Pornography
“Then suddenly, there appears before us in this generation a sinister and diabolical enemy—pornography. Like the bark beetle it too is the carrier of a deadly disease. I shall name it “pernicious permissiveness.” At first we scarcely realize we have been infected. We laugh and make light-hearted comment concerning the off-color story or the clever cartoon. With evangelical zeal we protect the so-called rights of those who would contaminate with smut and destroy all that is precious and sacred. The beetle of pornography is doing his deadly task—undercutting our will, destroying our immunity, and stifling that upward reach within each of us.”
(Elder Thomas S. Monson, pornography—the Deadly Carrier, October 1979 General Conference)
(Elder Thomas S. Monson, pornography—the Deadly Carrier, October 1979 General Conference)
“To be entrusted with the power to create life carries with it the greatest of joys and dangerous temptations…Pornography will always repel the Spirit of Christ and will interrupt the communications between our Heavenly Father and His children and disrupt the tender relationship between husband and wife.”
(Elder Boyd K Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, October 2010 General Conference)
“Most days we all find ourselves assaulted by immoral messages of some kind flooding in on us from every angle. The darker sides of the movie, television, and music industry step further and further into offensive language and sexual misconduct. Tragically, the same computer and Internet service that allows me to do my family history and prepare those names for temple work could, without filters and controls, allow my children or grandchildren access to a global cesspool of perceptions that could blast a crater in their brains forever.”
(Elder Jeffrey R Holland, Place no More for the Enemy of my Soul, April 2010 General Conference)
(Elder Jeffrey R Holland, Place no More for the Enemy of my Soul, April 2010 General Conference)
“Pornographic or erotic stories and pictures are worse than filthy or polluted food. The body has defenses to rid itself of unwholesome food. With a few fatal exceptions, bad food will only make you sick but do no permanent harm. In contrast, a person who feasts upon filthy stories or pornographic or erotic pictures and literature records them in this marvelous retrieval system we call a brain. The brain won’t vomit back filth. Once recorded, it will always remain subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind and drawing you away from the wholesome things in life.”
(Elder Dallin H Oaks, Pornography, April 2005 General Conference)
(Elder Dallin H Oaks, Pornography, April 2005 General Conference)
“Satan has become a master at using the addictive power of pornography to limit individual capacity to be led by the Spirit. The onslaught of pornography in all of its vicious, corroding, destructive forms has caused great grief, suffering, heartache, and destroyed marriages. It is one of the most damning influences on earth. Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone, or flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging. This potent tool of Lucifer degrades the mind and the heart and the soul of any who use it.”
(Elder Richard G Scott, To Acquire Spiritual Guidance, October 2009 General Conference)
(Elder Richard G Scott, To Acquire Spiritual Guidance, October 2009 General Conference)
“Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive. Curious exploration of pornography can become a controlling habit, leading to coarser material and to sexual transgression. Avoid pornography at all costs.”
(President Thomas S. Monson, Preparation Brings Blessings, April 2010 General Conference)
(President Thomas S. Monson, Preparation Brings Blessings, April 2010 General Conference)
“If you are already caught in the pornography trap, now is the time to free yourself with the help of the Savior. There is a way out, but you will need His help to escape. Your complete recovery will depend upon your complete repentance. Go to your bishop immediately. Seek his inspired guidance. He will help you put in place a plan of repentance that will restore your self-esteem and bring the Spirit back into your life. The healing power of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ reaches all afflictions, even this one.”
(Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Blessed are All the Pure in Heart, October 2007 General Conference)
(Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Blessed are All the Pure in Heart, October 2007 General Conference)
“Pornography destroys character and makes its user sink in the quicksand of filth, out of which the person can escape only with much help. This terrible monster causes pain and suffering both to the user and to his or her innocent children, spouse, father, and mother. The fruit of carnal pleasure is bitterness and sadness. The fruit of obedience and sacrifice is sweetness and everlasting joy.”
(Jairo Mazzagardi, Avoiding the Trap of Sin, October 2010 General Conference 2010)
(Jairo Mazzagardi, Avoiding the Trap of Sin, October 2010 General Conference 2010)
“While the matter of which I speak was a problem then, it is a much more serious problem now. It grows increasingly worse. It is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful. I speak of pornography in all of its manifestations.”
(Elder Gordon B Hinckley, A Tragic Evil Among Us, October 2004 General Conference)
(Elder Gordon B Hinckley, A Tragic Evil Among Us, October 2004 General Conference)
“It is ridiculous to imply that pornography has no effect. There is a definite relationship to crime. Murder, robbery, rape, prostitution, and commercialized vice are fed on this immorality. Sex statistics seem to reflect a relationship between crime and pornography.”
(Elder Spencer W. Kimball, God Will Not Be Mocked, October 1974 General Conference)
(Elder Spencer W. Kimball, God Will Not Be Mocked, October 1974 General Conference)
My Personal Position Statement on Pornography
Pornography is working its way into every possible outlet it can find. Unfortunately its getting harder and harder to avoid the harmful images broadcasted all over this world. Pornography is no longer just attacking the minds of those in a secluded room with a TV screen or computer watching all manner of unmentionables. It has worked its way into movies, books, magazines, music and many other places but in subtle doses that give the illusion that nothing is wrong. We need to have the strength to walk out of a room or movie theater where these images are plastered in front of us so we can shelter ourselves from the damaging effects they produce. Pornography is an illness that addicts many and then destroys various aspects of that individual’s life. Seek help if you or a loved one is suffering from such a disease and repent so that you can once again feel whole.