Pornography

"Throughout your life you have seen the terrible consequences of incorrect choices individuals make that damage their lives and often hurt others. These events are usually called mistakes, lack of judgment, or human weakness. They are all accompanied by abundant self-justification. When viewed honestly, they are simply violations of the commandments of God that bring the tragic consequences He has warned will follow serious transgression." Richard G. Scott, The Power of Righteousness, General Conference, October 1998

"Since making the correct decisions is essential to attain your goals in life, consider how they should be made. There are two patterns for making decisions: the first I will call decisions based upon circumstance; the second, decisions based upon eternal truth...In time, one who makes decisions based upon circumstance is virtually assured to commit serious transgressions. There is no iron rod of truth to keep that person in the right way." Richard G. Scott, The Power of Righteousness, General Conference, October 1998

"In doing right you enlist the help of God to sustain you to be victorious. You need not fear the future. For you, it will be glorious as you continue to obey the laws of God. Not only will your worthiness bless you but also your eternal companion and children when those opportunities come." Richard G. Scott, The Power of Righteousness, General Conference, October 1998

"No one intends to make serious mistakes. They come when you compromise your standards to be more accepted by others. You be the strong one. You be the leader. Choose good friends and resist peer pressure together." Richard G. Scott, Making the Right Choices, General Conference, October 1994

"Above all, don’t feed thoughts by reading or watching things that are wrong. If you don’t control your thoughts, Satan will keep tempting you until you eventually act them out." Richard G. Scott, Making the Right Choices, General Conference, October 1994

"Sexual immorality creates a barrier to the influence of the Holy Spirit with all its uplifting, enlightening, and empowering capabilities. It causes powerful physical and emotional stimulation. In time that creates an unquenchable appetite that drives the offender to ever more serious sin." Richard G. Scott, Making the Right Choices, General Conference, October 1994

"“Outside the bonds of marriage, all uses of the procreative power are to one degree or another a sinful degrading and perversion of the most divine attribute of men and women”" Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” Ensign, Nov. 1993

"The key word is discipline—self-discipline. The word discipline comes from the word disciple or follower. Be a disciple/follower of the Savior, and you will be safe.

One or two of you may be thinking, “I am already guilty of this or that serious mistake. It is too late for me.” It is never too late." Boyd K. Packer, How to Survive in Enemy Territory, New Era, Apr. 2012

"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." Boyd K. Packer, General Conference, Oct, 2010

"Paul promised that “God … will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  You can, if you will, break the habits and conquer an addiction and come away from that which is not worthy of any member of the Church." Boyd K. Packer, General Conference, Oct, 2010

Pornography is a terrifying and powerful poison of the adversary. I almost always think of the story of Lehonti when looking for an example of what pornography is capable of. Amilikiah may have been truly evil, but it was Lehonti's compromise that ultimately led the bitter death and warfare that impacted both the Lamanites and Nephites. One compromise can and will lead to other, greater, more destructive compromises. It is one of the most insidious and "harmless" appearing sins that can lead a soul to the point of no return.