The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(5/17/98)
"The wonder of television causes me to believe that Philo T.
Farnsworth, back in 1927, must surely have been inspired of
the Lord to develop this remarkable medium of communication.
As you know, Brother Farnsworth was a member of the Church.
Applying his scientific skills, he brought to the world this
marvelous invention, which I believe is to be used for the
primary purpose of furthering the work of the Lord." — M.
Russell Ballard, The Effects Of Television, General
Conference, April 1989
(5/18/98)
"We live in a wonderful age. The great inventions of our day
exceed what was known in all former ages. Unfortunately these
inventions have failed to bring men nearer to God. One might
think that the revelations coming through radio, television
and other things, would draw men nearer to God; but it is not
so. Men are more inclined to boast in their own strength,
denying divine aid. Crime has increased. The integrity of men
has diminished. From the writings of the press we may well
believe that we are approaching the day predicted by Jesus
Christ, when he said, 'But as the days of Noe were, so shall
also the coming of the Son of man be.'" — Joseph Fielding
Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.3,
p.272-3
(5/19/98)
"There will be other evils come, too, if we do not control
this, and the other things which come into our homes
uncensored, simply because they are there, and we permit them.
Handled correctly television can be an influence for good.
Handled incorrectly, it will become a force for endless evil."
— Elder S. Dilworth Young, Conference Report, April
1955, p.100
(5/20/98)
"Today influences from literally unlimited sources through the
media of radio, television, and print, together with numerous
inventions of modern civilization, have drastically changed
the historical cultural setting of the family. In this time of
special challenge for marriage and the family, the Lord has
restored, through his prophets in these latter days, the
eternal dimension of that sacred covenant between husband and
wife and has charged us with a new awareness of the real
purpose of the family." — Elder F. Enzio Busche, Love Is
The Power That Will Cure The Family, General Conference,
April 1982
(5/21/98)
"Parenthood imposes a singular responsibility. Not only must
parents put good things into the minds of children, we must
keep bad things out. That is why we have been cautioned
against the unrestricted invasion of our homes by the media.
While some agencies that have influence on our children are
good, some are not. Parental vigilance should be constant.
Safeguard your children against those who seek to destroy
them." — Elder A. Theodore Tuttle, Therefore I Was Taught,
General Conference, October 1979
(11/14/00)
"Remember, Satan does not want you to be happy. He does
not want you to dare to do right. He wants you to be miserable,
as he is. He has captured the hearts of wicked men and women who
would have you participate in bad things such as pornography,
drugs, profanity, and immorality. Stay away from these evils.
Avoid books, magazines, videos, movies, and television shows
that are not good. As the scriptures tell us, avoid the very
appearance of evil (see 1 Thessalonians 5:22)." — "To The
Children Of The Church", President Ezra Taft Benson, General
Conference, April 1989
(11/15/00)
"Remember, there is no such thing as unlawful censorship in the
home. Movies, magazines, television, videos, the Internet, and
other media are there as guests and should only be welcomed when
they are appropriate for family enjoyment. Make your home a
haven of peace and righteousness. Don’t allow evil influences to
contaminate your own special spiritual environment." — M.
