Pornography

Mission Statement 

Pornography is a sneaky evil that perpetuates immoral and lewd behavior, tears marriages apart, and dulls the mind and senses. It has no redeeming qualities, and its affects are tragic. Many think that Pornography has been a problem only since the internet, that is just not so. I was surprised to find a talk by President Thomas S. Monson from 1979 speaking of the evils of the disgusting, degrading material of Pornography.  Our Apostles have been warning us for decades of its evil, and with technology progressing to devices that have access to everything in the palm of our hands, I feel like Satan is working overtime to degrade women and subjugate men. Which will make me that much more conscious of what goes on in my home, on my computer, and what is being viewed on television. 

The Tragic Evil Among Us

President Gordon B. Hinckley

 2004 October General Conference “The Tragic Evil among Us”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/a-tragic-evil-among-us?lang=eng

Could anyone wish for a greater blessing than this? The high road of decency, of self-discipline, of wholesome living is the road for men, both young and old, who hold the priesthood of God. To the young men I put this question: “Can you imagine John the Baptist, who restored the priesthood which you hold, being engaged in any such practice as this?” To you men: “Can you imagine Peter, James, and John, Apostles of our Lord, engaging in such?”

No, of course not.

I repeat, we can do better than this. We must do better than this. We are men of the priesthood. This is a most sacred and marvelous gift, worth more than all the dross of the world. But it will be amen to the effectiveness of that priesthood for anyone who engages in the practice of seeking out pornographic material.

Cleansing the Inner Vessel

Elder Boyd K. Packer

October 2010 General Conference “Cleansing the Inner Vessel”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng

In our day the dreadful influence of pornography is like unto a plague sweeping across the world, infecting one here and one there, relentlessly trying to invade every home, most frequently through the husband and father. The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. Lucifer seeks to disrupt “the great plan of redemption,” “the great plan of happiness.”

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.

Spiritual Guidance

Elder Richard G. Scott 

October 2009 General Conference “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng&

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

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. All who are caught in its seductive, tantalizing web and remain so will become addicted to its immoral, destructive influence. 

The Deadly Carrier

President 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

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.

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” (John Bartlett, Familiar Quotations, p. 1090).

Moral Degradation

Elder Dallin H. Oaks 

2005 April General Conference “Pornography”

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/05/pornography

The immediate spiritual consequences of such hypocrisy are devastating. Those who seek out and use pornography forfeit the power of their priesthood. The Lord declares: “When we undertake to cover our sins, … behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man” (D&C 121:37).

Finally, do not patronize pornography. Do not use your purchasing power to support moral degradation. And young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you.