Quote 1

President Spencer W. Kimball has warned us of some of the dangers resulting from these exposures to degrading media:

"Certainly ... tragedy ... often begins with a visit to an [inappropriate] motion picture theater or fingering through an obscene magazine. The path to the grievous sins of fornication, adultery, and homosexuality can begin ... with the viewing of some of the sex- and violence-oriented programs now being shown on television, including network television" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, p. 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, p. 6).

Quote 2

President Kimball also warned about the evils of pornography found in every form of mass media: "There is a link between pornography and ... perversions. ... "It is ridiculous to imply that pornography has no effect. There is a definite relationship to crime. Murder, robbery, rape, prostitution, and commercialized vice are fed on this immorality. Sex crime statistics seem to reflect a relationship between crime and pornography" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 7; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 7).

Quote 3

President Spencer W. Kimball has described how this spiritual weakening takes place:

"Lucifer in his diabolical scheming deceives the unwary and uses every tool at his command. ... He will use his [1] logic to confuse and his [2] rationalizations to destroy. He will [3] shade meanings, [4] open doors an inch at a time, and [5] lead from purest white through all the shades of gray to the darkest black" ("President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality," Ensign, Nov. 1980, p. 94; numbering added).

Quote 4

"The great prophet Mormon, viewing his own fallen people, wrote his son Moroni a very telling indictment when he said that because of wickedness his people were 'past feeling.' (See.Moroni 9:20) How tragic to reach the point where the Spirit must withdraw, and we become unable to sense or feel right from wrong" (Marvin J. Ashton, in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, p. 109; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 72).

Scripture

Moro. 9:20

20 And now, my son, I dwell no longer upon this horrible scene. Behold, thou knowest the wickedness of this people; thou knowest that they are without principle, and past feeling; and their wickedness doth exceed that of the Lamanites.

Quote 5

"Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read. ... As John Wesley's mother counseled him: 'Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, ... increases the authority of the body over the mind.'

"The fact that a book is old does not necessarily make it of value. The fact that an author wrote one good work does not necessarily mean that all his books are worthy of your time. Do not make your mind a dumping ground for other people's garbage. It is harder to purge the mind of rotten reading than to purge the body of rotten food, and it is more damaging to the soul" ("In His Steps," in Speeches of the Year, 1979 [Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1980], p. 61).

Quote 6

Bishop H. Burke Peterson counseled us that "there should not be any [objectionable] movies that we participate in viewing or talking about. There must be no pornographic magazines, pictures, or stories. ... Do you have the courage to walk out of an off-color ... movie-or do you watch and listen, and suggest to yourself, 'This soon will pass,' or 'Everyone is doing it; it must be an acceptable type of entertainment'? Have you the courage to keep out of your home some television shows that are filled with suggestive sexual conversation-and even experiences? Have you thought lately how effective these shows are in piercing even the strongest spirits? ... We must not feed ourselves a diet of trash!" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, pp. 56-57; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, pp. 38-39; italics added).

Case Study 1

Diane was invited to a party with friends where a videocassette was to be shown. She found out ahead of time that the movie was of questionable quality and was able to persuade her hostess to change it. But on another occasion, Diane found herself in a situation where she had not known beforehand what the entertainment would be. It was a movie that had received excellent reviews in the newspaper and most of her friends had already seen it. They had all said that it was wonderful. Diane had heard that it included language, ideas, and scenes that she knew would embarrass her.

Case Study 2

One of Sarah's closest friends seemed constantly to be listening to her favorite radio station. One day their conversation drifted to the kind of music that particular station played continually. Sarah asked Mary why she listened to it when the words to much of the music suggested immorality of many kinds. Mary replied that she liked the beat and sounds of the music and did not pay much attention to the words anyway.

Case Study 3

A young man was in a big city for a school competition. His chaperon was ill, and he knew no one. He had an evening free, so he stayed in his hotel room and looked up the television listings. To his dismay, he learned that only a cable movie station was available, and it offered a suggestive movie. He spent the entire evening arguing with himself about whether he should watch it or not. It became a real battle of self-discipline trying to overcome the temptation to watch when no one would know. (See Jack Weyland, "The Quiet War," New Era, Oct. 1981, pp. 12-19).

Case Study 4

The father in one family telephoned the theater where a movie was playing that their family planned to see. He was told by the manager that it was "acceptable family entertainment." When they arrived, the very first scene was an explicit bedroom scene. The entire family walked out of the theater.

Case Study 5

Dan and Martha were trying to decide what to do one evening. Dan suggested seeing a movie. "That's fine with me, but I want to warn you that I walk out of movies that are below my standards," Martha replied.

Martha had obviously set a standard that she would not go beyond. What would a boy think of a girl who not only set such high standards, but actually kept them on a date when she risked offending her escort?

Quote 7

President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul" ("In His Steps," p. 60).

Point out that sometimes we are the only person viewing a television show or looking at a magazine rack in a grocery store. Ask the young women to remember what television shows they have watched when no one else was at home. Which of Lucifer's tools would the girls be using if they watched something objectionable in these circumstances?

Guidelines for Evaluating Media

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace. (Alexander Pope, "An Essay on Man," epistle 2, lines 217-21.)

Satan's Tools

Uses logic to confuse Uses rationalizations to destroy Will shade meanings Opens doors an inch at a time Leads from purest white through all the shades of gray to the darkest black. (See Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality," Ensign, Nov. 1980, p. 94.)

Standards to Judge Media

Whatever weakens your reason Whatever impairs the tenderness of your conscience Whatever obscures your sense of God Whatever takes off your relish for spiritual things Whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind (See Ezra Taft Benson, "In His Steps," Speeches of the Year, 1979 [Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1980], p. 61.)

How to Avoid Degrading Influences