Pornography

Pornography

1.  “As our children grow, the need information taught by parents more directly and plainly about what is and is not appropriate.  Parents need to teach children to avoid any pornographic photographs or stores.  Children and youth need to know from parents that pornography of any kind is a told of the devil, and if anyone flirts with it, it has the power to addict, dull, and even destroy the human spirit.” M Russell Ballard, “Like a Flame Unquenchable,” www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/like-a-flame-unquenchable?lang=eng

2.  President Hinkley said “I fear this may be going on in some of our homes, it is vicious.  It is lewd and filthy.  It is enticing and habit-forming.  It will take [you] down to destruction as surely as anything in this world.  It is foul sleaze that makes its exploiters wealthy, its victims impoverished.” Thomas S Monson, “True to the Faith.” www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/true-to-the-faith?lang=eng

3.  “Avoid any semblance of pornography.  It will desensitize the spirit and erode the conscience.” Thomas S Monson, “True to the Faith.”  www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/true-to-the-faith?lang=eng

4.  “Youth who have been exposed to immoral images at a very early age are terrified that they may have already disqualitfied themselves for missionary serice and sacred covenants.  As a result, their faith can be severely impaired.  I want to assure young people, that through repentance you can qualify for all the blessings of heaven.” Quentin L Cook, “Can Ye Feel So Now?” www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng

5.  “Consider the plague of pornography sweeping across the world.  The Lord’s standard of worthiness give no allowance for pornography among those officiating in the ordinance of the priesthood.  The Savior said: Repent of your… secret abominations.  The light of the body is the eye.  …If thine eye be evil, the whole body shall be full of darkness.  For whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hat committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Neil L Andersen, “Power in the Priesthood,” www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/power-in-the-priesthood?lang=eng

6.  “First, acknowledge the evil.  Don’t define it or try to justify yourself.  Second, seek the help of the Lord and His servants.  Third, do all that you can to avoid pornography.  Finally, do not patronize pornography.  Let us redouble our efforts from the onslaught of pornography that threatens our spirituality, our marriages, and our children.”  Dallin H Oaks, “Pornography”, www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng&query=pornography

7.  “We as parents and leaders need to counsel with our children and youth on an ongoing basis, listening with love and understanding.  They need to know the dangers of pornography and how it overtakes lives, causing loss of the Spirit, distorted feelings, deceit, damaged relationships, loss of self-control, and nearly total consumption of time, thought, and energy.” Linda S. Reeves, “Protection from Pornography-a Christ-Focused Home”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng&query=pornography+addiction

8.  “Brothers and sisters, how do we protect our children and youth?  Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father’s love and our Savior’s atoning sacrifice for each one of us.”  Linda S. Reeves, “Protection from Pornography-a Christ-Focused Home”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng&query=pornography+addiction

9. Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you.  You find yourself unable to stop it.  But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect upon you.  Likewise, even though the Internet is saturated with sleazy material, you do not have to watch it.  You can retreat to the shelter of the gospel and its teaching of cleanliness and virtue and purity of life.” Gordon B. Hinkley, “A Tragic Evil Among Us”,  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2004/10/a-tragic-evil-among-us?lang=eng&clang=eng

10.  “And sin it is.  It is devilish.  It is totally inconsistent with the spirit of the gospel, with personal testimony of the things of God, and with the life of one who has been ordained to the holy priesthood.” Gordon B. Hinkley, “A Tragic Evil Among Us”,  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2004/10/a-tragic-evil-among-us?lang=eng&clang=eng

Personal Statement:

I must do everything in my power to protect my family from pornography.  The adversary has found a powerful tool to destroy marriage and families and even individuals.  My heart hurts for those who are caught in this addiction.  It is my job as a mother, to make sure my children are aware of the evils and heartache that pornography can cause.  I must fortify their testimonies so as to help them fight against the adversary.  I must help them to understand that the Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in their hearts if pornography is present in their lives.