Pornography

·         “Pornographic or erotic stories and pictures are worse than filthy or polluted food.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Pornography (April 2005 General Conference)

·         “Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Pornography (April 2005 General Conference)

·         “…the good news is that no one needs to follow the evil, downward descent to torment.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Pornography (April 2005 General Conference)

·         “…do all that you can to avoid pornography.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Pornography (April 2005 General Conference)

·         “…there is no corresponding outcry or even a significant warning from society at large about pornography or immorality.” –Elder Quentin L. Cook in “Can Ye Feel So Now?” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “A United Nations report estimates that over two million children are victimized each year through prostitution and pornography.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Protect the Children” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “We cannot afford to have those who exercise the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God, waste their strength in pornography or spend their lives in cyberspace (ironically being of the world while not being in the world).” –Elder D. Todd Christofferson in “Brethren, We Have Work Enough to Do” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, drugs, the power of peer pressure—all these and more—cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams.” -“Believe, Obey, Hope, and Endure” (April 2012 General Conference)

·         “Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive.” -President Thomas S. Monson in “Preparation Brings Blessings” (April 2010 General Conference)  

·         “Curious exploration of pornography can become a controlling habit, leading to coarser material and to sexual transgression. Avoid pornography at all costs.” -President Thomas S. Monson in “Preparation Brings Blessings” (April 2010 General Conference)  

Position Statement:

I know that pornography can pop up anywhere, including on the internet and in real life. It can be extremely addicting, which is why we should avoid it as much as possible. Whenever we come across something online that seems to be inappropriate, we should immediately get rid of it. I also think that it’s important for parents and individuals to use a program that protects the internet and television from going to anything that seems inappropriate. These blocker programs may be annoying, but it can really help in the long run, because we are at least able to shield ourselves and family members from those forms of pornography that show up in the media. We can’t really control what other people do in their lives; pornography can even be exposed to us by suggestive dancing. In this case, I know that it’s important to get out of any bad situation as soon as we can. I know that Heavenly Father can and will help those who have been exposed to and/or addicted to pornography, as long there is sincere repentance involved.

The Atonement

·         “The atonement helps us become good in ways we never have imagined.” –Elder David A. Bednar in “In the Strength of the Lord” (Oct. 2004 General Conference)

·         “Our foremost gratitude should be for the Savior and His Atonement.” –Elder Quentin L. Cook in “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time” (Oct. 2008 General Conference)

·         True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. -Elder Richard G. Scott in “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness” (Oct. 2006 General Conference)

·         “It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life.” -Elder Richard G. Scott in “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness” (Oct. 2006 General Conference)

·         “If you have made mistakes, and all of us have, whether minor or serious, then you have an enormous need to find out how they can be erased so that you are no longer in darkness.” –President Boyd K. Packer in “The Atonement” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “‘By the atonement of Jesus Christ the sins of the repentant shall be washed away; though they be crimson they shall be made white as wool.’” –President Boyd K. Packer in “The Atonement” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “The Atonement was a selfless act of infinite, eternal consequence, arduously earned alone, by the Son of God.” -Elder Richard G. Scott in “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness” (Oct. 2006 General Conference)

·         “A mediator, a Redeemer, was chosen, one who would live His life perfectly, commit no sin, and offer ‘himself as a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.’” –President Boyd K. Packer in “The Atonement” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “‘[Jesus Christ] is the light and the life of the world.’ As we fix our gaze on His teachings, we will be guided to the harbor of spiritual safety.” –President Boyd K. Packer in “The Atonement” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “‘…Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” –President Boyd K. Packer in “The Atonement” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

Position Statement:

The atonement is part of Heavenly Father’s eternal plan for us and it was necessary in order for us to be able to return to live with Him. It’s a great feeling to know that we aren’t destined to the bonds of hell if we sin, because we were given agency and sometimes we aren’t going to make the right decisions. We can repent of our sins and return to live with Heavenly Father, if we so desire. It seems ridiculous to think that anyone would want to pass up this opportunity.

