Pornography

My Thoughts


This topic has hit me very close this year. I have seen how real this addiction is and how strong the influence of the Devil can be. It is an addiction stronger than any other substance and you can see proof if you look closely at those you know who are under its toxic influence. It takes over and they become a slave to the addiction. Those who are addicted do not know the difference between love and lust and they do anything they can to fulfill their pornographic urges. You become an object to them and their common sense is destroyed. Seeing a loved one go through this is the worst and most heart wrenching thing I have ever seen.

It is a testimony to me that the prophet knows what he is talking about. He is in constant communication with the Father and warns us to stay away from harmful habits. If we would all stay away from this disgusting dependence the world and, more specifically, personal relationships would be stronger and like what our Father in Heaven wants us to have.

I also have a testimony that anyone who feels stuck in this trap can get out of it through the atonement of Christ. There is hope and it is never too late to turn back to our Father in Heaven. Keep moving forward with faith.    



Quotes


“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.”
“The scriptures repeatedly teach that the Spirit of the Lord will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle. When we worthily partake of the sacrament, we are promised that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us].” To qualify for that promise we covenant that we will “always remember him” (D&C 20:77). Those who seek out and use pornography for sexual stimulation obviously violate that covenant. They also violate a sacred covenant to refrain from unholy and impure practices. They cannot have the Spirit of the Lord to be with them. All such need to heed the Apostle Peter’s plea: “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).”
“But the good news is that no one needs to follow the evil, downward descent to torment. Everyone caught on that terrible escalator has the key to reverse his course. He can escape. Through repentance he can be clean.”
“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, "Pornography," General Conference, April 2005




"No matter what the source of difficulty...human reaction to challenge in life that engenders hatred, despondency, distrust, anger, or revenge must be supplanted by the tender mercies of a loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son.. . . Do what you can do a step at a time.. . .the surest, most effective, and shortest path to healing comes through application of the teachings of Jesus Christ in your life. It begins with an understanding of and appreciation for the principles of moral agency and the atonement of Jesus Christ. It leads to faith in Him and obedience to His commandments, and that brings healing." 


Richard G. Scott, "To Be Healed," Ensign, May, 1994, 7



"We have the capacity and the responsibility to stand as a bulwark between all we hold dear and the fatal contamination of the pornography beetle. May I suggest three specific steps in our battle plan:
First, a return to righteousness. An understanding of who we are and what God expects us to become will prompt us to pray—as individuals and as families. Such a return reveals the constant truth: “Wickedness never was happiness.” 6 Let not the evil one dissuade. We can yet be guided by that still, small voice—unerring in its direction and all-powerful in its influence.
Second, a quest for the good life. I speak not of the fun life, the sophisticated life, the popular life. Rather, I urge each to seek eternal life—life everlasting with mother, father, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, sons, and daughters, forever and forever together.
Third, a pledge to wage and win the war against pernicious permissiveness. As we encounter that evil carrier, the pornography beetle, let our battle standard and that of our communities be taken from that famous ensign of early America, “Don’t tread on me.” 7
Let us join in the fervent declaration of Joshua: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 8 Let our hearts be pure. Let our lives be clean. Let our voices be heard. Let our actions be felt."

"Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose. Through chemical means, one can literally become disconnected from his or her own will." 


Russell M. Nelson, "Addiction of Freedom." Ensign. Nov. 1988. 7  




"When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change?" 


Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord." Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16




"Addiction has the capacity to disconnect the human will and nullify moral agency. It can rob one of the power to decide. Agency is too fundamental a doctrine to be left in such jeopardy."


Boyd K. Packer, "Revelation in a Changing World." Ensign, Nov. 1989 



“Are you struggling with some sin or weakness? It can be something as simple as not having the willpower to rise in the morning early enough to have time for scripture study and prayer. It can be something so powerful, such as Internet pornography or lack of moral self-control, that you feel you have been pulled down into an abyss and there is no hope for you. Do you find yourself hating what you are doing but not able to find the willpower to turn away from it? Then reach out and humble yourself. The Lord’s enabling power is sufficient to change your heart, to turn your life, to purge your soul. But you must make the first move, which is to humble yourself and realize that only in God can you find deliverance.”

