Society’s Greatest Threat?

[Traveler]

Throughout much of my life, especially as an engineer, I have spent much time analyzing product failures to determine the cause that brought about the failure.  One of the trails of consideration are things that occurred concurrent with failure that do not occur during successful operations. 

My path recently intersected with a person I have know for many years.  This individual, I believe to have good elements – He is a hard worker and is one of the best at his craft.  I have employed his talents in the past and whenever in specific need I have considered his services.  However, he is not doing well.  He has failed for a second time at marriage, his children will visit with him but they do not trust him or respect him, he has lost his membership in the Church and spent prison time.  I have never know him to be so depressed and sad – with himself.

I believe his problem go back to decades when he was an athlete on full scholarship with national honors.  Actually, even before all his successes – including a church mission.  As a young man this individual got involved with pornography and masturbation.   Though he repented and abstained – he failed to maintain and each time he fell, he fell deeper.  Eventually his falling harmed those closest to him – including his children and especially his wife.   He has lost any confidence that he can resist any moral temptations or control his urgers.

My wife and I talked briefly of his heartbreaking failure.  This individual is not the only individual we know that has suffered from pornography and masturbation but perhaps someone that has suffered the most.  I have pondered these sins.  I do not want to discuss if there are sins more destructive than other sins – this is not my point – though I have seen great destruction because of indulgence. 

I am impressed that the turning away from chaste living is at the foundation of many (perhaps even most) of our society’s ills.  And that the general acceptance of pornography and masturbation as harmless enjoyments of pleasure is the engine behind the normalizing of the entire LGBTQ+ social movement and all that comes with it.

 

The Traveler

[popatr]

I had a cousin (he died apparently from covid during the pandemic), who had a similar story, including divorce and prison time.  His ever-deepening fall was a long slow tradgedy unfolding.

My plea goes out to everyone: please trust that wickedness is not happiness.  I think he knew it but lost his self preservation and self control.

[D.PatrickTate]

8 hours ago, Traveler said:

Throughout much of my life, especially as an engineer, I have spent much time analyzing product failures to determine the cause that brought about the failure.  One of the trails of consideration are things that occurred concurrent with failure that do not occur during successful operations. 

My path recently intersected with a person I have know for many years.  This individual, I believe to have good elements – He is a hard worker and is one of the best at his craft.  I have employed his talents in the past and whenever in specific need I have considered his services.  However, he is not doing well.  He has failed for a second time at marriage, his children will visit with him but they do not trust him or respect him, he has lost his membership in the Church and spent prison time.  I have never know him to be so depressed and sad – with himself.

I believe his problem go back to decades when he was an athlete on full scholarship with national honors.  Actually, even before all his successes – including a church mission.  As a young man this individual got involved with pornography and masturbation.   Though he repented and abstained – he failed to maintain and each time he fell, he fell deeper.  Eventually his falling harmed those closest to him – including his children and especially his wife.   He has lost any confidence that he can resist any moral temptations or control his urgers.

My wife and I talked briefly of his heartbreaking failure.  This individual is not the only individual we know that has suffered from pornography and masturbation but perhaps someone that has suffered the most.  I have pondered these sins.  I do not want to discuss if there are sins more destructive than other sins – this is not my point – though I have seen great destruction because of indulgence. 

I am impressed that the turning away from chaste living is at the foundation of many (perhaps even most) of our society’s ills.  And that the general acceptance of pornography and masturbation as harmless enjoyments of pleasure is the engine behind the normalizing of the entire LGBTQ+ social movement and all that comes with it.

 

The Traveler

Well said The Traveler!

I do believe that this problem is common in all denominations of Christianity and is a possible area of common ground that Latter day Saints could use to begin interfaith dialogue that is win, win, win, win as opposed to win or lose.