Close Topic Options

Mormons & R-Rated Movies - Page 9

Here is the LINK TO THE TALK that LDS_forever is speaking of. It was given by Bishop H. Burke Peterson, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. Am I to understand that you consider his words as being the official teaching of the Church? Do you consider all General Authorities as giving the official teaching of the Church every time they stand up in General Conference? Are all of their words considered by you as being our Latter-day scriptures, equal or superior to the standard works? There are 3 in the First Presidency, 12 in the Quorum of the Twelve, 3 in the Presiding Bishopric, 7 in the Presidency of the Seventy, and [x number] of individual members of the Seventy, all General Authorities. Do you consider these [25 + x number] (I don't know the exact number) of men to all be giving the official teaching of the Church every time they stand up in General Conference and give a talk? Do you believe that each one says only 100% of the truth when they speak in GC? that no errors or falsehoods are ever spoken, whether unknown or intentional? that there are never any errors in doctrine? Is this your belief? Or do you limit only the living prophet as being the one who can give the official teaching of the Church? If you believe the former, then Bishop Peterson's words are good enough for you. If the latter, which prophet has spoken about not seeing rated-R movies to the adult members?

Now, one last question, where did Bishop H. Burke Peterson get the teaching that adult members of the Church should not see or talk about R-rated movies?

Movies R-Rated and Mormons

Honestly, I do not see the point of your rants, but I will entertain this question:

Let us say that he prayed to Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost came to him that this is exactly what he should say in the conference. Let us carry it further since these talks are prepared before hand and sanctioned by the First Presidency... that they too agree, which they in fact do at the end of the conference... they usually say something like, 'All that you heard today was good' and we all know where good comes from. Okay, so now, what is thy point?

Offtopic but, If you will... please go to a thread on this board called, 'Testimony Meeting for LDS Posters' or click here and share your conversion and/or feelings about the Gospel. Thanks.

Mormons & R-Rated Movies Studies Doctrine Mormon

My point is that no one but the First Presidency can announce new doctrine. If he is saying something new that the First Presidency hasn't announced, it isn't binding upon us, it's just his opinion, it isn't doctrine, and it definitely isn't scriptural. The Holy Ghost will never inspire a person to break the order that the Lord has. The order is pretty simple, the First Presidency announces the change, and everyone else preaches the new doctrine. If you consider Bishop Peterson's remarks about watching rated-R movies to be official church doctrine, he must have gotten it from the First Presidency and the First Presidency must have first annouced it to the church. The Holy Ghost will never inspire someone to preach official church doctrine that has not first been given by the First Presidency. To my knowledge, the First Presidency has said nothing to the adult saints about watching rated-R movies, therefore Peterson's remarks can only be his opinion. And that is my point. Now, if you can give me a reference that shows that the First Presidency has made a statement about watching rated-R movies, I'd be much obliged.

Oh, and btw, I know that the GAs prepare their talks before-hand and then hand them in, but I was not aware that the First Presidency "sanctions" their talks before they deliver them. Do you have a reference to confirm this? Or are you referring to the remarks at the end where Pres. Hinckley says "We've all been edified by this conference. We've heard the mind and will of God to us." Etc.? Is this what you are saying is the sanctioning of the First Presidency? Or do you refer to a review of the talks by the First Presidency prior to the GAs delivering them?

Page 9 Movies R-Rated and Mormons

Buggeyes, you remind me of a group Christ refered to in the New Testament. Concerning your last paragraph, I have already answered that, read my post again. Now if someone were to follow your line of thinking the question would come up... 'Why even bother to attend a Conference just to hear someone's opinion'? Afterall I have not 'voted' for it, so really I do not have to take any heed. *shaking head*

Movies R-Rated and Mormons

Now, here we see the difference. Where has a Prophet or Apostle given this advice? Do we accept the advice of the Seventy as scripture, or binding? Area authorities? How about Temple Presidents?

Mormons & R-Rated Movies

LDS and I just came back from seeing the Passion of Christ - great movie, it was rated pg-14 here. I am going to write a review in the Movie board, look out for it.

Mormons & R-Rated Movies - Page 9

I'm looking hard for an excellent quote from President Hinckley but I'm not able to find it! he basically says that all things that are forbidden or not allowed for the Youth in the Church are also not good for the adult members. Here another great quote from Pres. James E. Faust:

"I cannot help wondering about parents who adopt the attitude with their children, "do as I say, not as I do" with respect to using harmful substances, going to inappropiate movies, and other questionable activities. Children often take license from their parents's behavior and go beyond the values the parents wish to establish. There is one safe parental rule: do not just avoid evil, avoid the very appearance of evil" (Ensign, November 1986, p.10)

So in my humble opinion, whether the Youth are the ones specifically counseled to not watch R rated movies, I don't personally think it is because they are young and immature (after all, any bad movie can affect anybody regardless of age) but what is most important is not a very good parenthood tool. I will try to find the other quote I was looking for, although this one of Pres. Faust is really good. Anything that is bad for the Youth is also bad for the adults members.

Mormons & R-Rated Movies Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 9

I am in agreement with what LDS has said in her most recent post. I know from personal experience that as we expose ourselves to certain things such as violence, bad language or sexual reference or innuendo, we become desensitized. This is just as true for adults as for the youth in the Church. So, it isn't just a matter of being young and impressionable.

While as adults we might like to think we aren't as easily swayed or affected by those around us, it is still an issue which we should be aware and guard against. For example, a cop, fire fighter, soldier, doctor, ambulance driver, etc., are over time "hardened" to what they face regularly in the line of their duties. This same hardening comes to us when we continually view movies that contain inappropriate language, sexual content or violence.

It is true that this content can be found in less than R ratings and also that the ratings aren't the same for movies through out the world. For example, Passion is rated R in the US and PG 14 in Trinidad. However, we should be avoiding all of this regardless of the rating. Passion may be an exception because of the focus on the Savior to some, and a very few other movies have also been mentioned as worthy of our being exposed to whatever is causing the R rating, but the vast majority of movies are simply for entertainment. In those cases, I think, we are better served to err on the side of caution and simply not go.