"There are many kinds of addictions, and it is difficult for someone who has one of these serious addictions to change because some of them are mind-altering. A recent article on addiction said, “In the brains of addicts, there is reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, where rational thought can override impulse behavior.” 5 Some addictions can control us to the point where they take away our God-given agency. One of Satan’s great tools is to find ways to control us. Consequently, we should abstain from anything that would keep us from fulfilling the Lord’s purposes for us, whereby the blessings of eternity may hang in jeopardy. We are in this life for the spirit to gain control over the body rather than the other way around.
Any kind of addiction inflicts a terrible price in pain and suffering, and it can even affect us spiritually. However, there is hope because most addictions can over time be overcome. We can change, but it will be difficult.
If we will turn to the Lord and believe on His name, we can change. He will give us the power to change our lives, the power to put away bad thoughts and feelings from our hearts. We can be taken from ‘the darkest abyss’ to ‘behold the marvelous light of God’ (Mosiah 27:29). We can be forgiven. We can find peace.”
James E. Faust, “The Power to Change,” Liahona, Nov. 2007, 123.




First Presidency Statement Against Pornography

"With the Saints gathered for general conference, the First Presidency issued a statement on pornography. Recognizing that “pornographic filth” continues to flood the United States and other nations of the world, the First Presidency message said:
'There is abundant evidence of the damaging effect of obscenity on the solidarity of the family, on the moral fiber of the individual.
'We, with many leaders outside the church, are deeply concerned about this growing obscenity in print, on record and tape, on television, and in motion pictures.
'We therefore urge Latter-day Saint parents to teach their children to avoid smut in any of its insidious forms. ‘Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.’ (D&C 121:45.)
'The Lord has also said: ‘Set in order your houses; keep slothfulness and uncleanness far from you.’ (D&C 90:18.)
'We also encourage Latter-day Saints as citizens to exert every effort to fight the inroads of pornography in their communities. History is replete with examples of nations which have fallen in a large measure through licentiousness.'”




The 12 Steps of the Addiction Recovery Program

  2. 1. Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable.
  3. 2. Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.
  4. 3. Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
  5. 4. Make a searching and fearless written moral inventory of yourself.
  6. 5. Admit to yourself, to your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, to proper priesthood authority, and to another person the exact nature of your wrongs.
  7. 6. Become entirely ready to have God remove all your character weaknesses.
  8. 7. Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove your shortcomings.
  9. 8. Make a written list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them.
  10. 9. Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons you have harmed.
  11. 10. Continue to take personal inventory, and when you are wrong, promptly admit it.
  12. 11. Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out.
  13. 12. 
    Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, share this message with others and practice these principles inall you do.
Lia McClanahan, "Addiction Recovery: Healing One Step at a Time", Liahona, June 2009



Addiction Recovery Program Mission Statement:


“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addiction recovery meetings assist those who desire to recover from addiction. We also welcome family and friends whose lives may be affected by the addiction of another. We are a group of brothers and sisters who share our experience, faith, and hope as we study and apply the principles of the gospel as they correlate with the 12 steps of recovery. Our meetings provide a safe place for honest sharing because we adhere to the principles of confidentiality and anonymity, and we use appropriate language and behavior to invite the Spirit to be with us. As we practice these 12 steps in our lives, we receive power through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to overcome addiction and receive the full blessings of the gospel. Family and friends who practice these same 12 steps will also find hope and healing for themselves.”

Help in Overcoming Pornography

The addiction recovery program, offered through LDS Family Services, includes free, confidential support meetings for people dealing with addictions to alcohol, drugs (both prescription and illegal), tobacco, coffee or tea, pornography, inappropriate sexual behavior, gambling, codependency, and eating disorders. To find a meeting near you, visitwww.ldsfamilyservices.org . Your priesthood leader may also have information about nearby meetings.
Even if you cannot attend one of the meetings, you may benefit from the program study guide. Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing (item no. 36764) is available in many languages from Distribution Services or as a PDF at recoveryworkbook.lds.org .
CombatingPornography.org is a Church-sponsored website offering help for individuals facing addiction. It can also help their spouses, parents, and priesthood leaders.
Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts (item no. 00460) is a booklet designed to help those struggling with pornography. It discusses how to recognize destructive media, resist and avoid the temptation of pornography, and abandon pornography addictions. It also lists scriptures and other Church resources on repentance, the sanctity of the body, and overcoming worldly influences. Church leaders and family members can share the booklet with loved ones struggling with pornography. The booklet is available from Distribution Services in many languages. It is also available in American Sign Language on DVD.

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