to have one day dedicated to keeping the Sabbath
day holy” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, 54).
President Howard W. Hunter
“Be faithful in your marriage covenants in thought,
word, and deed. Pornography, flirtations, and
unwholesome fantasies erode one’s character and
strike at the foundation of a happy marriage. Unity
and trust within a marriage are thereby destroyed.
One who does not control his thoughts and thus
commits adultery in his heart, if he does not repent,
shall not have the Spirit but shall deny the faith and
shall fear (see D&C 42:23; 63:16)” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1994, 67; or Ensign,Nov. 1994, 50).
President Gordon B. Hinckley
“As we have been reminded, this is a season of great
evil in the world. No one needs to be reminded of
that. We are constantly exposed to the muck and
filth of pornography, to salacious and evil behavior
totally unbecoming anyone who holds the priesthood
of God” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 68; or
Ensign,May 1999, 51).
“There is an ever-growing plague of pornography
swirling about us.... Many a man who has
partaken of forbidden fruit and then discovered
that he has destroyed his marriage, lost his self-
respect, and broken his companion’s heart, has
come to realize that the booby-trapped jungle trail
he has followed began with the reading or viewing
of pornographic material....
“Portrayals of sexual perversion, violence, and
bestiality become increasingly available for those
who succumb to their lures. As this happens,
religious activities are likely to become less attractive
because the two do not mix any more than oil and
water mix” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1983, 66–67;
or Ensign,Nov. 1983, 45).
“You need not be his victims. You can rise above
his wiles and entreaties. Get rid of the titillating
entertainment, the pornography that leads to evil
desires and reprehensible activity. Wives, look upon
your husbands as your precious companions and
live worthy of that association” (in Conference
Report, Apr. 1991, 98; or Ensign,May 1991, 74).
“You cannot afford in any degree to become involved
with pornography, whatever its form. You simply
cannot afford to become involved in immoral
practices—or to let down the bars of sexual restraint.
The emotions that stir within you which make boys
attractive to girls and girls attractive to boys are part
of a divine plan. But they must be restrained,
subdued, and kept under control, or they will
destroy you and make you unworthy of many of
the great blessings which the Lord has in store for
you” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 99; or
Ensign,May 1992, 71).
“Let me read to you from a letter I received from
a man ashamed to sign his name. He writes:
“‘I am a 35-year-old male and am a convert to the
Church of more than ten years. For most of my
adult life I have been addicted to pornography. I am
ashamed to admit this. My addiction is as real as
that of an alcoholic or a drug addict.
“‘I was first introduced to this material as a child.
I was molested by an older male cousin, and
pornography was used to attract my interest. I am
convinced that this exposure at an early age to sex
and pornography is at the root of my addiction
today. I think it is ironic that those who support the
business of pornography say that it is a matter of
freedom of expression. I have no freedom. I have
lost my free agency because I have been unable to
overcome this. It is a trap for me, and I can’t seem
to get out of it. Please, please, please, plead with the
brethren of the Church to not only avoid but
eliminate the sources of pornographic material in
their lives....
“‘Finally, President Hinckley, please pray for me and
others in the Church who may be like me to have
the courage and strength to overcome this terrible
affliction.’
“Brethren, there is neither happiness nor peace to
be gained from surrendering to the weakness of
indulging in these things which degrade and destroy.
When such material is on television, turn off the
set. Stop being a boob in front of the tube. Avoid
titillating videotapes as you would a foul disease.
They are in the same category. Stay away from
pornographic magazines and other destructive
literature. There is too much of good to see; there is
too much of wonderful reading to be experienced
to waste time and destroy character and willpower
in submitting to such destructive rot.
“Be strong—in standing for the right.We live in an age
of compromise and acquiescence. In situations with
which we are daily confronted, we know what is
right, but under pressure from our peers and thePORNOGRAPHY 265