Live a Chaste and Virtuous Life

A chaste and virtuous life encompasses not only the Lords commandment that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage, but also all dimensions of our lives, including our relationships with others and the quality of our personal life when we are alone. The scriptures instruct us that virtue should garnish our thoughts unceasingly (D&C 121:45). President Ezra Taft Benson, the thirteenth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, indicated that A reason for virtue which includes personal chastity, clean thoughts and practices, and integrity is that we must have the Spirit and power of God in our lives to do Gods work (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 278). He further noted that the final and crowning virtue of the divine character is charity, or the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:47). Learning to love as He loves would be our highest goal (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 275).

A virtuous life reflects fidelity, purity of thought and action; a contrite and penitent heart; and a chaste mind and body achieved through self-control, self-denial, and self-mastery. All the revelations of God teach simply this son, daughter, you are the workmanship of mine hands; walk and live before me in righteousness; let your conversations be chaste; let your daily deportment be according to my law; let your dealings one with another be in justice and equity. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 39)

Self-control, purity and fidelity in physical, sexual, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of life are fundamental to a chaste and virtuous life. Each member of the BYUH community, in striving to live a chaste and virtuous life, should choose good over evil, service over selfishness, kindness and thoughtfulness over self-indulgence and personal gratification. Members of the university community are expected to be exemplary in their relationships with others. Some of the specific student concerns related to living a chaste and virtuous life include the following sections.

Inappropriate Gender-based Behavior

Respect for each individual as a child of God is fundamental to the atmosphere desired at Brigham Young University Hawaii. Inappropriate gender-based behavior is contrary to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the university's Honor Code. The Church teaches that observance of high standards of conduct in personal relationships is necessary to individual salvation. A breach of the university Unlawful Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Gender-Based Behavior Policy is an Honor Code violation. The following are examples of inappropriate gender-based behavior or sexual harassment.

• Repeated stereotypical gender-based remarks
• Sexually oriented joking, flirting or comments
• Unwelcome touching or any touching of a sexual nature
• Verbal or physical abuse
• Graphic sexually oriented comments about an individuals body
• Derogatory or demeaning comments concerning gender
• Offensive or crude language
• Display of objects or pictures which depict nudity or are otherwise sexual in nature
• Persistent and unwanted attempts to change a casual or friendly relationship into a romantic or more intimate one
  

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Pornography or Indecent Material

Involvement with pornographic, erotic, obscene, indecent or other offensive materials, expressions or conduct which, in the sole discretion and judgment of the university, is inconsistent with the BYUH Honor Code or with the principles of BYUH's sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a serious offense which may result in university sanctions including, in appropriate cases, termination from university employment, immediate suspension or dismissal from the university as well as prosecution pursuant to the law.

Computer Pornography

Students are expected to avoid involvement with pornography. They must also understand that use of the Brigham Young University Hawaii owned and operated computing network to obtain or distribute pornographic material constitutes an inappropriate use of the computer network. See the BYUH Computer Network Patron Policy, which describes expectations and potential actions in regard to this matter.

Sexual Misconduct

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Brigham Young University Hawaii affirm that sexual relationships outside the covenant of marriage are contrary to the commandments of the Lord and second only to murder in seriousness. Examples of sexual misconduct include but are not limited to the following:

• Extramarital relations, such as necking, petting, and simulated or actual intercourse
• Promiscuity or predatory behavior with multiple partners
• Aberrant behavior including group sex
• Solicitation of sex
• Homosexual conduct.
• Cross dressing or otherwise impersonating a person of the opposite sex
• Any level of sexual misconduct at BYUH is significant and may lead to suspension or even dismissal.

Pregnancy Out of Wedlock The students involved in a pregnancy out of wedlock will typically be required to leave the university upon university awareness of the problem. However, they may be allowed to remain until the end of the semester or, in some cases, longer if mitigating factors are present such as pending graduation or marriage.

Thorough administrative assessment and clearance is necessary in determining whether an exception to the general policy of immediate withdrawal from BYUH by an unwed perspective parent is permitted. The assessment should examine the following:

• Is responsibility for the welfare of the unborn child being
  fully accepted?
• Are both parties supportive of each other?
• What steps have or should be taken to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of each of the prospective parents?
• Have the physical and financial needs of the prospective mother been taken into account?
• Is a marriage being planned? If so, when?
• Have both sets of parents and bishops been informed?
• How is the pregnancy impacting others such as roommates, teammates, friends, etc.?

The criteria to be taken into account in determining whether or not the prospective parents are permitted to remain in school until the completion of the current semester are:

• Both the man and the woman should be treated the same unless there is evidence of a real difference in behavior of the two parties.
• When allowance to remain in school is made, the purpose must be to further students' education. Therefore, extracurricular activities and public performances must cease.
• The prospective parents should not live with other students.
• The prospective parents should be very discrete in respect to talking about their situation with others.
  

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