taisama

Well, to sum it up, I'm 16, been addicted to pornography since about 11, talked to my bishop, blahblahblah, the problem escalated about a year ago and I got caught with some uh...bad pornography and my parents found out and the police came and took my computer and I'm waiting for a court date. I went to counseling and joined a 12 step program called Sons of Helaman and have been going for 5 weeks, but I keep messing up. Pornography isn't really a problem anymore, but it's "Mr. M" that's causing me to mess up. Well, as of late, I have been questioning some parts of my testimony and have almost no desire to go to church, start blessing the sacrament again, go to the temple, etc. It all seems pointless to me. I've talked to my bishop since then and it hasn't helped at all. I've been trying to say prayers and stuff, and sometimes it works. My parents are driving me insane because they "want to help any way they can", but I can't think of anything they can do. I'm studying for 4 AP tests and waiting to find out if I got accepted to an international college, so I have extremely little time to think about stuff and I'm way stressed out. Does anyone have any suggestions that might help me???

Well, I just finished this poem for my English class tomorrow and I got more spiritual that I had planned. I thought I might as well publish it here as it may make someone happy. It is about a trip to Temple Square (SLC). The Square On a cold, dark, December night, I gazed upon a glorious sight- In the middle of the Square the sight caused my sound soul to soar. What I saw was truly magic; lights of many hues were twinkling- I let my bright eyes grasp the colors; reds, whites, and blues galore! The brilliant scene pierced me to the core, warmth flowed from every pore. This helped me the cold ignore. While I was walking ‘round the Square I slipped and fell, my skin did tear. As I struggled to my feet, I caught a glimpse of bright pallor- There was a still, shining lake, my image captured on the surface- The surface, fragile as glass, only disturbed by the color. I saw the reflection of my past, warmth flowed from every pore. This helped me the pain ignore. While I was thinking of my past, I came upon what I had sought- A pure, peaceful, white structure dominated the large Square floor. Illuminated as if by angels, the white marble shown bright- Standing there, eyes glistening, trying every moment to savor The beautiful vista filled with joy, warmth flowed from every pore. This helped me my mistakes ignore.

Well, I met with my bishop today after church and he wanted to call me to be the second counselor of the priest quorum. We had met in July about me getting ordained when I told him about my pornography addiction. I told him that I was still having a big problem with it, so he said that I can't take or bless the sacrament for a month and then we'll see what happens from there. I have two questions. 1 - please give me some good ways to explain why i'm not taking/blessing the sacrament to my family/friends/others (my parents don't know and I don't want them to know) and 2 - what are some ways to stop my addiction (I haven't really thought of any besides sing a hymn, take a walk) that don't cost anything (I am broke, lol). Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for posting! You guys gave me some great advice. I think I will try to start reading a church magazine and saying my prayers and hopefully it will help.

I would just tell them everything and explain what will most likely happen. Just say that their aunt's family may stay with you guys because they are having problems getting/starting jobs. Since it will most likely (and hopefully) be temporary, be sure to reasure them that things will be back to normal soon.

I am a 16 year old boy and a member of the church. I go to church every Sunday, even though it doesn't really mean much to me. I mostly go because my friends are there. I rarely get anything out of my meetings, though I feel that I want to improve my life most of the time when I go, but it doesn't last very long. I have a testimony, but I am starting no to pay attention to it so much now. I have been having more and more problems with my family through the past 4 years. I view my siblings as the most annoying and agrivating things I have ever seen. I get angry if they even look at me wrong, or say anything I don't like. I have 4 AP classes, so I am busy doing my homework most of the time. My parents are worried about me because they rarely see me or talk to me. They try to make up for it by making me be part of family home evening and scripture reading and other family activities, which I hate with a passion and see them as a huge waste of time. I talked to my dad, but he has no idea what I mean and cannot understand me, though he thinks he does. I am struggling with a pornography addiction, ever since I was 12. I talked with my bishop about it, but I still don't feel worthy and it is still a huge temptation. I don't read my scriptures or pray often in private. I go to seminary, but I don't know why. i am just really confused and angry all the time. There are no problems at school and I have good friends. What can I do? I really need help.

Thanks for the replies. I talked with my bishop today at the advancement meeting and it was totally different than I thought it would be. We set up a plan and made some goals and I will be ordained a priest in 2 weeks!!! I am so happy that I can finally feel worthy to go to the temple, etc. again!

I don't think that it would be a problem to let your son have a sleep over at their house. I would offer to take him over to the house, though, to see if you could meet the parents. It would probably be a good idea to at least talk to them.

Hi, I am a 15 year old boy and I am struggling with a pornography addiction. I have had it since I was about 11 and it has been getting worse since then. In seminary, we had an amazing lesson on pornography and repentance, and it made me want to confess to my bishop. After about 4 months, that still hasn't happened. What makes it even worse is that next week is my 16th birthday and this Sunday I have an interview with the bishop. I really wanted to confess sooner, but that will probably be the time I confess. As you might understand, I am extremely nervous and scared. I am mostly scared about what the punishments will be. I am almost certain that I will not be found worthy to become a Priest, and I am pretty sure I won't be able to do anything with the sacrament. But other than that, I have no idea what to expect from the meeting. Can anyone help me? Thanks very much.