Pornography is a booming industry. Some reports have world wide profit totals as high as $50 billion as well as stating the average earliest age of first exposure via internet as 11. (Internet Filter Review) Unfortunately, this problem is no longer 'innocent curiosity' or reserved for 'dirty old men'. Youth, women and men alike are addicted and many more are trying to keep relationships together while spouses battle addictions.

President Hinckley, in speaking to the men of the priesthood said,

"I might go on, but you, too, know enough of the seriousness of the problem. Suffice it to say that all who are involved become victims. Children are exploited, and their lives are severely damaged. The minds of youth become warped with false concepts. Continued exposure leads to addiction that is almost impossible to break. Men, so very many, find they cannot leave it alone. Their energies and their interests are consumed in their dead-end pursuit of this raw and sleazy fare." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Tragic Evil among Us," Ensign, Nov. 2004)

According to Bishop Tyler Jensen of the Sabre Springs Ward, Poway California Stake, pornography is an on going problem which often starts in youth. Pornography has a high recurrence rate making total repentance difficult and on going as well as demanding a lifetime commitment to change.

Bishop Jensen also states that the person involved is often trapped in a cycle of self-loathing which can reach such depths that the person uses more pornography in order to lift their spirits which then brings about more self-loathing and the key is to find the individual trigger that sets off one of these cycles. For that reason, most cases of pornography addiction are referred to LDS Social Services, dependent on personality and severity of addiction.

Again, speaking to the men of the priesthood, President Hinckley continues,

"We must do better than this. We are men of the priesthood. This is a most sacred and marvelous gift, worth more than all the dross of the world. But it will be amen to the effectiveness of that priesthood for anyone who engages in the practice of seeking out pornographic material.
If there be any within the sound of my voice who are doing so, then may you plead with the Lord out of the depths of your soul that He will remove from you the addiction which enslaves you. And may you have the courage to seek the loving guidance of your bishop and, if necessary, the counsel of caring professionals.

Let any who may be in the grip of this vise get upon their knees in the privacy of their closet and plead with the Lord for help to free them from this evil monster. Otherwise, this vicious stain will continue through life and even into eternity."

Bishop Jensen mentions that the spouse of the addict usually has similar traits. Most report that it is devastating to their self esteem. They notice a change of intimacy in their relationship and find they have a hard time dealing with the effects of the addiction. Some find counseling can help. To women whose spouse is addicted, the loss of trust is the biggest problem and usually state that the addiction feels like adultery.

However, repentance is possible. The repentance process, especially for something like pornography, is very individual. While it can include the loss of temple recommend and privileges within the Church, the actual steps that are taken are decided upon with the Bishop and the person addicted. It is up to the addict to use the Bishop and rely on the Lord to gain better understanding of the Atonement.

Rory C. Reid, in the February 2005 Ensign states,

"When we accept the Atonement, we confess our sins and submit to the consequences of our choices. If we attempt to punish ourselves for sin through self-imposed guilt or shame, we erroneously try to usurp the authority of the Savior. The Savior has the right to extend mercy and the right to pass judgment. Our right is to submit our hearts to God and accept His mercy and justice in accordance with divine law. Although not entitled to mercy, we may qualify for it by the grace of God and through a broken heart and contrite spirit. This mighty change of heart, which sanctifies a son or daughter of God from unrighteousness, is a gift that comes through faith and trust in Him and by the power of His Atonement. Redemption from sin through this process will most likely take time, but eventually we can know, as the Spirit imparts assurance to our soul, that our sins are forgiven." (Rory C. Reid, "The Road Back: Abandoning Pornography," Ensign, Feb. 2005)

"We must also act to protect those we love. Parents install alarms to warn if their household is threatened by smoke or carbon monoxide. We should also install protections against spiritual threats, protections like filters on Internet connections and locating access so others can see what is being viewed. And we should build the spiritual strength of our families by loving relationships, family prayer, and scripture study." (Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography," Ensign, May 2005)

Bishop Jensen mentions that the basics of the gospel, such as prayer, scriptures and temple attendance are the most help in providing the basic level of strength to help avoid temptation.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. … Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." (James 1:12-13)

On the issue of relapses vs. full repentance, Bishop Jensen mentioned these points:

• The Bishop cannot be condemning, but needs to be an ally in helping to break the cycle for good while picking them back up and stopping the self-loathing.

• It needs to be dictated by the Spirit what would happen in the repentance process.
  
• He needs to clearly state that the repentance process for addiction is long. It is not something that will be completed easily or quickly.

• The person needs to recognize and understand his / her individual triggers for a relapse.

• All involved need to be committed to a rebuilding of the person's life and behaviors.

• Most importantly, the person needs to truly believe the Savior does forgive and the Atonement really does apply to them.