Clean hands and a pure heart lds4/2/2024 I recognize that I am taking a step into relatively uncharted territory within the Latter-day Saint community by revealing my own identity as one who has struggled with these demoralizing and degrading practices. Though I will not discuss in detail the behaviors that constitute sexual addiction, I will mention pornography and masturbation as I discuss the recovery process. If this book is to be of use to those suffering from this malady, I feel I must speak with plainness. Addiction hides and thrives in the darkness of denial, rationalization, and minimization. Like Jacob, I do not wish to “enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded” (Jacob 2:9), yet I fear I may have to run that risk. If you are reading this book as a loved one of a sex addict, let me reassure you that I am keenly aware of your sorrow and your sensitivity toward these things. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Having read many of them myself, I felt acutely aware of the potential of engendering more evil by dwelling on it too explicitly. I also knew there were enough books expounding the evils of pornography. In overwhelming gratitude, I feel an intense desire to share with others my story and the principles that helped me.Īs I prayed and pondered about what to include in Clean Hands, Pure Heart, I knew I wanted to emphasize the miracle of my recovery rather than the details of the addiction itself. In fact, I endured thirty-five years of slavery to this vile degradation before I found the right combination of true principles that taught me how to come unto Christ and receive a remission of these sins. I am writing this book as one who has experienced firsthand the plague of addiction to pornography. Many have become so addicted that they have lost power to control their own destinies. We can reach out to strengthen those who wallow in the mire of pornography, gross immorality, and drugs. In more recent years, President Gordon B. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” Ensign, May 1986, 4-5) If we are to cleanse the inner vessel, we must forsake immorality and be clean. Smith said that sexual impurity would be one of the three dangers that would threaten the Church within-and so it does. (See Journal of Discourses, 8:55.) President Joseph F. This, the Prophet Joseph said, would be the source of more temptations, more buffetings, and more difficulties for the elders of Israel than any other. The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality. Quoting two earlier prophets, President Ezra Taft Benson wrote: The messages we hear with increasing regularity from our prophets are evidence of the scope of this problem. An epidemic of pornography and related inappropriate sexual behavior is sweeping over the earth, and sad to say, the Saints are not escaping unscathed.
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