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Now a warning. I am hesitant even to mention this subject, it must be labeled as major transgression. It is not pleasant, but I will speak plainly. There are some circumstances in which young men may be tempted to handle one another, to have contact with one another physically in unusual ways. Latter Day Saint young men are not to do this. Sometimes this begins in a moment of idle foolishness when boys as you're just playing around, but it is not foolishness it is remarkably dangerous. When a young man is finding his way into manhood, such experiences can misdirect his normal desires, and pervert him, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. It was never intended that we use this life giving power only with one who is our partner in marriage. I repeat very plainly, physical mischief with another man is forbidden, it is forbidden of the Lord.

Now there are some men who entice young men to join them in these immoral acts. If you are ever approached to participate in anything like that, that is the time to vigorously resist. While touring a mission on one occasion, a missionary said he had something to confess, I was very worried because he just could not get himself to tell me what he had done. After patient encouragement, he finally blurted out, I hit my companion. Oh, is that all I said, in great relief. But I floored him, he said, after a little more research into what had happened, my response was, Well, thanks, somebody had to do it, and it wouldn't [laughter] and they wouldn't be well for a general authority to solve a problem in that way. Now, I'm not recommending that course to you, my young friends. But I'm not omitting it, you must [laughter] you must protect yourselves.

There is a falsehood that some are born with an attraction to their own kind and that they can do nothing about it. They are just that way. And that is - that is a malicious, destructive lie. It is of the devil. No one is locked into that kind of life. From our pre-mortal existence, we were directed into a physical body. There is no mismatching of bodies and spirits. Boys are to become men, masculine manly men, ultimately to become husbands and fathers. No one is predestined to a life of perversion. Even those who have been drawn into wicked practices and are bound by almost unyielding habits can escape. If one of you seems trapped into that - escape, go to your father or Bishop, please, your parents, your bishop, the servants of the Lord the angels of heaven and the Lord himself will help redeem you from it. Young Latter Day Saints do not tamper with these powers, neither with yourself alone, nor with any of your own kind. Never let anyone handle or touch those very personal parts of your body, which are an essential link in the ongoing of creation. Many of the world would I am sure be amused at this council. Let them be amused. They live by another standard, a lower one. We live by the Lord's standard and will continue to teach it.

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