Pornography is a pervasive evil. It is dark, ugly and sneaky. It can work its way into anyone's life, none are safe from it. I personally know several people who have destroyed their families because they refused to give up pornography. Pornography is entirely a tool of Satan to destroy us. It is anti love and anti family. As adults, we must protect ourselves and our minds from viewing pornography. I would sooner put an axe through my computer or TV than watch a family member become trapped by pornography. As parents, we must teach our children the truth about pornography and internet safety. These days pornography is everywhere, it's in the commercials, magazine covers, "family programming" on TV, and on billboards. It's harder and harder to keep away from it, but oh-so important that we do.
“My beloved friends, under no circumstances allow yourselves to become trapped in the viewing of pornography, one of the most effective of Satan’s enticements. And if you have allowed yourself to become involved in this behavior, cease now. Seek the help you need to overcome and to change the direction of your life. Take the steps necessary to get back on the strait and narrow, and then stay there.” (Thomas S. Monson- April 2009 General Conference “Until We Meet Again” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/until-we-meet-again?lang=eng)
“Initially, we must avoid pornography ourselves because it is deadly. It kills genuine, tender human relationships—destroying marriages and families. It destroys the spirit of the person who consumes it as surely as the most deadly poison kills the body and the mind.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Be Still and Know that I am God,” CES Broadcast, May 2014, https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2014/01/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god?lang=eng)
“I think it is ironic that those who support the business of pornography say that it is a matter of freedom of expression. I have no freedom. I have lost my free agency because I have been unable to overcome this. It is a trap for me, and I can’t seem to get out of it. Please, please, please plead with the brethren of the Church not only to avoid but eliminate the sources of pornographic material in their lives. Besides the obvious things like books and magazines, they need to turn off cable movie channels in their homes. I know many who have these services and claim that they are able to screen the bad things out, but this is not true. …” (Gordon B. Hinckley quoting a letter addressed to him- October 2006 General Conference “Rise Up, O Men of God” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/rise-up-o-men-of-god?lang=eng)
“Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures. But lust changes as quickly as it can turn a pornographic page or glance at yet another potential object for gratification walking by, male or female. True love we are absolutely giddy about—as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops. But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine—the later and darker the hour the better, with a double-bolted door just in case.” (Jeffery R. Holland- April 2010 General Conference “Place No More for the Enemy of my Soul” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng)
“When we face such temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his, “[I will] give place no more for the enemy of my soul.” We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jeffery R. Holland- April 2010 General Conference “Place No More for the Enemy of my Soul” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng)
“Apathy toward pornography stems mostly from a widespread public attitude that it is a victimless crime and that police resources are better used in other areas. Many state and local ordinances are ineffective,sentences are light, and the huge financial rewards far outweigh the risks.” (Thomas S. Monson- October 1979 General Conference “Pornography- The Deadly Carrier” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/pornography-the-deadly-carrier?lang=eng)
“May I suggest three specific steps in our battle plan [against pornography]:
First, a return to righteousness. An understanding of who we are and what God expects us to become will prompt us to pray—as individuals and as families. Sucha return reveals the constant truth: “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). Let not the evil one dissuade. We can yet be guided by that still small voice—unerring in its direction and all-powerful in its influence.
Second, a quest for the good life. I speak not of the funlife, the sophisticated life, the popular life. Rather, I urge each to seek eternal life—life everlasting with mother,father, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, sons, and daughters, forever and forever together.
Third, a pledge to wage and win the war against pernicious permissiveness. As we encounter that evil carrier, the pornography beetle, let our battle standard and that of our communities be taken from that famous ensign of early America, “Don’t tread on me.” (Thomas S. Monson- October 1979 General Conference “Pornography- The Deadly Carrier” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/pornography-the-deadly-carrier?lang=eng)
“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.”Dallin H Oaks - April 2005 General Conference "Pornography" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/
“Some have suggested that pornography should be a separate question in the temple recommend interview. It is already. At least five different questions should elicit a confession and discussion on this subject if the person being interviewed has the spiritual sensitivity and honesty we expect of those who worship in the house of the Lord.” Dallin H Oaks - April 2005 General Conference "Pornography" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/
“Pornography impairs one’s ability to enjoy a normal emotional, romantic, and spiritual relationship with a person of the opposite sex. It erodes the moral barriers that stand against inappropriate, abnormal, or illegal behavior. As conscience is desensitized, patrons of pornography are led to act out what they have witnessed, regardless of its effects on their life and the lives of others.” Dallin H Oaks - April 2005 General Conference "Pornography" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/
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