Protection From Pornography

We live in a world where pornography is increasingly being viewed as the "cool" thing to do.  No matter where you turn you are faced with the issue of pornography.  So how do we live in a world where this is becoming acceptable while living a life where it is unacceptable?

The answer seems like an easy one...simply avoid it, put up protection against it.

We all wish it was that easy to protect ourselves some pornography, the truth of it is, pornography is growing increasingly harder to avoid, and protection is getting thin.

It seems as though you can't turn on your tv without a show being more risqué than you'd like, or a commercial having someone scantily clad on screen.  Billboards aren't much better, and the magazine stand at the grocery store is cluttered with close to pornographic images.  The internet and social media is a completely different story. We have ways to make the internet a little more safer for ourselves and our children, but that doesn't mean that we are free from the traps of pornography.

How can we encourage our families to walk away from the trap of pornography? How can we keep our marriage and our family safe?

First, talk about it. This isn't a subject that can be pushed to the back burner anymore. You need to be open and honest about it.  With yourself, your spouse, and your children.  You and your spouse need to have open communication about whether you have ever viewed pornography (willingly or accidentally).  Help each other work through problems if you have.  Your children need to know that they can come to you without fear of judgement if they come across this.  If they know that they can come to you from the beginning you will be more likely to stop them from viewing it again.

Second, put up those walls.  While they may not block every attack sent at you, they will do a better job than not having a wall up at all.  Imagine it as a war zone.  Pornography is the enemy, and you are the good guys.  Pornography is shooting at you and you have a choice between an open field or gunshot ridden wall, which do you choose?  You hide behind the wall, even though it is covered in holes, it will still offer some protection.

Third, increase your spiritual protection.  Make sure that the spirit is able to reside in your home, to help fight off other attacks.  Read scriptures as a family, pray as a family, study the words of modern day prophets. Do those things which would invite the spirit into your home.

Fourth, remember that pornography can come in various types of media. It can be an image on the computer, a movie found on Netflix, a song on the radio, and a book on the library shelf.  I think we sometimes forget that it can come in all forms of media, so we guard ourselves against somethings, but not the other.  We need to arm ourselves against everything. If you have a book that could lead to something worse, or your music choice isn't wholesome, consider changing it before you get too far off the path.