Yesterday, as has happened before, a friend spoke of their disdain for this rule. Others have done likewise telling me how it wasn't spoken as a commandment from a prophet of God and didn't work anyway since the ratings system is flawed. I finally had to say something, even if it is just in this blog.
What is it about this Church that its people can't reconcile what a prophet of God or his fellow laborers have said with what the membership should do in their lives? I often hear people justify not listening to the prophet by saying, "It was only a suggestion," or "It's just a guideline and I'm mature enough to understand it." Where on earth did the prophet, the apostles or seventy ever stand up and say, "By the way, this is just a good idea. Don't worry about living it completely,"? When an authority of God even casually mentions something, we would be wise to look into it if not follow it, but when several have said it and preached it, it is not just a passing whim or fancy; it is doctrine.
Curious to know what they actually said about R-rated films? I was. I figured, Maybe I'm wrong. So many people seem to have justifiable reasons for ignoring this counsel; at least in part. Perhaps they have a valid point. There was only way to find out. Go read some quotes and talks. Here is the summary (and I emphasize summary because they don't talk about it only once or twice).
President Benson said:
"Consider carefully the words of the prophet Alma to his errant son, Corianton, Forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes. (Alma 39:9) The lusts of your eyes. In our day, what does that expression mean? Movies, television programs and video recordings that are both suggestive and lewd....We counsel you young men [and women] not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive or pornographic. Watch those shows and entertainment that lift the spirit and promote clean thoughts and actions," (April Conference, 1986; Quoted in Ensign May 1986, p. 45, emphasis added).
Presiding Bishop Peterson:
"Now, my brothers and sisters, beware of loose thinkers, be they peers or teachers. The subtlety of their influence can be disarming and destructive. Regardless of what others may do, there should not be any X- or R-rated movies that we participate in viewing or talking about. Shun them as you would the plague. A good movie with only a little pornography or vulgarity is not a good movie; it is satanic," (Bishop H. Burke Peterson, BYU Speeches Oct 25, 1983, emphasis added).
Elder Robert L Simpson (Assistant to the Council of the Twelve):
"It goes without saying that all X- and R-rated movies are automatically eliminated," (October Conference, 1972; Quoted from Ensign, Jan 1973, p112).
President Hartman Rector, Jr. (President of the First Council of the Seventy):
"Do not attend R- or X-rated movies," (October Conference, 1972; Quoted from Ensign, Jan 1973, p130).
How can we, with any true degree of honesty, say that we are following the counsel of living and modern prophets when we ignore such a simple and profound statement? We cannot - for it is clear that those representing the Savior wish us to avoid such things.
Some still say these are only guidelines and that the standard has changed and it is more open to interpretation. STANDARDS DO NOT LESSEN OVER TIME! They are built upon and strengthened, but not diminished. God does not say on one day, "Do not have sexual relations outside marriage," and on the following, "As long as you really love each other, it is okay." He does not change and will not change. As the world gets more wicked the bar will be raised to match and keep us out of filthiness.
Christ's new law was not less than the Law of Moses - it was harder. He told them that it was no longer enough to not kill; even anger was a sin. Acting on sexual desire was still bad and it was now just as bad to look and lust after. It is the same here. We were once counseled by authorized servants of God to not watch R-rated movies and the standard has not slackened, but become more strict. Read the message from the pamphlet For The Strength of Youth (which by the way, this document was prepared and approved by the First Presidency and Counsel of the Twelve):
"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable," (For the Strength of Youth, 2001).
Brothers and sisters the admonition is not only clear it is absolutely irrefutable. We do not watch R-rated movies and we must carefully screen the others. To those who do not have the same rating system as in America the same standards and rules apply: don't watch movies glamorizing gratuitous sex, violence or moral abandonment. The best counsel is to avoid it if unsure.
Remember there will be those like Bishop Peterson spoke of who subtlety lead us away from the truth, but the counsel was clear then and is stronger now: No R-rated movies and those with milder ratings should be approached cautiously. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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Historical Note on MPAA Ratings:
From 1968-1983 the ratings system had four categories. This included: G, [M(1968-1969)/GP(1970-1972)/PG(1973-today)], R, X. This system was amended with the addition of the PG-13 category in 1984 and again with the change from X to NC-17 in 1990.
[Dates were referenced from Wikipedia.org]
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