The Hidden Addiction
Special sections Specifically for Parents and Teens
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
ESSAY ONE—THE PRINCIPLES OF LOVE
Some people would have us believe that whatever feels right or good to you, you have the right to act upon it…if it does not harm someone else. I’m good. You’re good. Do whatever feels good in the moment. They also believe, since we are all beloved children of caring Heavenly Parents, there is room in Their kingdom for everyone. We were all created differently and therefore, there is enough love for all. This part is true. Our Parents love all Their children. Except for the sons of perdition, everyone will be resurrected and given a glorious kingdom in God’s celestial realm. What they, intentionally or cleverly, leave out, or perhaps do not fully understand, is that God has provided three glorious kingdoms: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. We will all receive our kingdom assignment based upon how well we obeyed God’s commandments while in our mortal estate. Everyone will have a fair opportunity to fully understand and to choose how, when, and to what extent they want to obey His immutable laws. But there are consequences for the use of our agency. “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have not promise.” (Doctrine and Covenants 82:10.) God loves all His children, but He cannot/will not fully bless those who do not follow His laws.
Our sexual feelings are far more than instinct or biological urges. We are divine creations with an eternal purpose. If we hope to become like our Heavenly Parents, to have eternal relationships and the full powers of creation, we must understand the divine purpose for physical sexual feelings and handle them with great respect and care. This essay is one attempt to explain the “Why” behind this beautiful commandment.
Chastity Brings Happiness and a Fullness of Joy
ESSAY TWO—THE TWIN ADDICTIONS
The main business of porn is to hook people, even children, so that when they are old, they will not be able to leave it alone.1 We learned in Essay One that the purpose of God-given sexual feelings is to bond us to our spouse in an intimate and sacred manner. This bond is meant to lift us to God and His greatest blessings. Pornography and masturbation work together to bond the individual to himself or herself and the images on the screen. The behaviors become addictive as the individual seeks out more sensual and erotic scenes. They don’t need, and often come to not desire, a companion.
Essay Two explores the steps to addiction, changes in the brain, and building a tolerance. Porn and masturbation are ego-centric and hijack the very feelings God has given His children to lift them to a higher plane.
ESSAY THREE—REPENTANCE AND RECOVERY
True repentance—turning from sin never to return—goes right in step with full recovery—never returning to a negative behavior. One cannot happen without the other. There are steps to recovery just as there are steps to repentance. Though each person’s path is unique, it cannot be accomplished without a “broken heart and a contrite spirit.”3 This requires our hearts to be right before the Lord. The result of sacrificing our heart, our will, to the Lord is that we will receive the spiritual guidance and strength we need.
Essay Three addresses the dual steps toward repentance and recovery. It offers many ideas for you to build your own road toward 100% commitment. You are stronger than your addiction, stronger than Satan’s pull. Help is available. You can do this. Never give up!
ESSAY FOUR—SPECIFICALLY FOR PARENTS
Essay Four is provided as a resource for parents. It gives ideas to build upon and suggestions to assist parents to be more intentional in teaching their children about the dangers of pornography and self-stimulation. It gives illustrations of how to discuss this sensitive topic with various age groups. It provides scriptural examples for family
Your role as parent is vital in helping your children know that they are beloved children of God. Help them understand what it means to “feel the Spirit.” Share your personal experiences. Tell you children every day that you love them.
ESSAY FIVE—SPECIFICALLY FOR TEENS
This Essay attempts to clearly explain the true doctrine behind human sexuality. God did not implant these feelings in our bodies for mere entertainment. There is divine purpose to all creation, including us. Our sexual feelings were designed to bond us to our eternal spouse and lift us to God. Pornography and masturbation hijack these sacred emotions. The world would have us believe that we should be able to explore and share these feelings whenever the urge arises. You will learn that there is much more to our sexuality than merely instinct.
Teen dating is an important stage of social development and should not be skipped. But, as in all of God’s laws, there are guideline and boundaries that cannot be crossed without consequences. Learn some of these guidelines and the reasons behind them.
Each generation is held in reserve to come forth at a designated time. This is your time. You have a great responsibility to live up to your privileges and help bring one another back to your heavenly home.