IQB: Spencer W. Kimball on pornography

I was tooling around on Facebook this afternoon and found a quote that jumped out at me(most likely because of the wildly, ridiculous picture attached). I had to go to LDS.org and search out the actual Conference talk it referenced. I was so grateful that I did! The talk was from President Spencer W. Kimball.

The talk titled "God Will Not Be Mocked", given in General Conference, October 1974, is a superb outline of the moral and social expectations of a Latter-Day Saint. I found much of it that I wanted to highlight, and I probably will go back to it for other IQB topics, there are so many important ones. Since I don't like this particular topic (a requirement, not a choice) for this assignment, I was pleased to be reminded of President Kimball's extensive amount of warnings against it's practice and the dangers it presents in our society. The following quote is directed to parents and leaders:

"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 statistics seem to reflect a relationship between crime and pornography." (Spencer W. Kimball, God Will Not Be Mocked, General Conference October 1974)

I realize that this is a rather satirical graphic for such a serious subject matter. However, when I saw it, I was shocked and reminded that the degenerate effects of pornography really are extreme. I do not like to think about pornography or it's disgusting infiltration of our society. I also know that I HAVE to be aware of its prevalence and help my family develop skills to guard against it's poison. In the last few years, I have had a mantra that I repeat whenever I need to explain the "why's" of various media restrictions to my children. "There are just some things you can't unlearn or unsee." I am grateful for our Prophets and Apostle's, both past and present, who have given me the tools to help my children grow strong, healthy, and stalwart in the Gospel.

Another excerpt from President Kimball's talk:

 "We hope that our parents and leaders will not tolerate pornography...

We pray with our Lord that we may be kept from being in the world. It is sad that decent people are thrown into a filthy area of mental and spiritual pollution. We call upon all of our people to do all in their power to offset this ugly revolution....

It is utterly without redeeming social value. We urge our families to protect their children in every way possible." (Spencer W. Kimball, God Will Not Be Mocked, General Conference October 1974)

An unexpected rant....

This excerpt from Elder Boyd K. Packer's speech (What Every Freshman Should Know), to graduates of University of Utah in 1973, was quite interesting. I have always loved Shakespeare and I have also, long felt the 'higher education system' strips the innocence away from our youth. Mainly, my biggest concerns are with the increasingly, progressive curriculum and overtly, liberal leaning professors who use academia to distort the truths which have been taught in the childhood homes of wide-eyed Freshmen. *Disclaimer: Please do not think I feel this way about all professors, this is a result of the experiences I have had in my own education, as well as those of close friends and family members.

What Every Freshman Should Know is a powerful talk. I feel there are some important points which, considering the date it was given and looking at our own societal turmoil, I feel are deeply prophetic. I will try to highlight a few but strongly urge the reader to study the excerpt for themselves.

Dissenters:

Be assured that one who strives to widen the breadth of accepted moral conduct does so to condone what he is doing. Not infrequently you will find him unworthy. If he derides spiritual development, it can generally be concluded that he has failed in the subject. He defends himself by declaring it an unnecessary discipline. He is the one to ridicule faith and humility, to smile in contempt when anyone mentions virtue, or reverence, or dedication, or morality.

Let me give you a clue. There is something very interesting about a person who is anxious to forsake the standards of his church, particularly if he leaves them and encourages others to do likewise.

 Speaking of the treasonous Iago (Othello) :

You may meet an Iago one day. Through innuendo and sly remarks, through an inflection or a question, in mock innocence he might persuade you to kill your faith, to throttle your patriotism, to tamper with drugs, to abandon morality and chastity and virtue. If you do, you have an awakening as terribly tragic as that of Othello.

This is the man that ridicules belief in a hereafter and says there is no such thing as God. He’d better hope he is right. For if, as some of us know, the opposite is true, the final scene will be his, and justice more than poetic and penalties adequate in every way will be exacted from him.

