change or two at their suggestion before publishing it.

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by NeuroTypical