Rated R Movies and Inappropriate Media
The LDS church teaches that "R" rated movies and any other inappropriate movies should be avoided. This page provides a summary of the teachings about rated-R movies from the following sources:
The For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet states:
"Our Heavenly Father has counseled us as
Latter-day Saints to seek after "anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or
praiseworthy" (Articles of Faith 1:13). Whatever you read, listen to, or watch makes
an impression on you. Public entertainment and the media can provide you with much
positive experience. They can uplift and inspire you, teach you good and moral principles,
and bring you closer to the beauty this world offers. But they can also make what is wrong
and evil look normal, exciting, and acceptable.
Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive. Curious exploration of pornography
can become a controlling habit leading to coarser material and to sexual transgression. If
you continue to view pornography, your
spirit will become desensitized, and your conscience will erode. Much harm comes from
reading or viewing pornography. It causes thoughts within you that weaken your
self-discipline.
Don't attend or participate in any form of entertainment, including concerts, movies,
and videocassettes, that is vulgar, immoral, inappropriate, suggestive, or pornographic in
any way. Movie ratings not always accurately reflect offensive content. 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. And do not read books or
magazines or look at pictures that are pornographic or that present immorality as
acceptable.
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."
Elder Robert L. Simpson taught:
"It goes without saying that all X and R-rated
movies are automatically eliminated." (The Church News, Conference Issues 1970-1987,
p.11)
Elder Hartman Rector Jr. taught:
"Do not attend R or X-rated movies." (The
Church News, Conference Issues 1970-1987, p.14)
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:
"Be clean. I cannot emphasize that enough. Be clean. It is very, very important
and you at your age are in such temptation all the time. It is thrown at you on
television. It is thrown at you in books and magazines and videos. You do not have to rent
them. Don't do it. Just don't do it. Don't look at them. If somebody proposes that you sit
around all night watching some of that sleazy stuff, you say, (It¹s not for me. Stay away
from it." (Denver Colorado, youth meeting, 14 Apr. 1996, Quote by Elder Joe J.
Christensen, Ensign Nov. 1996, p. 40)
President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
"We counsel you, young men, not to pollute your
minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never
the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any
entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic. Don't listen to music that is
degrading." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.222)
Consider carefully the words of the prophet Alma to his errant son, Corianton, Forsake
your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes. (Alma 39:9) The lusts of your
eyes. In our day, what does that expression mean? Movies, television programs and video
recordings that are both suggestive and lewd....We counsel you young men [and women] not
to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth
passes is never the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or
participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive or pornographic. Watch those
shows and entertainment that lift the spirit and promote clean thoughts and actions.
(Ensign May 1986, p. 45)
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught:
"Another activity that can detract us from the proper way is watching television
excessively or viewing improper movies. While fine productions on these media are
uplifting and entertaining, we need to be very selective in choosing what we see and how
much of our time such an activity deserves. Our precious time must not be diverted to the
sideline attractions of vulgar language, immoral conduct, pornography and violence."
(Ensign Nov. 1990, p.65)
"In a day when broadcasters and publishers have rather free access into our homes,
we must seek clean, uplifting entertainment, whether on television, videos, movies,
magazines, books and other printed material. We should be very selective and choose only
those things that meet the test of being virtuous, lovely, of good report, or
praiseworthy. If it is questionable, we should avoid it." (Ensign May 1992, p.87)
"[Our Heavenly Father] has, through prophets, cautioned against consuming the
steady diet of evil that is offered relentlessly in today¹s media, especially magazines,
movies, videocassettes, video games, and television. The windows of computer monitors and
television screens can bring to us very useful information, but they can also bring
information that is evil, degrading, and destructive. The Lord has warned repeatedly
against the evils and designs of conspiring men in our day who would enslave us to our
appetites and passions by tempting and tantalizing us with the obscene images, words and
music. Through his servants, the Lord has cautioned us strongly not to take into our minds
thoughts that can harm our spirits. Since 1950, Church leaders speaking in general
conference have counseled us some seventy-five times against unhealthy media consumption.
In recent years, as standards of public decency and morality have declined and as public
media have reflected and often led that decline, these words of loving concern from
inspires shepherds of the Lord¹s flock have come with more frequency and greater urgency.
The watchmen on the tower have raised a warning voice." (Ensign Nov. 1995, p.77)
President Boyd K. Packer taught:
"Young men and women, keep yourselves worthy. Stay away from those environments,
the music, the films, the videos, the clubs, and the associations that draw you into
immoral conduct (see 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Thes. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:22; D&C 9:13)
Now, I must speak of another danger, almost unknown in our youth but now everywhere
about you. Normal desires and attractions emerge in the teenage years; there is the
temptation to experiment, to tamper with the sacred power of procreation. These desires can be intensified,
even perverted, by pornography, improper music, or the encouragement from unworthy
associations. What would have only been a more or less normal passing phase in
establishing gender identity can become implanted and leave you confused, even disturbed.
If you consent, the adversary can take control of your thoughts and lead you carefully
toward a habit and to an addiction, convincing you that immoral, unnatural behavior is a
fixed part of your nature. "
See "Ye Are the Temple of
God" for President Packer's full comments.