Repentance

·         “Plead for the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord to forgive wrongs, to overcome faults, and to strengthen relationships.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Divorce” (April 2007 General Conference)

·         “We should all ‘come unto Christ’ and be morally clean in order to claim all the blessings of love---His love for us, our love for Him, and a couple’s truest love for each other.” –Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments” (Jan. 1988 BYU Devotional)

·         “…were it nore for a merciful God and the treasured privilege of personal repentance, far too many would even now be feeling that hellish pain…” –Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments” (Jan. 1988 BYU Devotional)

·         “Oh, may we all be as clean and pure, ready to go before our Maker.” -Elder Bruce C. Hafen in “Crossing Thresholds and Becoming Equal Partners” (April 2007 General Conference)

·         “How hopeless life would be without the absolute assurance of justice centered in fixed laws that are the bedrock foundation of the Father’s plan.” Elder Richard G. Scott in “Finding Happiness” (Aug. 1997 BYU address)

·         “…repentance; the destination is forgiveness.” –Elder Richard G. Scott in “Finding Forgiveness” (April 1995 General Conference)

·         “Yet, unless the demands of justice are paid, each of us will suffer endless negative consequences.” –Elder Richard G. Scott in “Finding Forgiveness” (April 1995 General Conference)

·         “Sometimes the steps of repentance are initially difficult and painful, like the cleansing of a soiled garment. Yet, they produce purity, peace of mind, self-respect, hope, and finally, a new person with a renewed life and abundance of opportunity.” –Elder Richard G. Scott in “Finding Forgiveness” (April 1995 General Conference)

·         “The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to ‘re-turn’ toward God.” –Elder Neil L. Andersen in “ ‘Repent…That I May Heal You’” (Oct. 2009 General Conference)

·         “When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back toward God.” –Elder Neil L. Andersen in “ ‘Repent…That I May Heal You’” (Oct. 2009 General Conference)

Position Statement:

It’s such a great personal desire of mine to go spotless before Christ at my last day. It’s amazing to be able to know that when we are morally clean, we can claim all the blessings of love and that is such a wonderful gift that we have been given. We should never have the mindset of “I can do it now and repent later,” because that isn’t true repentance. True repentance takes a decision and true desire to not commit that sin again. None of us are perfect, but we should be striving towards the true perfection that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ hold. 

Trials

·         “And, brothers and sisters, the heavens are not closed. God speaks—to us individually and to the leaders of His latter-day kingdom on earth.” –Elder David A. Bednar in “In the Strength of the Lord” (Oct. 2004 General Conference)

·         “We are all subject to the conflict between good and evil and the contrast between light and dark, hope and despair.” –Elder David A. Bednar in “In the Strength of the Lord” (Oct. 2004 General Conference)

·         “In the strength of the Lord and through His grace, I know that you and I can be blessed to accomplish all things.” –Elder David A. Bednar in “In the Strength of the Lord” (Oct. 2004 General Conference)

·         “He wants you to know that you matter to Him.” –Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf in “You Matter to Him” (Oct. 2011 General Conference)

·         “This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving.” –Elder Quentin L. Cook in “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time” (Oct. 2008 General Conference)

·         “At times when we may feel to say, “Hope you know, I had a hard time,” we can be assured that He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.” –Elder Quentin L. Cook in “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time” (Oct. 2008 General Conference)

·         “Elder Harold B. Lee taught, ‘Sometimes the things that are best for us and the things that bring eternal rewards seem at the moment to be the most bitter, and the things forbidden are ofttimes the things which seem to be the more desirable.’” –Elder Quentin L. Cook in “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time” (Oct. 2008 General Conference)

·         “When our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, was asked on his birthday this past August what would be the ideal gift that members worldwide could give him, he said without a moment’s hesitation, ‘Find someone who is having a hard time, … and do something for them.’” –Elder Quentin L. Cook in “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time” (Oct. 2008 General Conference)

·         “Each one of us encounters unique challenges meant for growth.” –Elder Richard G. Scott in “Finding Forgiveness” (April 1995 General Conference)

·         “If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing.” –President Henry B. Eyring in “Mountains to Climb” (April 2012 General Conference)

“Footprints in the Sand”: One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you." Position Statement: We may sometimes feel like he isn’t there for us, but that’s only because Satan is putting that thought into our minds. We must ignore Satan and know that Heavenly Father is always there for us, ALWAYS. Trials are a part of life and they are meant to help us learn and grow. We should be thankful for trials, because they bring amazing opportunities into our lives for learning to take place. I know that I have been able to take something away from the trials that I experience and I hope to keep those things with me forever.