6 Truths Mormons MUST Understand
To Win The War Against Porn

There is a porn pandemic, there is no doubt about it. Take a look in the wards and stakes of the church and you will find dozens of men and women who Satan has sidelined with this destructive habit. Satan is waging an all-out war against the Saints, his goal is simple, to stop members of the church from making or keeping temple covenants. He knows he loses the battle if we are a Temple going people.  If we want to win this war against pornography we need to realize and accept these 6 truths.

“These are “perilous times.” We battle literally for the souls of men. The enemy is unforgiving and relentless. He is taking eternal prisoners at an alarming rate. And he shows no sign of letting up.”
M. Russell Ballard

1st. Everyone Will Come Into Contact With Porn.

The first truth we must realize is that everyone will come into contact with porn. The average age that someone comes into contact with porn is 8 years old! We need to teach our youth two things.

First, the King David Rule. It is was not a sin to see Bathsheba by accident, it was a sin to not look away. Our youth need to understand it is not a sin to come into contact with porn by accident; if they follow the example of Joseph of Eygpt and flee!

Second, that they can talk to us. Often times when young kids see porn for the first time they are afraid. They think they’ve sinned, they hear how awful porn is and they are afraid to talk to their parents and leaders. Make yourself approachable. Porn is like cancer, early detection saves lives!

“do all that you can to avoid pornography. If you ever find yourself in its presence—which can happen to anyone in the world in which we live—follow the example of Joseph of Egypt. When temptation caught him in her grip, he left temptation and ‘got him out'”
Dallin H. Oaks

2nd. Men Are Not The Only Ones That Struggle With A Problem

One of the great lies I keep hearing in all my YSA wards is that “porn is a guy problem.” Whereas men do struggle with porn, a lot of the women in the church are struggling also. 50% of women in general, admit to watching porn weekly! I talked with a member of a Bishopric in Utah County and he told me that all of the Young Men and all except for ONE of their Young Women are currently struggling with porn.

Pornography takes many forms, not just visual stimulation. In literature, it is often seductive romance novels. Such novels give women unrealistic views on romance and love. Romance novels destroy love as much for women as pornographic images destroy it for men. Once we understand and accept that we are both in this war together, we can start combating porn on both fronts. It is harmful and not true to pretend this is only a guy problem.

“What are some of his tools? Seductive romance novels, TV soap operas, married women and old boyfriends connecting on social media, and pornography. We must be so careful, dear sisters! We cannot play with Satan’s fiery darts and not get burned.”
Linda S. Reeves

3rd. Spiritual Healing Is Possible.

Forgiveness is possible, Jesus Christ died to overcome ALL SIN, addictions to porn included. Whereas we often talk about the damaging effects of sexual sin, there is always hope. Pornographic addictions are serious, along with every sexual sin, avoid them at all costs. But if you have fallen into their trap as almost 50% of the Elders in my YSA wards have, remember that complete forgiveness is the promise of true repentance.

“there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ.”
President Boyd K. Packer

4th. Physical Healing Is Possible.

One of the most damning lies about Porn is this idea that you can’t ever be free from it. It is not true, all addictions scar our soul and mind, But Jesus Christ is the Master Healer. through repentance and recovery healing is possible. Porn is no different than any other addiction, your brain rewires itself to seek after it. Repentance and recovery will be hard, often times forgiveness from Jesus Christ will come before our minds fully heal themselves from the addiction and return to normal. But one’s brain can return to normal!
For more info see The LDS Church’s website Overcoming Pornography.

“The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the desires of our hearts can be transformed and our motives can be educated and refined.”
Elder Michael T. Ringwood

5th. When We Shame Others We Help Satan.

Satan can not undo the Atonement, Jesus Christ already performed it. But Satan wins the battle when we shame others and thereby deny the powers of the Atonement. By refuse to forgive the repentant sinner we commit a greater sin. Jesus Christ has taught:

Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
D&C 64:9

This is especially true in dating. I have heard many people in the church teach and say “you must find a boy (or girl) who has never looked at porn.” This idea is extremely damaging. It is one thing to say “Date someone who is temple worthy” It is another to propagate this idea of looking for someone who has never sinned.

“When something is over and done with, when it has been repented of … it is not right to go back and open up some ancient wound that the Son of God Himself died trying to heal. Let people repent. Let people grow.”
Jeffrey R. Holland.

6th. Love Kills Porn.

We talk a lot about how Porn Kills Love, Fight the New Drug has brought to light the damaging effects of porn. But that is only half the battle, what kills porn? Love, His love kills porn, our love kills porn. We are commanded to love one another, we can’t do this if we judge others. With love and support from leaders, peers, and coworkers anyone can repent and recover from pornography.

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
Mother Teresa