Quotes About Pornography Page 2
"Pornographic literature! It has been a shock, I am sure, to all of us to read the report of the commission that has been studying obscenity reports, and the recommendation that there should be a repeal of all laws prohibiting the distribution of explicit, sexual materials to consenting adults. Shocking!
Now brethren, this is a thing that we must, as a priesthood, take a firm stand against, and do everything within our communities to see to it that by every means within our power we are going to play down the showing of or the distribution of any kind of pornographic literature, films, or advertisements.
It has been a delight to us to have our Deseret News announce that, shortly, there will be no advertising of "R" and "X" rated films. We would wish it would be so in every community.
If you brethren, in all of your communities, would now take a firm stand, I think there would be a time shortly when somebody would wake up to the fact that we are no longer going to tolerate these kinds of things that are placed before our people to tear down their morals."
Harold B. Lee, Improvement Era, December 1970, p. 105
"The destructive forces of Satan are becoming increasingly more effective in their relentless pursuit of the hearts and minds of men and women everywhere. Many of the very elite in the army of the Lord quite innocently have been led into habits that are gaining a stranglehold on them. I fear that there are members who are far less effective and far less satisfied with themselves than they could be or would be if they weren't so afflicted. Many of you may be victims and not even realize it."
"The devil is a shrewd fighter, and we must be aware of his tactics. He tempts us with the transitory pleasures of the world so that we will not focus our minds and efforts on the things that bring eternal joy."
M. Russell Ballard
"If the Holy Ghost leaves you at the door of the theater, you shouldn't expect him to be waiting for you when you come out."
A Seminary Teacher
"Again I say, leave it alone. Turn it off, walk away from it, burn it, erase it, destroy it. I know it is hard counsel we give when we say movies that are R-rated, and many with PG-13 ratings, are produced by satanic influences. Our standards should not be dictated by the rating system. I repeat, because of what they really represent, these types of movies, music, tapes, etc. serve the purposes of the author of all darkness."
In the Jan. 1998 New Era, Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy speaks about resolving to make changes in our lives. He says:
"In addition to making a resolution that we will read only the best in print, it would be very beneficial if now we resolved not to watch even one R-rated or NC-17 movie, or television shows with questionable content. That may sound extreme, but I assure you that much of our future happiness and success depends on it."
"Our lives are made up of thousands of everyday choices. Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value. The crucial test of life....does not center in the choice between fame and obscurity, nor between wealth and poverty. The greatest decision of life is between good and evil."
Elder Boyd K. Packer, "The Choice" - Ensign Nov. 1980, p. 21
"Satan, the very devil and the father of all lies, has slyly and slowly lowered the social norms of morality to a tragic and destructive level. In magazines and books, on CDs and tapes, on our television and theater screens is portrayed more and more often a lifestyle that might even rival the excesses of those who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah....One of the great tragedies is that too many [members] are watching and listening to this type of so-called entertainment.
Some do it only casually at first. They think they are spiritually strong and will be immune to its influence. This trash is nothing more nor less than pornography dressed in one of its many imitation robes of splendor—one of the master counterfeiter's best products....many do not recognize they are trapped or soon will be....They see this as a form of entertainment that serves as a relief from the troubles of the day.
In point of fact and in reality, it is only relieving them of their spirituality and their capacity to draw on the powers of heaven in times of need....no [one] can look at, read about, or listen to such explicit vulgarity, even in its mildest form without bringing sorrow to a loving God and a terrible injury to one's own spirit....I plead with you to leave it alone.
Stay away from any movie, video, publication, or music—regardless of its rating—where illicit behavior and expressions are a part of the action."
"Another activity that can detract us from the proper way is watching television excessively or viewing improper movies. While fine productions on these media are uplifting and entertaining, we need to be very selective in choosing what we see and how much of our time such an activity deserves. Our precious time must not be diverted to the sideline attractions of vulgar language, immoral conduct, pornography and violence."
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Straight and Narrow Way," - Ensign Nov. 1990, p. 65
"Any film, television show, music, or printed material unfit for youth is also unfit for parents. Those who rationalize acceptance of immoral material on grounds of maturity or sophistication are deceived."
Elder J. Richard Clarke, "To Honor the Priesthood" - Ensign May 1991, p. 42
"In a day when broadcasters and publishers have rather free access into our homes, we must seek clean, uplifting entertainment, whether on television, videos, movies, magazines, books and other printed material. We should be very selective and choose only those things that meet the test of being virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy. If it is questionable, we should avoid it."
