y s a   l e a d e r s

Following are quotes from from President Hinckley and Elder Oaks on the subject of pornography and addiction. Most quotes come from these two talks:

1. Pornography - Elder Dallin H. Oaks, April 2005, General Conference
2. A Tragic Evil Among Us - President Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2004, General Priesthood Meeting

1. Universally available

   “I know that I am speaking directly and plainly. I do so because the Internet has made pornography more widely accessible, adding to what is available on DVDs and videos, on television and magazine stands. It leads to fantasies that are destructive of self-respect. It leads to illicit relationships, often to disease, and to abusive criminal activity.” Pres. Hinckley

   While the matter of which I speak was a problem then (some years ago), it is a much more serious problem now. It grows increasingly worse. It is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful. I speak of pornography in all of its manifestations. Pres. Hinckley

2. Devastating to family relationships

   In the second chapter of the book that bears his name, Jacob condemns men for their "whoredoms" ( vv. 23, 28). He told them they had "broken the hearts of [their] tender wives, and lost the confidence of [their] children, because of [their] bad examples before them" (v. 35). Pornography also inflicts mortal wounds on our most precious personal relationships. Elder Oaks

3. Begins with thoughts

   What were these grossly wicked "whoredoms"? No doubt some men were already guilty of evil acts. But the main focus of Jacob's great sermon was not with evil acts completed, but with evil acts contemplated. Jacob began his sermon by telling the men that "as yet, [they had] been obedient unto the word of the Lord" (Jacob 2:4). However, he then told them he knew their thoughts, that they were "beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable . . . unto God" (v. 5). "I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts" (v. 6), he added. Jacob was speaking as Jesus spoke when He said, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28; see also 3 Nephi 12:28; D&C 59:6; 63:16). (Elder Oaks)

   Consider the tragic example of King David. Though a spiritual giant in Israel, he allowed himself to look upon something he should not have viewed (see 2 Samuel 11). Tempted by what he saw, he violated two of the Ten Commandments, beginning with "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). In this way a prophet-king fell from his exaltation (see D&C 132:39). Elder Oaks

4. Pornography becomes addictive

   Pornography is also addictive. It impairs decision-making capacities and it "hooks" its users, drawing them back obsessively for more and more. A man who had been addicted to pornography and to hard drugs wrote me this comparison: "In my eyes cocaine doesn't hold a candle to this. I have done both. . . . Quitting even the hardest drugs was nothing compared to [trying to quit pornography]" (Elder Oaks; letter of Mar. 20, 2005).

   Suffice it to say that all who are involved become victims. Children are exploited, and their lives are severely damaged. The minds of youth become warped with false concepts. Continued exposure leads to addiction that is almost impossible to break. Men, so very many, find they cannot leave it alone. Their energies and their interests are consumed in their dead-end pursuit of this raw and sleazy fare. -- Pres. Hinckley

5. Affects adults and children

   “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. “ Elder Oaks

   • Adults
   • 20% of men access porn at work
   • 10 % of adults admit to having a sexual addiction
   • Children
   • 90% of 8-16 year olds have been exposed to porn on the internet (most while doing homework).
   • Average age of first exposure to porn is 11 years old.
   • Largest consumer of internet porn (2003) is 12-17 year olds.

6. Viewing of any type of pornography is a sin.

   “And sin it is. It is devilish. It is totally inconsistent with the spirit of the gospel, with personal testimony of the things of God, and with the life of one who has been ordained to the holy priesthood.” Pres. Hinckley

   “Some seek to justify their indulgence by arguing that they are only viewing "soft," not "hard," porn. A wise bishop called this refusing to see evil as evil. He quoted men seeking to justify their viewing choices by comparisons such as "not as bad as" or "only one bad scene." But the test of what is evil is not its degree but its effect. When persons entertain evil thoughts long enough for the Spirit to withdraw, they lose their spiritual protection and they are subject to the power and direction of the evil one. When they use Internet or other pornography for what this bishop described as "arousal on demand" (letter of Mar. 13, 2005), they are deeply soiled by sin.” Elder Oaks

7. Those who view pornography lose the “rights of the Priesthood”

   The immediate spiritual consequences of such hypocrisy are devastating. Those who seek out and use pornography forfeit the power of their priesthood. The Lord declares: "When we undertake to cover our sins, . . . behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man" (D&C 121:37). Elder Oaks

   Patrons of pornography also lose the companionship of the Spirit. Pornography produces fantasies that destroy spirituality. "To be carnally minded is death"—spiritual death (Romans 8:6; see also 2 Nephi 9:39). Elder Oaks

8. There is a way back

   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.

   1. Acknowledge the evil
   2. Seek the help of the Lord
   3. Avoid pornography at all costs. Don’t accommodate any degree of temptation.
   4. Do not use your purchasing power to support moral degradation.

   If there be any within the sound of my voice who are doing so, then may you plead with the Lord out of the depths of your soul that He will remove from you the addiction which enslaves you. And may you have the courage to seek the loving guidance of your bishop and, if necessary, the counsel of caring professionals. Let any who may be in the grip of this vise get upon their knees in the privacy of their closet and plead with the Lord for help to free them from this evil monster. Otherwise, this vicious stain will continue through life and even into eternity. Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught: "And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, . . . they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still" (2 Nephi 9:15–16). -- Pres. Hinckley

   Said the Lord: "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever" (D&C 121:45–46). How could any man wish for more? These supernal blessings are promised to those who walk in virtue before the Lord and before all men. How wonderful are the ways of our Lord. How glorious His promises. When tempted we can substitute for thoughts of evil thoughts of Him and His teachings. He has said: "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.