AVOIDING DEGRADING MEDIA INFLUENCES

Universal Warning Symbol for Poison

What shows or advertising are you exposed to on a day to day basis?

What effect do they have on you?

Lucifer in his diabolical scheming deceives the unwary and uses every tool to his command…

1) Logic to confuse

2) Rationalizations to destroy3) Shade meanings

4) Open doors an inch at a time5) Lead from the purest white through all the shades of gray to the darkest black

The great prophet Mormon, viewing his own fallen people, wrote his son Moroni a very

telling indictment when he said that because of wickedness his

people were ‘past feeling.’ (See Moroni 9:20) How tragic to reach the point where the Spirit must withdraw, and we

become unable to sense or feel right from wrong” (Marvin J.

Ashton)

Ezra Taft Benson’s standards to judge media-- Avoid

1) Logic to confuse 1) Whatever weakens your reason

2) Rationalizations to destroy

2) Impairs the tenderness of your conscience

3) Shade meanings 3) Obscures your sense of God

4) Open doors an inch at a time

4) Takes off your relish for spiritual things

5) Lead from the purest white through all the shades of gray to the darkest black

5) Increases the authority of the body over the mind

The fact that a book is old does not necessarily make it of value. The fact that an author wrote one good work does not necessarily mean that all his books are worthy of your time. Do not make your mind a dumping ground for other people’s garbage. It is harder to purge the mind of rotten reading than to purge the body of rotten food, and it is more damaging to the soul. –Ezra Taft Benson

There should not be any[objectionable] movies that we participate in viewing or talking about. There must be no pornographic magazines, pictures, or stories.

1) Logic to confuse 1) Whatever weakens your reason

Do you have the courage to walk out of an off-color … movie—or do you watch and listen, and suggest to yourself, ‘This soon will pass,’ or ‘Everyone is doing it; it must be an acceptable type of entertainment’? 

2) Rationalizations to destroy

2) Impairs the tenderness of your conscience

Have you the courage to keep out of your home some television showsthat are filled with suggestive sexual conversation—and even experiences?

3) Shade meanings 3) Obscures your sense of God

Have you thought lately how effective these shows are in piercing even the strongest spirits? 

4) Open doors an inch at a time

4) Takes off your relish for spiritual things

5) Lead from the purest white through all the shades of gray to the darkest black

5) Increases the authority of the body over the mind

Case study #1 Diane was invited to a party with friends where a

video was to be shown. She found out ahead of time that the movie was of questionable quality, and she was able to persuade her hostess to change it. But on another occasion, Diane found herself in a situation where she had not known beforehand what the entertainment would be. It was a movie that had received excellent reviews in the newspaper, and most of her friends had already seen it. They had all said that it was wonderful. Diane had heard that it included language, ideas, and scenes that she knew would embarrass her.

Case study #2 One of Sarah’s closest friends seemed

constantly to be listening to her favorite radio station. One day their conversation drifted to the kind of music that particular station played. Sarah asked Mary why she listened to it when the words to much of the music suggested immorality of many kinds. Mary replied that she liked the beat and sounds of the music and did not pay much attention to the words anyway.

Case study #3 A young man was in a big city for a school

competition. His chaperon was ill, and he knew no one. He had an evening free, so he stayed in his hotel room and looked up the television listings. To his dismay, he learned that only a cable movie station was available, and it offered a suggestive movie. He spent the entire evening arguing with himself about whether he should watch it or not. It became a real battle of self-discipline trying to overcome the temptation to watch when no one would know. 

Some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within

the silent chambers of your

own soul.-Ezra Taft Benson