Pornography

I chose this quote because I think it is so true. We constantly hear the argument from people that it's their right and they aren't hurting anyone else. Completely false. 
"At first we scarcely realize we have been infected. We laugh and make lighthearted comment concerning the off-color story or the clever cartoon. With evangelical zeal we protect the so-called rights of those who would contaminate with smut and destroy all that is precious and sacred. The beetle of pornography is doing his deadly task—undercutting our will, destroying our immunity, and stifling that upward reach within each of us."
- President Thomas S. Monson, "Pornography, the Deadly Carrier," July 2001, Ensign.

I chose this quote so I could use it to teach my children about desensitization. 
“Avoid any semblance of pornography. It is dangerous and addictive. If you continue to view pornography, your spirit will become desensitized and your conscience will erode.”
- President Thomas S. Monson, “Great Expectations,” CES fireside for young adults, Jan. 11, 2009.



I like that Elder Scott specifies obscene lyrics in this quote. Although you are not seeing an image, the thoughts and words will drive away the Spirit and make us more vulnerable.  
"One of the most damning influences on earth, one that has caused uncountable grief, suffering, heartache, and destroyed marriages, is the onslaught of pornography in all of its vicious, corroding, destructive forms. Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, the telephone, or on a flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging."
- Elder Richard G. Scott,  “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9.



I am painfully aware of the danger my children are facing. I chose this so I donut forget to speak to my younger kids as well. 
"Parents, be aware that the addiction of pornography can begin with youth at a very early age. Take preventative action to avoid that tragedy. Stake presidents and bishops, warn of this evil. Invite anyone you consider captured by it to come to you for help."
- Elder Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 9.



This quote makes me imagine Satan slowly winding us with flaxen cord. Seemingly innocent at first, until we are so trapped we can't move.  
 "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."
- Elder Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 8–9.



I chose this because it reminds us "what" pornography does and "why" it is destructive.
"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."

- Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography," General Conference, Apr. 2005.

This is a powerful quote and warning. 

"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."
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography," General Conference, Apr. 2005.



I chose this quote to teach my boys the difference between love and lust, helping them understand that pornography is not, nor will ever be love. 
"If we stop chopping at the branches of this problem and strike more directly at the root of the tree, not surprisingly we find lust lurking furtively there. Lust is an unsavory word, and it is certainly an unsavory topic for me to address, but there is good reason why in some traditions it is known as the most deadly of the seven deadly sins."
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul," General Conference, Apr. 2010.

I really like that Elder Cook points out that when one participates in pornography, they are also deceiving themselves and others. 

"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."
- Elder Quentin L. Cook, "What E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part: Avoid Wearing Masks That Hide Identity,"CES Devotional, BYU-I,  March 4, 2012.

I chose this quote because one cannot simply say "I didn't do it on purpose." They consciously make a choice to entertain or reject it. 

"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.”
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Recognizing God’s Hand in Our Daily Blessings," Liahona, Jan. 2012.