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Seeking the Good" - Ensign May 1992, p. 87
"[Our Heavenly Father] has, through prophets, cautioned against consuming the steady diet of evil that is offered relentlessly in today's media, especially magazines, movies, videocassettes, video games, and television.
The windows of computer monitors and television screens can bring to us very useful information, but they can also bring information that is evil, degrading, and destructive. The Lord has warned repeatedly against the evils and designs of conspiring men in our day who would enslave us to our appetites and passions by tempting and tantalizing us with the obscene images, words and music.
Through his servants, the Lord has cautioned us strongly not to take into our minds thoughts that can harm our spirits.
Since 1950, Church leaders speaking in general conference have counseled us some seventy-five times against unhealthy media consumption. In recent years, as standards of public decency and morality have declined and as public media have reflected and often led that decline, these words of loving concern from inspires shepherds of the Lord's flock have come with more frequency and greater urgency. The watchmen on the tower have raised a warning voice."
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Windows of Light and Truth" - Ensign Nov. 1995, p. 77
"It is very unreasonable to suppose that exposure to profanity, nudity, sex, and violence has no negative effects on us. We cannot roll around in the mud without getting dirty. It is a concern that some of our young Latter-day Saints, as well as their parents, regularly watch R-rated and other inappropriate movies and videos. One more reason why the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice."
(3 Ne. 9:2)
Elder Joe J. Christensen, "The Savior is Counting on You." - Ensign Nov. 1996, p. 40
"Be clean. I cannot emphasize that enough. Be clean. It is very, very important and you at your age are in such temptation all the time. It is thrown at you on television. It is thrown at you in books and magazines and videos. You do not have to rent them. Don't do it. Just don't do it. Don't look at them. If somebody proposes that you sit around all night watching some of that sleazy stuff, you say, 'It's not for me.' Stay away from it."
President Gordon B. Hinckley, Denver Colorado, youth meeting, 14 Apr. 1996
(quoted by Elder Joe J. Christensen, "The Savior is Counting on You" - Ensign Nov. 1996, p. 40)
"Our Heavenly Father has counseled us as Latter-day Saints to seek after 'anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy' (Articles of Faith 1:13). Whatever you read, listen to, or watch makes an impression on you.
Public entertainment and the media can provide you with much positive experience. They can uplift and inspire you, teach you good and moral principles, and bring you closer to the beauty this world offers. But they can also make what is wrong and evil look normal, exciting, and acceptable.
"Don't attend or participate in any form of entertainment, including concerts, movies, and videocassettes, that is vulgar, immoral, inappropriate, suggestive, or pornographic in any way. Movie ratings do not always accurately reflect offensive content.
Don't be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change a radio station if what's being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father's standards. And do not read books or magazines or look at pictures that are pornographic or that present immorality as acceptable.
"In short, if you have any question about whether a particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don't see it, don't read it, don't participate."
For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet in pdf (from lds.org gospel library)
"...I have noticed, however, that more and more 'sick' parts are being slipped into otherwise good material. Yet when it comes to other kinds of products, such as food, no one would tolerate contamination. Would we eat chicken that was 'great' except for salmonella?"
Anya Bateman
Butler 3rd Ward, Butler Utah West Stake
"Great … Except for That One Part," - Ensign, June 1998, p. 22
"One might well wonder about the term 'adult entertainment.' Could it be that something unclean or immoral which is not fit for children is wholesome for adults? Is 'adult evil' acceptable? How consistent is it to have a double standard?"
Elder Richard L. Evans - Conference Report, April 1969, p. 74
"Satan would have us believe that the minor infractions do not need to concern us. Why worry if we do not control our thoughts or if we allow pornographic or immoral entertainment to be part of our lives? Does attending just a few R-rated movies or immoral PG movies really damage us?
Are we so unworthy when we watch just two or three questionable programs on the cable television channels? Are the lewd novels of the day really so bad? These little rationalizations prompted by Satan will become great detriments to our spiritual growth."
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
"Little Things Count"
BYU Speeches of the Year, 26 October 1986
"Why not make some effort to find out something abut the next movie that will engage your family's undivided attention for two and a half or three hours and will probably cost you far more than you contributed to the poor and the needy that month. It goes without saying that all X-and R-rated movies are automatically eliminated."
Robert L. Simpson, "Pollution of the Mind," Ensign, Jan. 1973, 112
"Do not attend R- or X- rated movies, and avoid drive-ins."
Hartman Rector, Jr., "Live above the Law to Be Free," - CR Oct. 1972, p. 173