Pornography

1. “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.” 

2. “The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. Lucifer seeks to disrupt ‘the 
     great plan of redemption,’ ‘the great plan of happiness.’
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

 3. “The priesthood holds consummate power,” President Packer said. “It can protect you from the 

     plague of pornography—and it is a plague—if you are succumbing to its influence. If one is 

     obedient, the priesthood can show how to break a habit and even erase an addiction. Holders of the 

     priesthood have that authority and should employ it to combat evil influences.
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

4. “Priesthood holders carry with them the antidote to remove the terrible images of pornography and to 

     wash away guilt. The priesthood has the power to unlock the influence of our habits, even to unchain 

     from addiction, however tight the grip. It can heal over the scars of past mistakes.”
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

5. The power of the priesthood to counteract such influences must be accompanied by repentance, 

    which “is like unto a detergent. Even ground-in stains of sin will come out.” 
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

6. The very soul confined in a prison of sin, guilt, or perversion has a key to the gate. The key is 
     labeled -“repentance.” If you know how to use this key, the adversary cannot hold you. The twin 
     principles of repentance and forgiveness exceed in strength the awesome power of the tempter. If 
     you are bound by a habit or an addiction that is unworthy, you must stop conduct that is harmful. 
     Angels will coach you, ¹⁹ and priesthood leaders will guide you through those difficult times.
    (Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

7. “Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. 

     Do you understand the consummate cleansing power of the Atonement made by the Son of God, our 

     Savior, our Redeemer? He said, ‘I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer 

     if they would repent.’  In that supernal act of love, the Savior paid the penalties for our sins so that    

     we might not have to pay.”
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

8. There is a way out for anyone involved in such addictions, said Elder Oaks. “First, acknowledge the 

     evil. Don’t defend it or try to justify yourself. Second, seek the help of the Lord and His servants.

    “Third, do all that you can to avoid pornography,” Elder Oaks said. “If you ever find yourself in its 

     presence—which can happen to anyone in the world in which we live—follow the example of 

     Joseph of Egypt. When temptation caught him in her grip, he left temptation and ‘got him out’ (Gen. 

      39:12).
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

9. “Finally, do not patronize pornography. Do not use your purchasing power to support moral 

     degradation. And young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying 

     this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you."
     Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign, October 2010)

10. “Please heed these warnings. Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to 

      protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography that threatens our 

      spirituality, our marriages, and our children.”

      (Dallin H. Oaks, Pornography, April 2005, http://www.lds.org/)

11. Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive. Curious exploration of 

      pornography can become a controlling habit, leading to coarser material and to sexual 

      transgression. Avoid pornography at all costs.
      (Thomas S. Monson, Preparation Brings Blessings, April 2010, http://www.lds.org/)

12. My beloved friends, under no circumstances allow yourselves to become 

      trapped in the viewing of pornography, one of the most effective of Satan’s enticements. And if you 

      have allowed yourself to become involved in this behavior, cease now. Seek the help you need to 

      overcome and to change the direction of your life. Take the steps necessary to get back on the strait 

      and narrow, and then stay there. May we say, with Joshua of old, “Choose you this day whom ye 

      will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 
      (Thomas S. Monson, Preparation Brings Blessings, April 2010, http://www.lds.org/)

13. Some of you may have succumbed to conduct that goes well beyond just fun and 

      games. Those involved with pornography or any other form of immorality are acting out a different 

      role from what they really want to be or should be. It is interesting that almost everyone who is 

      involved with pornography assumes a false identity and hides his or her participation. They mask 

      their conduct, which they know is reprehensible and destructive to everyone they care about. 

