Divorce, depression, and the P word

[aspenmgy]

Are you embarrassed to talk to the Bishop about this? Why not set an appointment to speak with him, update him on how your life has been and mention the pornography. I'm assuming there was masturbation involved as well.

[Banquo]

Originally Posted by aspenmgy

Are you embarrassed to talk to the Bishop about this? Why not set an appointment to speak with him, update him on how your life has been and mention the pornography. I'm assuming there was masturbation involved as well.

Um, thanks, but your comment didn't really add to the conversation at hand. Can somebody give me some concrete evidence that it is required by the Lord Jesus Christ to confess the viewing of pornography to a Bishop to be forgiven of this sin?

I appreciate all of the wonderful, heart felt advice of going to hang out with the Bishop and talk about life, but that's really not what I'm looking for here.

[aspenmgy]

You are ignoring the solution. Just go to the Bishop and say, "hey, I've been looking at porn and spanking it....do I need to tell you about it or not?"

Problem solved.

[Banquo]

Originally Posted by aspenmgy

You are ignoring the solution. Just go to the Bishop and say, "hey, I've been looking at porn and spanking it....do I need to tell you about it or not?"

Problem solved.

LOL! Well, it seems that to me that "asking" the bishop if you need to tell him is exactly the same as telling him.

Maybe I should go into his office and tell him that I have a friend that wants looked at some porn a for a few months and choked his chicken in the process and wants to know if he needs to reveal the gory details to you or not. I bet he wouldn't suspect a thing.

Isn't there something strange about telling an old man about spanking it? I did it once when I was 16 and the Bishop laughed and told me that wasn't something that I needed to confess to a Bishop, most boys have done it, but I should stop if I wanted to have the spirit. It was a wonderful experience.

[aspenmgy]

Originally Posted by Banquo

LOL! Well, it seems that to me that "asking" the bishop if you need to tell him is exactly the same as telling him.

That was my point

Isn't there something strange about telling an old man about spanking it? I did it once when I was 16 and the Bishop laughed and told me that wasn't something that I needed to confess to a Bishop, most boys have done it, but I should stop if I wanted to have the spirit. It was a wonderful experience.

Well...you aren't 16 any more. You are endowed. Things have changed just a tiny bit

[Banquo]

Originally Posted by aspenmgy

That was my point


Well...you aren't 16 any more. You are endowed. Things have changed just a tiny bit

In other words there is nothing concrete that tells me what to do. You'd think if it was so simple a situation that the Prophet of God would come out and be crystal clear on the issue.

Also, I must have missed the masturbation part of the covenants.

[ztodd]

This looks like a good article -

LDS.org - New Era Article - President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality

[Just_A_Guy]

Banquo -

The CES manual to the D&C has an appendix about repentance and/or church discipline, and the approach it takes is "if you have to ask, then it's time to see the Bishop". I think it's pretty good advice. I also remember both President Hinckley and Elder Scott saying, at conference, that pornography and masturbation are both issues that should be taken to a bishop. Do a text search of the on-line Ensign editions if you don't believe me.

Pornography is especially dangerous because it's so easy to tell yourself "I can quit any time I want (I just don't want to yet)". I told myself that for over five years. Even if you can quit on your own, it's nice to have someone to be able to "return and report" to. If you don't confess, you're just denying yourself the extra support you could be getting.

[Just_A_Guy]

President Monson's last conference address from the most recent session:

On the other hand, however—and extremely alarming—are the reports of the number of individuals who are utilizing the Internet for evil and degrading purposes, the viewing of pornography being the most prevalent of these purposes. My brothers and sisters, involvement in such will literally destroy the spirit. Be strong. Be clean. Avoid such degrading and destructive types of content at all costs—wherever they may be! I sound this warning to everyone, everywhere. I add—particularly to the young people—that this includes pornographic images transmitted via cell phones.

My beloved friends, under no circumstances allow yourselves to become trapped in the viewing of pornography, one of the most effective of Satan’s enticements. And if you have allowed yourself to become involved in this behavior, cease now. Seek the help you need to overcome and to change the direction of your life. Take the steps necessary to get back on the strait and narrow, and then stay there.

From an entire sermon on pornography, given by President Hinckely during the priesthood session of the October 2004 Conference:

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.

[Maya]

Please dont destroy your future possibilities with stupid porn. Think if you should meet HER tomorrow... how would you feel knowing that porn is not somethig ypou should do and that many good women dispise!
I met my DH and he was 50! And I was a bit younger. We got 2 wonderful boys. 20 years of marriage this May!
Yes life can sometimes seem unfair.... if you look at others.

It is funny how young adults everywhere are complaining that they cant find anyone!
Our youth is marrying across the countryborders as there are only a few LDS around. Keep looking. Take trips to other countries young adults happenings... DONT give up!
Or find a girl that will convert...