This topic is
one that the General Authorities have been stressing for a very long time.
Today, pornography is such a "normal" thing to people outside of the
Church. Many doctor's even prescribe the viewing of pornographic images and
movies to their patients as a way to "let off some steam" and relax.
In a world with such a drop in moral behavior, I feel so blessed and so
comforted to have the words of the prophets to guide the way.
Pornography is far more addictive than any substance. It is literally poison to our minds. It tears us away from our spouses and destroys families. Worst of all, it separates us from the Spirit. Often times it is difficult to define exactly what pornography is. We must be mindful of the things that we are watching and reading, so as to make sure that the Spirit can still be present. The world would have us believe that what is wrong is right and what is right is wrong. This is especially apparent on the issue of pornography. Even a little bit is toxic to our minds and spirits.
If we are caught in the strong grasps of pornography, we must never turn away
from the Savior who atoned for all of our sins. Because of His selfless
sacrifice, addictions can be overcome and we can become pure again.
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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 effect on their life and the lives of others.
Dallin H. Oaks, Pornography, April
2005 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng
Let our hearts be pure. Let our lives be clean.
Let our voices be heard. Let our actions be felt. Then... pornography will be
halted in its deadly course... And we, with Joshua, will safely cross over
Jordan into the promised land - even to eternal life in the Celestial Kingdom
of our God.
Thomas S. Monson, Pornography
- The Deadly Carrier, October
1979 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/pornography-the-deadly-carrier?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. It is one of the most damning influences on Earth... 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 tragic pattern is so familiar. It begins with curiosity that is fueled by its stimulation and is justified by the false premise that when done privately, it does no harm to anyone else. For those lulled by this lie, the experimentation goes deeper, with more powerful stimulations, until the trap closes and a terribly immoral, addictive habit exercises its vicious control.
Richard G. Scott, To Acquire Spiritual Guidance, October 2009 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng
Let any who may be in the grip of [pornography] get upon their knees in the privacy of their closet and plead with the Lord for help to free them from this evil monster. Otherwise, this vicious stain will continue through life and even into eternity.
Gordon B. Hinckley, A Tragic Evil Among Us, October 2004 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/a-tragic-evil-among-us?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.
Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, October 2010 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?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, Pornography, April 2005 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng
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. Push that idea far enough... and soon enough on the building once constructed to house morally responsible societies, we can hang a sign saying, 'This property is vacant.'
Jeffrey R. Holland, Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul, April 2010 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul?lang=eng
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