Capstone Practicum

1.


"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... Pornography is also addictive. It impairs decision-making capacities and it “hooks” its users, drawing them back obsessively for more and more."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks- General Conference April 2005 "Pornography" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng&query=pornography

2.

"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... The immediate spiritual consequences of such hypocrisy are devastating. Those who seek out and use pornography forfeit the power of their priesthood."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks- General Conference April 2005 “Pornography” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng&query=pornography

3.


“The Lord’s standard of worthiness gives no allowance for pornography among those officiating in the ordinances of the priesthood. Unworthily… participating in priesthood ordinances is, as Elder David A. Bednar has said, taking the name of God in vain.”
Elder Neil L. Anderson- General Conference October 2013 "Power in the Priesthood" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/power-in-the-priesthood?lang=eng&query=pornography

4.


"At first we scarcely realize we have been infected. We laugh and make light-hearted comment concerning the off-color story or the clever cartoon... Some persons struggle to differentiate between what they term “soft-core” and “hard-core” pornography. Actually, one leads to another. How applicable is Alexander Pope’s classic, “Essay on Man”: 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."
Thomas S. Monson- General Conference October 1979 "Pornography- The Deadly Carrier" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/10/pornography-the-deadly-carrier?lang=eng&query=pornography

5.


 "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... 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."
 Richard G. Scott- General Conference October 2009 "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng&query=pornography

6.


"Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone, or flickering personal computer screen... 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... Parents, be aware that the addiction of pornography can begin with youth at a very early age. Take preventative action to avoid that tragedy."
 Elder Richard G. Scott- General Conference October 2009 "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng&query=pornography

7.

"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...  We raise an alarm and warn members of the Church to wake up and understand what is going on. Parents, be alert, ever watchful that this wickedness might threaten your family circle."
Elder Boyd K. Packer- General Conference October 2010 "Cleansing the Inner Vessel" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng&query=pornography

8.


"Suppose a storm is raging and the winds howl and the snow swirls about you. You find yourself unable to stop it. But you can dress properly and seek shelter, and the storm will have no effect upon you. Likewise, even though the Internet is saturated with sleazy material, you do not have to watch it. You can retreat to the shelter of the gospel and its teaching of cleanliness and virtue and purity of life."
President Gordon B. Hinckley- General Conference October 2004 "A Tragic Evil Among Us" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/a-tragic-evil-among-us?lang=eng&query=pornography

9.

"The priesthood holds consummate power. It can protect you from the plague of pornography—and it is a plague—if you are succumbing to its influence. If one is obedient, the priesthood can show how to break a habit and even erase an addiction. Holders of the priesthood have that authority and should employ it to combat evil influences...
For those who truly desire it, there is a way back. Repentance is like unto a detergent. Even ground-in stains of sin will come out. 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."
Elder Boyd K. Packer- General Conference October 2010 "Cleansing the Inner Vessel" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng&query=pornography

10.

"Don’t accommodate any degree of temptation. Prevent sin and avoid having to deal with its inevitable destruction. So, turn it off! Look away! Avoid it at all costs. Direct your thoughts in wholesome paths. Remember your covenants and be faithful in temple attendance... an endowed priesthood bearer’s fall into pornography never occurs during periods of regular worship in the temple; it happens when he has become casual in his temple worship.
We must also act to protect those we love.. protections like filters on Internet connections and locating access so others can see what is being viewed. And we should build the spiritual strength of our families by loving relationships, family prayer, and scripture study...
Please heed these warnings. Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography that threatens our spirituality, our marriages, and our children."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks- General Conference April 2005 "Pornography" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/pornography?lang=eng&query=pornography

A recent experience at work demonstrated for me what these talks say about the damaging effects of pornography. I work at my location alone. The person before me spent his free time looking up pornography and downloading it onto the work computer. I did my best to clean it off the computer, but I couldn't get rid of all of it, and there was a negative feeling left there, even with the employee gone. That material sucks the spirit out of a place and leaves a terrible environment. Today we replaced the computer, and with the last of it gone the spirit of the place is so different, so much better. I believe that it is a poison- it changes people, and it has a negative effect on the places and people around them. My wife and I used this opportunity to talk about how we will protect our home and our children from this ever-growing poison in all forms of media.