      Pornography is a plague that is detrimental not only to a person’s moral standing with God, but it 

      can also destroy marriages and families and has an adverse impact on society. Internet addiction 

      and pornography are both harming marriages.10 As you move toward marriage, you must not wear 

      any masks that hide inappropriate conduct that will be detrimental to you or your marriage.
      (Quentin L. Cook, What E'er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part: Avoid Wearing Masks That Hide 
      Identity, ES Devotional for Young Adults • March 4, 2012 • Brigham Young University–Idaho)

14. D. Todd Christofferson:  In an informal discussion that Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) and I 

      had some years ago, we observed that one can avoid most pornography and pornographic images 

      just by making good choices. For the most part it is simply a matter of self-discipline not to go 

      where pornography is likely to be found—physically or electronically. We acknowledged, 

      nevertheless, that because it is so tragically pervasive, pornography could assault a person minding 

      his own business quite by surprise. “Yes,” observed Elder Maxwell, “but he can immediately 

      reject it. He does not have to invite it to come in and offer it a chair to sit down.”
       (D. Todd Christofferson, Recognizing God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings, January 2012, CES  
       Fireside)

15. "...Do all that you can to avoid pornography.  If you ever find yourself in its presence--which can 

      happen to anyone in the world in which we live--follow the example of Joseph in Egypt.  When 

      temptation caught him in her grip, he left temptation and 'got him out' (Gen. 39:12)" 
      (Dallin H. Oaks, Pornography, April 2005 General Conference).

16. " 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 effects on their life and 

       the lives of others" 
      (Dallin H. Oaks, Pornography, April 2005 General Conference).

17. "Now... the time has come for any one of us who is so involved [with pornography] to pull himself 

      out of the mire, to stand above this evil thing, to 'look to God and live' (Alma 37:47). We d not 

      have to view salacious magazines.  We do not have to read books laden with smut.  We do not have 

      to watch television that is beneath wholesome standards.  We do not have to rent movies that depict 

      that which is filthy.  We do not have to sit at the computer and play with pornographic material 

      found on the internet"
      (Gordon B. Hinckley, A Tragic Evil Among Us, October 2004 General Conference).

18. "Avoid any semblance of pornography.  It will desensitize the spirit and erode the conscience.  We 

      are told in the Doctrine and Covenants, 'That which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.' 

      Such is pornography" 
      (Thomas S. Monson, Trueto the Faith, April 2006 General Conference).

19. "Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you.  You find yourself 

      unable to stop it.  But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect 

      upon you.  Likewise, even though the Internet is saturated with sleazy material, you do not have to 

      watch it.  You can retreat to the shelter of the gospel and its teaching of cleanliness and virtue and 

      purity of life" 
     (Gordon B. Hinckley, A Tragic Evil Among Us, October 2004 General Conference).

20. "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.  Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, 

      obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone, or flickering personal computer screen, pornography is 

      overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging. 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.  For many, that addiction 

      cannot be overcome without help.  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 a terribly immoral, addictive habit exercises its vicious 

      control.... Participation in pornography in any of its lurid forms is a manifestation of unbridled 

      selfishness" 
      (Richard G. Scott, To Acquire SpiritualGuidance, October 2009).

21. "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, Challenges for the Year Ahead (pamphlet, 1974), 4-5; reprinted in "Things 

     They're Saying," New Era, Feb. 1974, 18).

22. "Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive. Curious exploration of pornography can 

      become a controlling habit, leading to coarser material and to sexual transgression. Avoid 

      pornography at all costs. 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. 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" 
     (Thomas S. Monson, Preparation Brings Blessings, April 2010 General Conference).

23. "We also need focus to avoid what is harmful. The abundant information and images accessible on 

      the Internet call for sharp focus and control to avoid accessing the pornography that is an increasing 

      scourge in our society. As the Deseret News noted in a recent editorial, 'Images that used to be 

      hidden in out-of-the-way store counters now are as close as a mouse click' ('Staying ahead of 

      Pornography,' 21-22 Feb. 2001, A12). The Internet has made pornography accessible almost 

      without effort and often without leaving the privacy of one's home or room. The Internet has also 

      facilitated the predatory activities of adults who use its anonymity and accessibility to stalk 

      children for evil purposes. Parents and youth, beware!" 
      (Dallin H. Oaks, Focus and Priorities, April 2001General Conference).

24. "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. 

      Lucifer seeks to disrupt 'the great plan of redemption,' 'the great plan of happiness.' Pornography 

      will always repel the Spirit of Christ and will interrupt the communications between our Heavenly 

      Father and His children and disrupt the tender relationship between husband and wife.... We raise 

      an alarm and warn members of the Church to wake up and understand what is going on. Parents, be 

      alert, ever watchful that this wickedness might threaten your family circle" 
      (Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, October 2010 General