The Plague of the 21st Century

Ezra Taft Benson said, "The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality. This, the Prophet Joseph said, would be the source of more temptations, more buffetings, and more difficulties for the elders of Israel than any other."

David O. McKay said, "Infidelity and sexual immorality are two principal evils that threaten to weaken and to wreck present-day civilization."

J. Reuben Clark said, "Our very civilization itself is based upon chastity, the sanctity of marriage, and the holiness of the home. Destroy these and Christian man becomes a brute."

I have found similar quotes by Neal A. Maxwell, Howard W. Hunter, Spencer W. Kimball, Dallin H. Oaks, Boyd K. Packer, and many others.

We built our house in the year 2000. Since then we have known of at least a dozen couples in our ward who have divorced or separated due to infidelity...which sometimes stemmed from viewing pornography. And I'm not the bishop of the ward, so there could be WAY more than that. When I meet bishops, or have the pleasure of talking to a bishop from any ward, I usually get around to asking them this question: "What percentage of your young men have problems or addictions with pornography?" Without fail, they have all said, "The Majority." In some cases, it's the VAST majority.

Comment: Chastity is more than just sexual purity. It is complete and utter fidelity to our wives in heart, mind, and motive. (D&C 42:22)

Howard W. Hunter: "A man who holds the priesthood shows perfect moral fidelity to his wife and gives her no reason to doubt his faithfulness. A husband is to love his wife with all his heart and cleave unto her and none else (see D&C 42:22-26)." President Spencer W. Kimball explained: "The words 'none else' eliminate everyone and everything. The spouse then becomes pre-eminent in the life of the husband or wife and neither social life nor occupational life nor political life nor any other interest nor person nor thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse."

The next questions can also be used as a guide to test the effective functioning of your marriage. If you answer 'yes' to any question, explore the subject with your husband/wife, and see the bishop or a professional counselor if you feel it necessary.

1. Are you getting bored in your marriage?
2. Do you sometimes dislike the company of your spouse?
3. Do you frequently disagree about many important aspects of your marriage, your family, or each other?
4. Do you complain to others about your spouse or criticize him or her in the company of others?
5. Do you often have negative feelings about your spouse, or feelings of being misunderstood, neglected, or not appreciated?
6. Are you frequently alone with a man or woman that is not your spouse?
7. Have you developed strong affectionate feelings for someone outside your marriage?

Not sure if I came up with this, or if this next quote was from a Conference address, but here goes...Our Heavenly Father expects us to progress in our marriages during mortality. It is not a sound decision then, to postpone working on the marriage, assuming that the next life will automatically heal its faults. We’ll have new plans and goals then, and it’s very doubtful that the ability to simply tolerate an unsatisfying marriage in this life will enhance our spiritual readiness for the life to come.

What, then, is the cure for this plague? This plague which can infect you, simply by viewing it's filth? My answer is this: Consistent Patterns of Righteous Living.

It means regular temple attendance, daily prayer, daily scripture study, regular fasting, weekly church attendance.

But I tell you this, my dear readers, the day is fast approaching when those items listed will be the MINIMUM requirement to pass through this 'portent of stormy weather' as prophesied by Gordon B. Hinckley. If you are doing those basic things, you might pass the test with a D- grade. You may make it, but you will not be unscathed. It will take much greater spirituality and consistency to overcome and beat the devil at his game. You'll want to add Family Home Evening, Home/Visiting Teaching, and Magnifying Your Calling to the list, to name only a few.

[Sunday School lesson over]