Thomas S. Monson, “Pornography, The Deadly Carrier”, July 2001 Ensign
“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 1 —a fortune siphoned away from noble use and diverted to a devilish purpose!”
Dallin H. Oaks, April 2005 General Conference
“Here, brethren, I must tell you that our bishops and our professional counselors are seeing an increasing number of men involved with pornography, and many of those are active members. Some involved in pornography apparently minimize its seriousness and continue to exercise the priesthood of God because they think no one will know of their involvement. But the user knows, brethren, and so does the Lord.”
M. Russell Ballard, “When Shall These Things Be?”, December 1996 Ensign
“I extend that warning to all: please be vigilant in your entertainment choices. Some of the things that are being shown in our theaters and broadcast to our homes via television and videos and over the Internet are insidious and dangerous. Rather than falling within the definition of things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (A of F 1:13), they are more clearly described in the seventh chapter of Moroni, where the prophet Mormon teaches that “whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God … is of the devil” (Moro. 7:17).”
Thomas S. Monson, “True to the Faith”, April 2006 General Conference
“Constantly before us is the maka-feke of immorality. Almost everywhere we turn, there are those who would have us believe that what was once considered immoral is now acceptable. I think of the scripture, “Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” 1 Such is the maka-feke of immorality. We are reminded in the Book of Mormon that chastity and virtue are precious above all things.”
Thomas S. Monson, “True to the Faith”, April 2006 General Conference
“Some publishers and printers prostitute their presses by printing millions of pieces of pornography each day. No expense is spared to produce a product certain to be viewed, then viewed again. One of the most accessible sources of pornography today is the Internet, where one can turn on a computer and instantly have at his fingertips countless sites featuring pornography. President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: “I fear this may be going on in some of your homes. It is vicious. It is lewd and filthy. It is enticing and habit-forming. It will take [you] down to destruction as surely as anything in this world. It is foul sleaze that makes its exploiters wealthy, its victims impoverished.””
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Press On”, October 2004 General Conference
“The third obstacle to endurance mentioned by the Savior is “the lusts of other [things].” 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 like 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.”
Richard G. Scott, “The Sanctity of Womanhood”, April 2000 General Conference
“How can a man, particularly a priesthood bearer, not think of the damage emotionally and spiritually caused to women, especially to a wife, from such abhorrent activity? The participation in pornography in any of its lurid forms is a manifestation of unbridled selfishness.”
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry”, April 1998 General Conference
“I plead with you boys tonight to keep yourselves free from the stains of the world. You must not indulge in sleazy talk at school. You must not tell sultry jokes. You must not fool around with the Internet to find pornographic material. You must not dial a long-distance telephone number to listen to filth. You must not rent videos with pornography of any kind. This salacious stuff simply is not for you. Stay away from pornography as you would avoid a serious disease. It is as destructive. It can become habitual, and those who indulge in it get so they cannot leave it alone. It is addictive.”
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Tragic Evil among Us”, October 2004 General Conference
“Please warn the brethren (and sisters). Pornography is not some titillating feast for the eyes that gives a momentary rush of excitement. [Rather] it has the effect of damaging hearts and souls to their very depths, strangling the life out of relationships that should be sacred, hurting to the very core those you should love the most.”
Spencer W. Kimball, “A Report and a Challenge”, October 1976 General Conference
“Members of the Church everywhere are urged to not only resist the widespread plague of pornography, but as citizens to become actively and relentlessly engaged in the fight against this insidious enemy of humanity around the world. Last year billions of dollars were spent worldwide on obscene motion pictures and literature. This smut is surfacing in bookstores, magazine shops, motion picture theaters, and unfortunately, in some department stores, food markets, and even drugstores. We urge Latter-day Saints to get involved as citizens and fight obscenity.”
Personal Statement:
The Lord has given us commandments for a reason. With all the technology in today’s world growing, the way that Satan can tempt us is growing also. He can use many forms to tempt us with the evil of pornography. Pornography is degrading and brings nothing good to our lives. It degrades the family and the human body. The Lord gave us our families and our bodies as an important gift. By using them wrongly, we will suffer the consequences if we do not repent. The Prophets have counseled a lot about being engaged in a good cause so that we don’t get tempted by the adversary. By always doing good things, we will not have time for that which is bad. I know that we must be strong because if we are not, we will be overcome. The Lord is willing to help us but we must show that we want to be helped. Pornography is a very evil thing and getting involved in it brings consequences. Follow the Lord and keep His commandments.