Russell Ballard, "Like a Flame Unquenchable," Ensign, May 1999,
p. 87
(11/16/00)
"We must face the fact that an entire generation has been raised
on a diet of unhappy stories about marriage. The devastation of
this cannot be overestimated. Most people who read the
newspapers or watch television news are aware that a large
percent of marriages fail. They are ever more aware of the
ugliness of abuse and its innumerable victims. By the
media-portrayed standards of the world, infidelity appears to be
normal and fidelity rare." — Victor L. Brown Jr., "Reluctant to
Marry," Ensign, Apr. 1992, P. 45
(11/17/00)
"Parenthood imposes a singular responsibility. Not only must
parents put good things into the minds of children, we must keep
bad things out. That is why we have been cautioned against the
unrestricted invasion of our homes by the media. While some
agencies that have influence on our children are good, some are
not. Parental vigilance should be constant. Safeguard your
children against those who seek to destroy them." — A. Theodore
Tuttle, "Therefore I Was Taught," Ensign, Nov. 1979, p. 27
(11/18/00)
"We have brought into our homes radios, record players, and
television sets. While each has the potential of providing
wholesome entertainment, so much of what has been produced for
our listening and watching pleasure is not of the caliber to
inspire and encourage young men. In fact, most of what is
produced is degrading. The flip of a switch right in your own
home has the potential of destroying within you a sense of what
is right and what is wrong." — L. Tom Perry, "I Confer the
Priesthood of Aaron," Ensign, Nov. 1985, p. 46
(11/19/00)
"I extend that warning to all: please be vigilant in your
entertainment choices. Some of the things that are being shown
in our theaters and broadcast to our homes via television and
videos and over the Internet are insidious and dangerous. Rather
than falling within the definition of things that are 'virtuous,
lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy' (A of F 1:13), they
are more clearly described in the seventh chapter of Moroni,
where the prophet Mormon teaches that 'whatsoever thing
persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny
him, and serve not God is of the devil' (Moro. 7:17)." — M.
Russell Ballard, "When Shall These Things Be?" Ensign, Dec.
1996, p. 58
(5/09/02)
"Know what our children are doing in their spare time. Influence
their choice of movies, television programs, and videos. If they
are on the Internet, know what they are doing. Help them see the
importance of wholesome entertainment." — Robert D. Hales,
"Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty," "Ensign," May 1999,
p. 33
(5/10/02)
"As we consider the importance of nourishing our intellects with
the promising potential of superhighway resources, we must be
ever cautious about our choices of programs and the impact of
media upon our lives. Those who understand our Heavenly Father's
eternal plan for the joy and happiness of His children will be
better prepared to not only make good choices but also provide
good choices as the information superhighway rolls across the
world. The computer, television, satellite, microchip, and even
the telephone all can bless and enhance our lives, or can make
them miserable." — M. Russell Ballard, "Filling the World with
Goodness and Truth," "Ensign," July 1996, p. 13
(5/11/02)
"I believe the entertainment industry cannot portray on film
people gunned down in cold blood, in living color, and not have
it affect the attitudes and thoughts of some of the people who
see it. I believe human sexuality cannot be continually
portrayed as just another physical appetite that has to be
satisfied—whenever and with whomever the urge strikes—without
diminishing respect for God and His commandments. And I believe
that the desensitizing effect of such media abuses on the hearts
and souls of those who are exposed to them results in a partial
fulfillment of the Savior's statement that 'because iniquity
shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.'" — M. Russell
Ballard, "When Shall These Things Be?" "Ensign," Dec. 1996, p.
58
(5/12/02)
"The prophet Mormon said that each of us is given the Spirit of
Christ to know good from evil; everything that invites us to do
good is of God. On the other hand, anything that persuades us to
do evil is of the devil, for he and those who follow him
persuade no one to do good. (See Moro. 7:16-18.) This simple
test will guide us in judging television and other media
programs." — M. Russell Ballard, "The Effects of
Television," "Ensign," May 1989, p. 81
(5/13/02)
"Volumes of research data show the detrimental effects of
television, but I just say that television and videocassette
viewing by youngsters has a significant impact on their
behavior. We must not take lightly the confession of a recently
executed killer on the impact pornography and violence in media
had on his life. The Apostle Paul warned that men can become
'past feeling... [giving] themselves over unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness.' (Eph. 4:19.) In
Proverbs we read, 'As [a man] thinketh... , so is he.' (Prov.
23:7.) A mind exposed to violence and immorality cannot escape
the negative impact of such exposure." — M. Russell Ballard,
"The Effects of Television," "Ensign," May 1989, p. 79
2/27/09
"Don't be afraid to walk out of
a movie, turn off a television set, or change a radio station
if what's being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father's
standards. In short, if you have any question about whether a
particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is
appropriate, don't see it, don't read it, don't participate."
