The LDS Newsroom presents: "Dealing with Bad News"

[_Darth J]

15 March 2012

Church Statement Regarding 'Deseret News' Article on Internet Porn and Utah

SALT LAKE CITY--The Church issued the following statement today in response to news media requests:

In 2009, the Deseret News reported that Utah has the highest rate of paid online porn subscriptions in America. Since that article was printed in the Deseret News and other media outlets, some have jumped to speculative conclusions about what this says about Latter-day Saints. Such persons have also misrepresented the Church's teachings in their statements. It is unfortunate that the Church was not given a chance to respond to what others said.

Since its earliest days, the Church has encouraged its members to be responsible, self-reliant, and economically self-sufficient. When the worldwide economic downturn began in 2008, the Church reminded its members to follow the old adage, ""Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." And that advice certainly applies to viewing online pornography. Members of the Church believe that financial responsibility should always be kept in mind when choosing what kind of pornography we are willing to pay for. As President Thomas S. Monson taught in the November 2002 issue of the Ensign, "We must not allow our yearnings to exceed our earnings."

These teachings about financial responsibility go hand-in-hand with another important principle of the gospel: honesty. The Lord told the ancient Israelites, "Thou shalt not steal." When we take products or services from others without paying for them, we are stealing. We are stealing their livelihoods and their work. As one Church leader has observed, "Stealing is a sin against our Heavenly Father even when motivated by need and poverty. The act dishonors God (see Prov. 30:9). Conversely, the honest man who chooses not to steal, even under stressful circumstances, shows trust in God. He is conscious of his covenant relationship with the Lord and chooses to sustain it."

No matter how much we need or want something, it is wrong to take it without paying for it. Further, the Lord has commanded His followers to be wise in how they use the resources they have been blessed with. We condemn dishonesty, which includes stealing, and we are pleased that so many of our members recognize the need to be honest in their dealings with their fellow men.

[_The Mighty Builder]

Well Stated Mormon church. Paying an honest tithe and honorably paying for Porn are true earmarks of a faithful LDS.

[Guest]

Edited due to problems with reading comprehension.
Well done, Darth J

[_moksha]

... The Church reminded its members to follow the old adage, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." And that advice certainly applies to viewing online pornography.

Hold to the iron rod Brethren when you must do without. Look to the pictures, make it do, use it up and wear it out - 'til the cycle begins anew.

[_Fence Sitter]

The Mormon Onion strikes again.

[_just me]

Laughing my blessed ass off.

[_bcspace]

Such persons have also misrepresented the Church's teachings in their statements.

[_sock puppet]

... The Church reminded its members to follow the old adage, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

Was the ZCMI Center on South Temple and Main Street worn out?

How about the Crossroads Plaza just to the west of the ZCMI Center?

Is the City Creek Mall a case of the Brethren 'making it do or doing without'?

Or is City Creek Mall another example of the Quorum of the Hypocrites telling members one thing, but directing "the Church" to do another?

[_Chap]

Darth J is a very naughty boy.

Very ..... naughty....

[_DarkHelmet]

LOL. You had me going until the end of the second paragraph. Good job.