Can you say that in Relief Society?

Pimp.

Yup. I said the word "pimp" in Relief Society. I'm sure you can imagine the gasps of shock and embarrassed giggles that followed. I resisted rolling my eyes. But really, the teacher asked for it.

Sunday's lesson was on life beyond the veil. She had us read the qualifications of those who will go to the Telestial Kingdom. Among those on the list were "whoremongers." As she's writing the word up on the board, she asks, "Does anyone even know what a whoremonger is?"

There was an odd murmur and I said "pimp." That's what a whoremonger is. A "monger" is someone who sells something. The fishmonger sells fish, the breadmonger sells bread, and the whoremonger sells whores. I didn't think it was that shocking of a statement, but my comment really bothered some in the room. In fact, one woman in a very offended tone asked, "Well then why aren't the whores listed too?"

I replied, "Think about the ancient world, most of the prostitutes were sold into that. They were owned by the whoremongers and their services and lives were bought and sold by others." After a pause I added, "Just think about today. The whoremongers then sold sex. Is that really any different than most of our marketing today?"

Another woman was touched by the first part of my comment, and talked about how true it is that those who are abusive and treat people as property hold the traits of whoremongers of old.

But while she was talking, a deeper truth sank into my soul. The question, "Why aren't the whores damned?" echoed throughout my being. As that realization filled my soul I saw the justice and the mercy of God. I became so filled with love for God beyond anything I have ever experienced. God damns the whoremongers, but who did He visit while on earth? He healed the whores. He ate with them, visited them, was ministered to by them. Yes, the prostitutes perform acts of unspeakable sin, but God knows it is because someone has broken something within them. Did you know that 98% of all legal prostitutes in Nevada were sexually abused as a child? In one of my classes we did an in-depth study of prostitution. Those women are so hurt. They are so damaged. They are so trapped. And does God damn them as a whole for acting as they do with such damage and pain? No. He damns those who hurt them. He damns the men who condemn them to this lifestyle. God doesn't often speak in stereotypes. He doesn't often condemn entire swaths of people. But whoremongers? It doesn't matter how nice they are to their mother. It doesn't matter how much money they give to the poor. It doesn't matter what redeeming quality the seem to exhibit in their lives. They damaged one of His daughters to a severe degree. End of story. They are damned.

Oh the mercy and the justice of God.

I wish I could express it correctly and with the power that I feel. Maybe some day I'll be able to eloquently write on the subject. But for now, the realization that God does not damn the whores fills my soul with love and causes me to rejoice in my Redeemer. It confirms that God is love and God is just. I will be thinking on the power of this and the implications and clarification it brings to other doctrine for a long time.