Pornography

"In out day the dreadful influence of pornography is like unto a plaque 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."
(President Boyd K. Packer, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel", October 2010, General Conference)

"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."
(President Boyd K. Packer, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel", October 2010, General Conference)

"Strangely enough, it may be that the simplest and most powerful prevention and cure for pornography, or any unclean act, is to ignore and avoid it. Delete from the mind any unworthy thought that tries to take root. Once you have decided to remain clean, you are asserting your God-given agency. And then as President Smith counseled, 'Don't look back.'"
(President Boyd K. Packer, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel", October 2010, General Conference)
 
"Our Heavenly Father has counseled us to seek after 'anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.' Whatever you read, listen to, or watch makes an impression on you.
      "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."
(President Thomas S. Monson, "Preparation Brings Blessings", April 2010 General Conference Priesthood Session)

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.
 (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Press On", October 2004 General Conference)

"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."
(President Boyd K. Packer, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel", October 2010, General Conference)

"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 and a terribly immoral, addictive habit exercises its vicious control."
(Elder Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", October 2009 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."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography", April 2005 General Conference)

"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]” (letter of Mar. 20, 2005)."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography", April 2005 General Conference)

"My brethren who are caught in this addiction or troubled by this temptation, there is a way.

First, acknowledge the evil. Don’t defend it or try to justify yourself. For at least a quarter century our leaders have pleaded with men, and also with women and children, to avoid this evil. Our current Church magazines are full of warnings, information, and helps on this subject—with more than a score of articles published or to be published this year and last year alone.

Second, seek the help of the Lord and His servants. Hear and heed President Hinckley’s words:

“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” (Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 62).

Third, 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 of 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)

"While the matter of which I speak was a problem then, 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."
(President Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Tragic Evil Among Us", October 2004 General Conference)

"[Pornography] is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful."
(President Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Tragic Evil Among Us", October 2004 General Conference Priesthood Session)

"Hence, I warn against pornography. It is degrading of women. It is evil. It is infectious, destructive, and addictive. The body has means by which it can cleanse itself from harmful effects of contaminated food or drink. But it cannot vomit back the poison of pornography. Once recorded, it always remains subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind, with power to draw you away from the wholesome things in life. Avoid it like the plague!"
(Elder Russell M. Nelson, "Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women", April 1999 General Conference Priesthood Session)

"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."
(President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry", April 1998 General Conference General Priesthood Session)

"Pornography is not a victimless crime. Who are its victims? First, those who either intentionally, or sometimes involuntarily, are exposed to it. Pornography is addictive. What may begin as a curious exploration can become a controlling habit. Studies show that those who allow themselves to become drawn to pornography soon begin to crave even coarser content. Continued exposure desensitizes the spirit and can erode the conscience of unwary people. A victim becomes a slave to carnal thoughts and actions. As the thought is father to the deed, exposure can lead to acting out what is nurtured in the mind."
(Elder David B. Haight, "Personal Morality", October 1984 General Conference)

"...let each of us resolve this day to keep our minds, our bodies, and our spirits free from the corrupting influence of pornography, including everything that is obscene and indecent. Let it have no place in our homes, our minds, or our hearts."
(Elder David B. Haight, "Personal Morality", October 1984 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."
(President Spencer W. Kimball, "A Report and a Challenge", October 1976 General Conference)

Position Statement

Pornography really is an unpleasant thing and that is putting it very lightly. I am sadden by how easy it is to get or see and I am also sadden that some people don't think twice about whether they should look at it or not it almost seems to be a natural thing to some people in the world as something that you just do when you reach puberty. I know that it is an unpleasant thing and I know of marriages that have been close or have been ruined because of the evil clutch that it has on some peoples minds. Also I know that you have to ever keep up your wall around it and I think that it is perfectly okay to walk out of a movie with even the slightest bit of pornography or to close a book or a magazine if you think that it is close to pornography even if it dramatically cuts down how many movies, books, or magazines you see or read.  I have been given a hard time because some of my friends think that I am overly sensitive to it but I rather be over sensitive to it then to be desensitized to it. I know that as we keep our minds clean of this garbage that we can build a closer relationship with Heavenly Father and that I have received many blessings from keeping myself away from it.