The Plague of Pornography...

Pornography is a plague of great proportions.  It seems to seep into many everyday items.  Finding someone viewing pornography can be devastating, however they may deem it as ‘not so bad.’ This is a person who is listening to the natural man.  Pornography is like a drug, similar to cocaine in rush and feelings produced in the brain.  In Mosiah 3:19 we read, “for the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticing’s of the Holy Spirit.”  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that Alma warned Corianton, his son, “that sexual transgression is ‘an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or the denying the Holy Ghost’.”  Elder Holland also counseled, “In trivializing the soul [body] of another we trivialize the atonement, which saved that soul and guaranteed its continued existence.”  Pornography takes a human body and trivializes it or better put, makes light of, minimizes, belittles, underestimates, or undervalues.  When we view others, especially women this way, we will begin to treat them this way in our everyday life. 

Victor Cline, in reference to pornography, said, “Love is presented as a physical thing and nothing more. Movies legitimize adultery, infidelity, and immorality because ‘the physical attraction is so beautiful.’ All they are doing is justifying irresponsibility, telling us that passion overwhelms and justifies all. Well, in my view this is an antisocial message, destructive and Satanic in impact. It degrades love, and it is destructive of human personality and male-female relationships.”

The world at this point shouts that they can do what ever they want; that they have free agency or “It’s my body, I can do what I want.”  Elder Holland refutes this by saying, “It is not your life or your body… ‘You are bought with a price.’”  We need to reach out for the Savior to heal us from things that so easily beset us.  Sister Linda S. Reeves said, “If you are caught in Satan’s trap of pornography, remember how merciful our beloved Savior is.  Do you realize how deeply the Lord loves and cherishes you, even now?  Our Savior has power to cleanse and heal you.  He can remove the pain and sorrow you feel and make you clean again through the power of His Atonement.” 

Pornography is an ill wind that spreads across far too many relationships.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave several steps to help us heal and return from the addiction to pornography.  He said, “First acknowledge the evil.”  Second he suggested, “Seek the help of the Lord and His servants.”  We can do this by speaking with a Bishop.  Elder Boyd K. Packer helps us realize how a bishop can help by saying, “The bishop represents the Lord in extending forgiveness for the Church.”  Elder David A. Bednar further explains, “The Savior is often referred to as the Great Physician…Your bishop or branch president is the spiritual physician’s assistant who is authorized to help you repent and heal.”  Elder Oaks gives a third suggestion to help in the repentance process, “Do all you can to avoid pornography.”  Using this step will help you set bounds for yourself.  You should get a filter on your computer.  Sister Reeves suggests, “Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father’s love and our Savior’s atoning sacrifice for each one of us.”  Elder Oaks fourth suggestion is “Do not patronize pornography.”  Elder Packer also adds another suggestion for help with this issue.  He said, “After confession and penalties, the most difficult part of repentance is to forgive oneself.”  Elder Oaks adds as a final suggestion, “[A] wise bishop…reported that ‘an endowed priesthood bearer’s fall into pornography never occurs during periods of regular worship in the temple; it happens when he has become casual in his temple worship’.”

Educate yourself with further readings and insights into this topic:

Elder Dallin H. Oaks on Pornography--https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on human intimacy--https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_souls-symbols-sacraments/

Sister Linda S. Reeves on protection from pornography--https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng