I'm working on some writing that has brought up a question to ponder...

during the endowment, the following covenants are presented, all of which serve the organization's needs rather than those of the member:

* Law of Obedience (women obey husbands, men obey God's commandments)
* Law of Sacrifice (sacrifice everything, including life, for TSCC)
* Law of the Gospel (no unholy or impure practices)
* Law of Chastity (no sex except with your opposite-sex husband/wife)
* Law of Consecration (pledge all your time and $$ to TSCC)

What pledges could an exmo make to him/herself that would lay down a framework for an ethical and authentic life in place of the temple covenants?

One idea:

Law of Sexual Fulfillment

I solemnly covenant that I will meet my sexual needs through encounters that are consensual and humanizing and that do not needlessly disrupt the safety and relationships of others.

(yeah, needs work, but this is for illustration purposes)

“I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.”

I wouldn't personally go for Ayn Rand but this bit has some potential :)

Glad you get the reference, even if you dislike the author :)

To pursue a genuine core and be authentic in my passions and pursuits.

This does allow for the dark side, since I believe we have that in all of us. Some more so than others.

Law of truth, follow the truth at all times.
Law of honesty, tell the truth.
Law of the Good News: Freedom only comes through living truthfully.
Law of doing good: Do good to others regardless of sex, race, gender preference, or beliefs and to do good even to those who would do evil to you.
Law of treatment of others: Do not abuse other people by sexual abuse, verbal abuse, or any other practice which hurts other people.
Law of wealth: Do not seek wealth only for your own good but, rather, seek to enjoy and to help others in fairness.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2013 07:10PM by rhgc.

* Law of Human Respect - I will respect all people, regardless of their sex, race, sexual orientation, etc.
* Law of Self-Respect - I will not make potentially self-destructive decisions solely because a higher entity or organization demands it.
* Law of Morality - Yeah, just don't do anything evil. You still gotta have SOME morals: integrity, charity, etc.
* Law of Sexual Fulfillment (see Inverso's post) - I will meet my sexual needs, as long as they are consensual, humanizing and do not disrupt the safety and relationships of others.
* Law of Consecration - All monies that I earn will be used wisely in a mode that I choose. I will not blindly donate my money to an organization that will not accept my criticism and ideas.