Pornography

1.      “Patrons of pornography also lost the companionship of the Spirit. Pornography produces fantasies that destroy spirituality. ‘To be carnally minded is death’-spiritual death.” (Dallin H. Oaks in Conference Report, Pornography, April 2005)

2.      “Don’t accommodate any degree of temptation. Prevent sin and avoid having to deal with its inevitable destruction. So, turn it off! Look away! Avoid it at all costs. Direct your thoughts in wholesome paths. Remember your covenants and be faithful in temple attendance.” (Dallin H. Oaks in Conference Report, Pornography,  April 2005)

3.      “[Pornography]” is like a raging storm, destroying individual and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley in Conference Report, A Tragic Evil Among Us, October 2004)

4.      "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." (President Boyd K. Packer in Conference Report, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, October 2010)

5.      “With this priesthood comes a great obligation to be worthy of it. We cannot indulge in unclean thoughts. We must not partake of pornography. We must never be guilty of abuse of any kind. We must rise up above such things. ‘Rise up, O men of God!’ and put these things behind you, and the Lord will be your guide and stay.” (Gordon B. Hinckley in Conference Report, Rise Up, O Men of God, October 2006)

6.      “The computer is a wonderful instrument when it is properly used. But when it is used to deal with pornography or so-called chat rooms or for any other purpose that leads to evil practices or evil thoughts, then there must be self-discipline enough to turn it off.” (Gordon B. Hinckley in Conference Report, Rise Up, O Men of God, October 2006)

7.      “Avoid any semblance of pornography. It will desensitize the spirit and erode the conscience. We are told in the Doctrine and Convenants, ‘That which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.’ Such is pornography.” (Thomas S. Monson in Conference Report, True to the Faith, April 2006)

8.      “The plague of pornography is swirling about us as never before. Pornography brings a vicious wake of immorality, broken homes, and broken lives. Pornography will sap spiritual strength to endure. Pornography is much life quicksand. You can become so easily trapped and overcome as soon as you step into it that you do not realize the severe danger. Most likely you will need assistance to get out of the quicksand of pornography. But how much better it is never to step into it. I plead with you to be careful and cautious.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin in Conference Report, Press On)

9.      “Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! (You shouldn’t be serving tea anyway.) Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love you and would be shattered if you let them down.” (Jeffrey R. Holland in Conference Report, Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul, April 2010)

“These are just some of the reasons that prostituting the true meaning of love—either with imagination or another person—is so destructive. It destroys that which is second only to our faith in God—namely, faith in those we love. It shakes the pillars of trust upon which present—or future—love is built, and it takes a long time to rebuild that trust when it is lost.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul, April 2010)

Position Statement: As I read talks on pornography this semester, I noticed that I felt a sick feeling in my stomach as I would read. As I pondered on those feelings I realized that it was simply because I was so heartbroken to know that pornography is a very real evil that is consuming millions of people. It is addictive. And it has the power to destroy not only one person’s life, but the life of everyone around them including family and friends. It is sickening to think about how quickly pornography has grown over the last decade. That sickness I felt inside of me because I was so disturbed that pornography is so common, and not only that but that it is so common among both women and men. How heartbreaking that is to me. But I know that even when someone does fall into the evil temptations of evil, that there is still hope! It is never too late to come back to the right path.