It’s not a very romantic topic for Valentine’s Day (which is being celebrated today in many countries), but it is an important topic. What are Mormon beliefs about marriage and sexuality? Why do these beliefs exist?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks recently spoke on these and other related topics. He acknowledges that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that relate to marriage, gender, and sexual purity tend to leave us looking “different” (and sometimes quite obviously so) from many in today’s culture and political environment.

Many have questions about Mormon doctrines related to these topics, such as why we don’t support gay marriage, why lifelong sexual purity (abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity after) is a Church standard (even for those who never have an opportunity to marry in this life), why gender roles are included as part of our belief system, and more. He also addressed questions such as “If there really is a God, why does He allow bad things to happen?” and how commandments are evidence of God’s love.

Elder Oaks draws on scripture, words of Church leaders (male and female, including a recent BYU devotional given by Elaine S. Dalton), and scripture to explain why Mormon beliefs on these topics often differ from popular, politically-correct culture. (His talk about love and law that he references can be found here.)