Joseph in Egypt

Today's scripture mastery is about one of my favorite heros from the scriptures.  This is part of the story of Joseph, who was sold in to slavery to Egypt by his brothers, and overcame many many trials through his faith in the Lord, and through his integrity.  This particular verse comes from the part of the story where he is the chief slave in Potiphar's house.  The wife of Potiphar lusted after Joseph, and tempted him to sleep with her.  This is what he said: (Genesis 39:9)

 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Joseph had a great sense of integrity and honor.  He always did his best to do what is right--so he ran.  He ran from Potiphar's wife, and even left his coat there, as she had grabbed it, and wouldn't let go.  Joseph kept his integrity, even though he was wrongfully thrown in prison when Potiphar didn't believe that Joseph was innocent.

Joseph knew that to sin with Potiphar's wife in that way would be worse than if he were thrown in prison.  He knew the seriousness of that sin.  The prophet Alma taught his son Corianton about that as well.  His son had strayed, and Alma was teaching and pleading with him to repent.  This is what Alma taught his son about it (Alma 39:5-9)

5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?

 6 For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.

 7 And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.

 8 But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

 9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.

The world today teaches the exact opposite of what we are taught about the law of chastity in the scriptures.  The world teaches us that it is OK to have sex before being married.  It teaches that pornography is not bad.  It teaches that an extramarital affair is normal.  We see these false values in the media and on the internet and every place you look.  Those values are just what I said--false values.  If we break the law of chastity, it brings nothing but pain and misery.  It brings despair and darkness.  We must be as Joseph and flee when tempted.  In the world we are in today, we will be tempted. . .We must turn off the computer, cell phone, or the television set when the smut and evil is on it.  This is not an easy thing to do, but we must do it!