Pornography

“Parents, be aware that the addiction of pornography can begin with youth at a very early age. Take preventative action to avoid that tragedy.” Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, November 2009, pg 6-9

“This is a critical time in your lives, when you are establishing a foundation for your families and your careers. There are many demands for your attention, and your time is limited by a wide variety of constraints. But be sure that you give the Lord His portion of your time and avoid completely such evils as pornography.” Elder M. Russell Ballard, talk delivered at Brigham Young University, March 12, 1996, LDS. org

“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.’” President Boyd K. Packer, General Conference, October 2010, LDS.org

“Patrons of pornography also lose the companionship of the Spirit. Pornography produces fantasies that destroy spirituality.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference, April 2005, LDS.org

“Pornography, the carrier, is big business. It is evil. It is contagious. It is addicting. It is estimated that in recent years Americans alone spent $8–10 billion per year on hard-core pornography -a fortune siphoned away from noble use and diverted to a devilish purpose!” President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, July 2001, LDS.org

“In recent years pornography has spread like wildfire. We are exposed to it daily. Pornography is as addictive as many substances we would not even consider taking into our bodies. The consequences of pornography are catastrophic.” David H. Burton, General Conference, April 2000, LDS.org

“Pornography is as addictive as cocaine or any illegal drug.” President James E. Faust, New Era, March 2003, LDS.org

“Pornography is a plague that is detrimental not only to a person’s moral standing with God, but it can also destroy marriages and families and has an adverse impact on society. “ Elder Quentin L. Cook, CES Devotional for Young Adults, March 4, 2012, Brigham Young University–Idaho, LDS.org

“Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive. Curious exploration of pornography can become a controlling habit, leading to coarser material and to sexual transgression.” President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, November 1990, LDS.org

“…start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. As those battling something like alcoholism know, the pull of proximity can be fatal. So too in moral matters.” Elder Jeffery R. Holland, General Conference, April 2010, LDS.org

Position:

This is such a destructive thing. Satan has really taken this and is hitting people hard by tempting a very basic instinct. More and more of it is slipping into our daily lives. I noticed a billboard in Idaho Falls with a lady in lingerie. How do you protect your children from something like that? I can’t change the billboard. It is scary as a parent to see so much of this becoming the “norm.” I know that once he gets a hold of a person using this, it is a steep and slippery slope. It always starts small and seemingly innocent, but I believe that it can and does quickly turn into something more in explicit and more binding. It is not something that you can’t come back from, but you will loose a lot along the way. I am trying hard to make sure that our house doesn’t get the complacent attitude toward nudity, especially with the television.