Elder James E. Faust taught:
"Parental hypocrisy can make children cynical and unbelieving of what they are
taught at home. For instance, when parents attend movies they forbid their children to
see, parental credibility is diminished. If children are expected to be honest, parents
must be honest. If children are expected to be virtuous, parents must be virtuous. If you
expect your children to be honorable, you must be honorable." (Ensign Nov. 1990, p.
33)
Elder Joe J. Christensen taught:
"It is very unreasonable to suppose that
exposure to profanity, nudity, sex, and violence has no negative effects on us. We
can't roll around in the mud without getting dirty. It is a concern that some of our
young Latter-day Saints, as well as their parents, regularly watch R-rated and other
inappropriate movies and videos. One more reason why the devil laugheth, and his
angels rejoice.(3 Ne. 9:2)'' (October 1996 General
Conference, see The Savior Is
Counting On You)
"Although there are some uplifting exceptions, in most areas of the mass media
there seems to be a declaration of war against almost everything the majority treasures
most: the family, religion and patriotism. Marriage is degraded, while premarital and
extramarital relations are encouraged and glamorized. Profanity and the foulest of vulgar
gutter language bombard the ears of all who listen. Reportedly, in one R-rated movie, the
most common, vulgar, four-letter word was spoken 256 times! Human life itself is
trivialized by the constant barrage of violence and killings. Remember that anything that
is not good for children is rarely good for adults." (Ensign Nov. 1993, p.11)
Elder J. Richard Clarke taught:
"Any film, television show, music, or printed material unfit for youth is also
unfit for parents. Those who rationalize acceptance of immoral material on grounds
of maturity or sophistication are deceived." (Ensign May 1991, p. 42)
Elder H. Burke Peterson taught:
"I know it is hard counsel we give when we
say movies that are R-rated, and many with PG-13 ratings, are produced by satanic
influences. Our standards should not be dictated by the rating system. I repeat, because
of what they really represent, these types of movies, music, tapes, etc. serve the
purposes of the author of all darkness." (Ensign
Nov. 1993, p.43)
"In magazines and books, on CDs and tapes, on our television and theater screens
is portrayed more and more often a lifestyle that might even rival the excesses of those
who lived in Sodom and Gomorra....One of the great tragedies is that too many [members]
are watching and listening to this type of so-called entertainment. Some do it only
casually at first. They think they are spiritually strong and will be immune to its
influence. This trash is nothing more nor less than pornography dressed in one of its many
imitation robes of splendor one of the master counterfeiter’s best products....many
do not recognize they are trapped or soon will be....They see this as a form of
entertainment that serves as a relief from the troubles of the day. In point of fact and
in reality, it is only relieving them of their spirituality and their capacity to draw on
the powers of heaven in times of need....no [one] can look at, read about, or listen to
such explicit vulgarity, even in its mildest form without bringing sorrow to a loving God
and a terrible injury to one’s own spirit....I plead with you to leave it alone. Stay
away from any movie, video, publication, or music (regardless of it rating) where illicit
behavior and expressions are a part of the action." (Ensign Nov. 1993, p.42-43)
Elder Harold G. Hillam taught:
"Wise use of our technology would include care in that which we invite into our
homes by the way of television, videos, computers, including the Internet. There is much
that is good and edifying in the media, but there is also much that is gross, immoral, and
time-consuming, enticing us to be 'ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth.' 2 Tim. 3:7 During the Second World War when gasoline was in short supply
and rationed, I remember signs saying, 'Is this trip necessary?' Today, with ever-
increasing demands on everyone and time in short supply, might we ask ourselves before we
turn on the video game, the television, the computer, or access the many programs
available, 'Is this trip necessary?...Is the information I am receiving from this tool of
learning edifying, and adding truth into my life? Are the hours I am investing an
effective use of my valuable time? Does this computer game assist me in fulfilling my
responsibilities and goals?' If the answer is not a resounding yes, then we should have
the courage and determination to click off the button and direct our lives to more
important tasks." (Ensign. Nov 1997, p. 63)
Elder W. Eugene Hansen taught:
"One of the most critical challenges mankind faces today is to recognize the
difference between happiness and mere pleasure. Satan and his forces have become extremely
effective in their effort to convince people that pleasure should be the most sought-after
objective. He slyly promises that wherever found, pleasure will bring happiness. Our
television and movie screens are filled with not-so-subtle messages that encourage and
persuade young and old alike to unbridle their passions and they will experience
happiness. The results of this reckless course should be so apparent as we watch the
tremendous social and psychological costs continue to mount." (Ensign Nov. 1993, p.
82)
Elder Legrand Curtis taught:
"Discipline is organized love, and children develop properly in an atmosphere of
love, with adequate guidelines to shape their lives and their habits. More children are
punished for mimicking their parents than ever for disobeying them. We should be what we
want to see." (Ensign Nov. 1990 p. 12)
Elder Horacio A Tenorio taught:
"Satan has intensified his efforts to destroy the family by corrupting the youth
and robbing childhood of its innocence. Our youth are especially vulnerable as the enemy
cunningly utilizes every means at his disposal, including the mass media and changes in
constitutional law, to deceive them. He bombards our homes with enticements of destructive
and harmful products and morals through television, videos, press, books, etc. We as
Latter-day Saints and all good people anywhere must consciously screen what comes into our
homes. Parents have the inalienable right and the responsibility to educate their
children. No inappropriate outsider should be allowed to dictate our family's values nor
what our children are being taught." (Ensign Nov. 1994, p. 23)
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