- Thomas S. Monson, "That We May
Touch Heaven," Ensign (CR), November 1990, p.45
8/5/09
“To an alarming extent, our children today are being educated
by the media, including the Internet. In the United States, it
is reported that the average child watches approximately four
hours of television daily, much of the programming being
filled with violence, alcohol and drug use, and sexual
content. Watching movies and playing video games is in
addition to the four hours. And the statistics are much the
same for other developed countries. The messages portrayed on
television, in movies, and in other media are very often in
direct opposition to that which we want our children to
embrace and hold dear. It is our responsibility not only to
teach them to be sound in spirit and doctrine but also to help
them stay that way, regardless of the outside forces they may
encounter. This will require much time and effort on our
part-and in order to help others, we ourselves need the
spiritual and moral courage to withstand the evil we see on
every side.” - Thomas S. Monson,
“Three Goals to Guide You,” CR October 2007
5/29/10
"Good
families face very significant challenges in controlling the
use of television and videotapes in their homes. I agree with
Dr.
Victor B. Cline when he said, 'I am convinced by a vast amount
of
research that the images, fantasies, and models which we are
repeatedly
exposed to in advertisements, entertainment, novels, motion
pictures,
and other works of art can and do... affect the self-image and,
later,
the behavior of nearly all young people and adults too.'
(Address at
Tidewater Assembly on Family Life, Norfolk, Virginia.)
"On another occasion, Dr. Cline said that the mental diet is as
important as the nutritional diet. 'The amount of violence a
child sees
at 7 predicts how violent he will be at 17, 27, and 37....
Children's
minds are like banks—whatever you put in, you get back 10 years
later
with interest.' He said that violent television teaches
children,
step-by-step, 'how to commit violent acts, and it desensitizes
them to
the horror of such behavior and to the feelings of victims.' Dr.
Cline
said that America is suffering from 'an explosion of
interpersonal
violence like we have never seen before.... The violence is
because of
violence in our entertainment.' (See "Therapist says children
who view
TV violence tend to become violent," Deseret News, 24 Mar. 1989,
p.
2B.)" - M. Russell Ballard,
"The Effects of Television," Ensign (CR), May 1989, p. 78
5/31/10
"There is
a constant struggle to balance our knowledge of light
against the error and fear that are among the hallmarks of our
world.
Today we see temptations of old in new ways. They can be
magnified and
multicolored by technology which gives them avenues everywhere.
These
portrayals are aimed at the young, the naive, and the
vulnerable-indeed, they are aimed at each one of us. All manner
of
violence is depicted in arcade games, and we even see horrifying
violent acts in our own neighborhoods. Amidst the danger, our
love
waxes cold, and we may seek a defense in the very weapons that
threaten
us. Worse yet, we may be turned by fear to looking for
protection from
one another rather than keeping our promise to be a light and a
protection for one another." - Aileen
H. Clyde, "Covenant of Love," Ensign (CR), May 1995, p. 26
8/16/10
"Most days we all find ourselves assaulted by immoral messages
of some
kind flooding in on us from every angle. The darker sides of the
movie,
television, and music industry step further and further into
offensive
language and sexual misconduct. Tragically, the same computer
and
Internet service that allows me to do my family history and
prepare
those names for temple work could, without filters and controls,
allow
my children or grandchildren access to a global cesspool of
perceptions
that could blast a crater in their brains forever." - Jeffrey
R. Holland, "Place
No More for the Enemy of My Soul," Ensign (CR) May 2010
10/16/11
There is much that is good with our easy access to
communication and information. I have found it helpful to
access research articles, conference talks, and ancestral
records, and to receive e-mails, Facebook reminders, tweets,
and texts. As good as these things are, we cannot allow them
to push to one side those things of greatest importance. How
sad it would be if the phone and computer, with all their
sophistication, drowned out the simplicity of sincere prayer
to a loving Father in Heaven. Let us be as quick to kneel as
we are to text. - Ian S.
Ardern, "A
Time to Prepare," Ensign (CR) October 2011