Ultimately we are punished quite as much by our sins as we are for them. (Boyd K. Packer, What Every Freshman Should Know University of Utah Commencement 1973)

Patriotism and Political Correctness:

Some years ago a plaintiff prospered in her grievance concerning the saying of prayers in public schools. The practice was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The decision was partial. The effect was to offer great encouragement to those who would erase from our society every trace of reference to the Almighty.

She wanted to protect her son from any contact with religion. Her son is protected from my type of religion—my son is exposed to hers.

There is a crying need for the identification of atheism for what it is, and that is, a religion—albeit a negative one, nevertheless it is a religious expression. It is the one extreme end of the spectrum of thought concerning the causation of things.  (Boyd K. Packer, What Every Freshman Should Know University of Utah Commencement 1973)

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Remember, there are some rights and wrongs. We must come to understand that there are basic truths and basic principles, basic conformities necessary to achieve happiness. There are some things that are false, that are wrong. We cannot be happy and at once be wicked. Never, regardless of how generally accepted that course may be.

If it were printed in every book, run on every news press, set forth in every magazine; if it were broadcast on every frequency, televised from every station, declared from every pulpit, taught in every classroom, advocated in every conversation, still it would be wrong. Wickedness never was happiness, neither indeed can it be, neither indeed ever will it be. (Boyd K. Packer, What Every Freshman Should Know University of Utah Commencement 1973)

 And ultimately, the strong reminder of how we ought to respond to infringements upon our God-given rights:

I declare in favor of full academic freedom. If prayer is to leave our schools, let the ridicule of prayer leave also. I speak for humility, for faith, for reverence, for brotherhood, for charity, for patriotism. I speak for temperance, and I likewise speak for justice. (Boyd K. Packer, What Every Freshman Should Know University of Utah Commencement 1973)

 It is vitally important for us to stand firm in our standards, to hold strong to our faith, to pledge openly our devotion to God, Country, and Family. If it were imperative for a servant of God to preach this to a graduating class, how much more crucial is it for us to follow this counsel now? We cannot back down to those who would bully us or shame us for doing that which our Heavenly Father instructs us to do.

Hope from an Apostle:

 Take with you your faith, your patriotism, your virtue. If they are battered a bit, carry them away with you nevertheless. They can be renewed. You will come to know in the years ahead that life has precious little to offer without them. (Boyd K. Packer, What Every Freshman Should Know University of Utah Commencement 1973)

Our children look to us, depend on us, to remain vigilant and to prepare them adequately for the onslaught which awaits them, in the world. the way to accomplish this is by following the counsel of those, loving servants, send from the Father to watch over and guide our day.

Russell M. Nelson quotes

These are a few more entries for my Inspirational Quote Book assignment for the BYU-Idaho Pathway Program. I decided to pick an apostle from the Twelve, Russell M. Nelson, whom I have always enjoyed listening to during conferences. As you will see, I found a wonderful amount of "quotable" insights in his talks.


SCRIPTURES

"In His great love, He did not leave us alone. He provided a guide—a spiritual road map—to help us achieve success in our journey. We call that guide the standard works, so named because they—the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price—constitute the standard by which we should live."  Living By Scriptural Guidance, October Conf. 2000
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"We begin with a determination to “liken all scriptures unto us … for our profit and learning.” If we “press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, … [we] shall have eternal life.” To feast means more than to taste. To feast means to savor. We savor the scriptures by studying them in a spirit of delightful discovery and faithful obedience. When we feast upon the words of Christ, they are embedded “in fleshy tables of the heart.” They become an integral part of our nature."  Living By Scriptural Guidance, October Conf. 2000

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OBEDIENCE

“Danger lurks when we divide ourselves with expressions such as “my private life,” “my professional life,” or even “my best behavior.” Living life in separate compartments can lead to internal conflict and exhausting tension....Inner peace comes only as we maintain the integrity of truth in all aspects of our lives. When we covenant to follow the Lord and obey His commandments, we accept His standards in every thought, action, and deed.” Living By Scriptural Guidance, October Conf. 2000 
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FAMILY

“Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God (see Matt. 19:6).” Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006

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"Worldly trends to define marriage in some other way would sadly serve to destroy the institution of marriage. Such schemes are contrary to the plan of God."Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006
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"Children born of that marital union are “an heritage of the Lord.” Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself."Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006
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"Fathers, you understand the principle of temporal self-reliance and try to provide for a year’s supply, stored at home. Please also consider the need for spiritual food and self-reliance—not just for a year, but for a lifetime—also stored at home. A worthy father should have first opportunity to administer a blessing to members of his family. As time moves on, his sons may then draw from that spiritual reservoir, worthy to administer to their own families and to their parents." Honoring the Priesthood, April Conf. 1993
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 "Time for scripture study requires a schedule that will be honored. Otherwise, blessings that matter most will be at the mercy of things that matter least. Time for family scripture study may be difficult to establish. Years ago when our children were at home, they attended different grades in several schools. Their daddy had to be at the hospital no later than 7:00 in the morning. In family council we determined that our best time for scripture study was 6:00 A.M. At that hour our little ones were very sleepy but supportive. Occasionally we had to awaken one when a turn came to read. I would be less than honest with you if I conveyed the impression that our family scripture time was a howling success. Occasionally it was more howling than successful. But we did not give up." Living By Scriptural Guidance, October Conf. 2000 

PRIESTHOOD 

"Priesthood authority has been restored so that families can be sealed eternally. So brethren, your foremost priesthood duty is to nurture your marriage—to care for, respect, honor, and love your wife. Be a blessing to her and your children." Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006
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"This is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He who stands at the head of His restored Church so ordered His priesthood “that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.” (D&C 1:20.) Remarkable! He chose to honor us with His priesthood. So we honor Him by honoring His priesthood—both its power and those who bear it. By so doing, men, women, and children throughout the world will be blessed. Honoring the priesthood fosters respect, respect promotes reverence, and reverence invites revelation."  Honoring the Priesthood, April Conf. 1993

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"In contrast, the kingdom of God is governed by the authority of the priesthood. It is not conferred for honor, but for a ministry of service. Priesthood titles are not created by man; neither are they for adornment, nor do they express mastership. They denote appointment to service in the work of the Lord. We are called, sustained, and ordained—not by ourselves, but “by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”" Honoring the Priesthood, April Conf. 1993

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“Elder” is a sacred title shared by all who bear the Melchizedek Priesthood." Honoring the Priesthood, April Conf. 1993

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"May I offer counsel of a general nature, first with comments about General Authorities. We recognize them as instruments in the hand of the Lord, yet realize that they are ordinary human beings. They require haircuts, laundry services, and occasional reminders just like anyone else."  Honoring the Priesthood, April Conf. 1993

PORNOGRAPHY

"For example, we marvel at computers and the Internet that enable transmission of data with remarkable speed. We are truly grateful for these electronic servants. But if we let them take over our time, pervert our potential, or poison our minds with pornography, they cease being servants and become instead false gods." Living By Scriptural Guidance, October Conf. 2000 
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" Because it is ordained of God, the intimate physical expressions of married love are sacred. Yet all too commonly, these divine gifts are desecrated. If a couple allows lewd language or pornography to corrupt their intimacy, they offend their Creator while they degrade and diminish their own divine gift." Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006
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"A husband’s foremost priority should be the care of his wife. Be true to her. Don’t ever allow your eyes to gaze upon pornography or let your language be lewd. The very choices made by reason of agency limit one’s agency in the future. You cannot exercise agency and escape accountability and responsibility for each choice." Personal Priesthood Responsibility, October 2003

VIRTUE

"True happiness is predicated upon personal purity."Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006
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"Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation."Nurturing Marriage, April Conf. 2006

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