Agency

·         “We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel.” Elder David A. Bednar in “Converted unto the Lord” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “With true participation, husband and wife emerge into the synergistic oneness of an ‘everlasting dominion’ that ‘without compulsory means’ will flow with spiritual life to them and their posterity ‘forever and ever.’” –Elder Bruce C. Hafen in “Crossing Thresholds and Becoming Equal Partners” (April 2007 General Conference)

·         “… ‘Follow the principles of the gospel---and the way will be opened up, ways that are unforeseen to you right now.” –Sister Tanner in “Roundtable Discussion” (Feb. 2008 Broadcast)

·         “You haven’t failed until you stop trying.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks in “Same-Gender Attraction” (Interview)

·         “When the Savior taught, the learner’s agency was paramount. He showed us not only what to teach but also how to teach…” –Elder Russell T. Osguthorpe in “One Step Closer to the Savior (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “Conversion is the goal of all gospel learning and teaching.” –Elder Russell T. Osguthorpe in “One Step Closer to the Savior (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “With your guidance, those you lead will be able to see, want, and believe they can achieve their full potential for service in God’s kingdom.” –President Henry B. Eyring in “Help Them Aim High” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “We know the Lord makes His servants bold.” –President Henry B. Eyring in “Help Them Aim High” (Oct. 2012 General Conference)

·         “The first gift that Adam and Eve received was agency: “Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee” –President Boyd K. Packer in “How to Survive in Enemy Territory” (Oct. 2012 Ensign)

·         “You can assert your agency, and he will have to leave you alone.” –President Boyd K. Packer in “How to Survive in Enemy Territory” (Oct. 2012 Ensign)

Position Statement:

Agency was given to us by Heavenly Father’s plan. Satan’s idea and plan was for us to be forced to do things, instead of having choices. He figured that everyone would then be doing what they are supposed to and that’s all that mattered to him. Heavenly Father, on the other hand, wanted us to learn things for ourselves and make our own choices. There are people in our lives that can be good influences on us and on the decisions we make. We can help guide others, but we should never force anyone into anything.

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.