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Pornography

Pornography is any material depicting or describing the human body or sexual conduct in a way that arouses sexual feelings. It is distributed through many media, including magazines, books, television, movies, music, and the Internet. It is as harmful to the spirit as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are to the body. Using pornographic material in any way is a violation of a commandment of God: "Thou shalt not . . . commit adultery . . . nor do anything like unto it" (D&C 59:6). It can lead to other serious sins. Members of the Church should avoid pornography in any form and should oppose its production, distribution, and use.

Additional Information

Pornography is tragically addictive. Like other addictions, it leads people to experiment and to seek more powerful stimulations. Those who experiment with it and allow themselves to remain caught in its trap will find that it will destroy them, degrading their minds, hearts, and spirits. It will rob them of self-respect and of their sense of the beauties of life. It will tear them down and lead them to evil thoughts and possibly evil actions. It will cause terrible damage to their family relationships.

Because of the addictive nature of pornography and the harm it can cause to body and spirit, servants of God have repeatedly warned us to shun it. Those who are caught in the trap of pornography should stop immediately and seek help. Through repentance, those who have been addicted can receive forgiveness and find hope in the gospel. Bishops and branch presidents can provide counsel on how to overcome this problem. The Atonement of Jesus Christ can provide the needed healing as people prayerfully seek the Lord's help.

See also Chastity; Temptation

—See True to the Faith (2004), 117–18

Scripture References

Matthew 5:27–28; Romans 6:12; Alma 39:9; D&C 42:23

Church Magazine Articles

  • "Addicted to Romance Novels?"

    Ensign, Jul. 2003, 57–59
    I knew it was wrong to view pornographic images, but surely the racy books I was reading were harmless.

  • "Overpowering the Goliaths in Our Lives"

    Gordon B. Hinckley, Liahona, Feb. 2002, 2–6; or Ensign, Jan. 2002, 2–6
    Avoid pornography as you would a plague.

  • "Danger Ahead! Avoiding Pornography's Trap"

    Liahona, Oct. 2002, 12–17; or New Era, Oct. 2002, 34–39
    Why is pornography considered such a big deal? We let three young men tell their stories of entrapment, struggle, and despair. And of how they were finally rescued.

  • "Pornography, the Deadly Carrier"

    Thomas S. Monson, Liahona, Nov. 2001, 2–6; or Ensign, July 2001, 2–5
    We have the capacity and the responsibility to stand as a bulwark between all we hold dear and the fatal contamination of pornography.

  • "Breaking the Chains of Pornography"

    Ensign, Feb. 2001, 54–59
    A husband and wife share how his addiction to pornography shook the foundation of their marriage—and how they turned to the Lord for help.

  • "Blessed Are All the Pure in Heart"

    L. Whitney Clayton, Liahona, Nov. 2007, 51–53; or Ensign, Nov. 2007, 51–53
    May God bless our genuine efforts to be pure of heart and mind, that "virtue [may] garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly."

  • "You Can't Pet a Rattlesnake"

    David E. Sorensen, Liahona, July 2001, 48–50; or Ensign, May 2001, 41–42
    Pornography, though billed by Satan as entertainment, is a deeply poisonous, deceptive snake that lies coiled up in magazines, the Internet, and the television.

  • "The Sanctity of Womanhood"

    Richard G. Scott, Liahona, July 2000, 43–45; or Ensign, May 2000, 36–38
    Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, the telephone, or on a flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging.

  • "Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry"

    Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1998, 49–51
    Stay away from pornography as you would avoid a serious disease. It is as destructive.

  • "True to the Faith"

    Gordon B. Hinckley, Liahona, Sept. 1996, 2–10; or Ensign, June 1996, 2–8
    The makers and marketers of pornography grow wealthy while the character of their customers decays. Stay away from it. Stand above it.

  • "Being Clean Again"

    Ensign, Sept. 1996, 20–22
    I learned that I could overcome my weakness. When my wife and I left the bishop's office that evening, I felt as though I was freer than I had ever been in my whole life.

  • "When Shall These Things Be?"

    M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, Dec. 1996, 56–61
    In order to keep the light and love of Christ burning in our hearts, we have to be careful in our choices of what we will watch and what we will read. Pornography is rampant and is absolutely destructive.

  • "A Report and a Challenge"

    Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1976, 4–9
    We urge Latter-day Saints to get involved as citizens and fight obscenity.

  • "Pollution of the Mind"

    Robert L. Simpson, Ensign, Jan. 1973, 112–13
    Evidence is conclusive that mind-polluting pornography is just as addicting and just as devastating as Satan's other tools of destruction and degradation.

  • "Q&A: Questions and Answers"

    New Era, Aug. 2005, 16–18
    Pornography is ruining my life. But every time I try to quit looking at it, I fall again. What can I do?

  • "Pornography"

    Dallin H. Oaks, Liahona, May 2005, 87–90; or Ensign, May 2005, 87–90
    Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography.

  • "A Tragic Evil among Us"

    Gordon B. Hinckley, Liahona, Nov. 2004, 59–62; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 59–62
    [Pornography] is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful.

  • "The Enemy Within"

    James E. Faust, New Era, Mar. 2003, 4–8
    Pornography is as addictive as cocaine or any illegal drug.

Additional Online Materials