Brothers and sisters, I have a question about books and TV shows. I really like to read works with compelling stories. I like character development, especially the development of the antagonist. I’m active in the church, I go to seminary, & I try to obey all of Christ’s commandments. The thing is, I really like the books of Stephen King. His characters sometimes drink and have relations outside of marriage, details that I just ignore. He also has characters who are murderers, & I obviously don’t support that either.
I also enjoy Game of Thrones, though I avoid certain scenes. This TV show also has some things, like incest, that I obviously do not support.
For me, all this is just fiction. These aren’t real people. I’m firm in my faith and my beliefs. I know that marriage is ordained of God. I don’t read and watch these things because I like bad things, but just because I like the plot. I just try to skip the bad parts, and it doesn’t do me any harm. What do you guys think?
3 Responses to “I have a question about books and TV shows”
Pedro Cruz
2013-10-27 18:57:46
Hi Sergio. Some books and movies are clearly inappropriate and should not be read or watched. Pornographic books and movies, for example, will certainly damage anyone's spirituality. Other books and movies have only isolated inappropriate scenes that can be easily skipped. I encourage you to chat with you parents and with your bishop about these issues.
Many of the books you mentioned may be fine, but it's also true that people sometimes end up damaging their spirituality little by little, so gradually that they don't perceive it. Don't fall into that trap, brother! Best of luck to you.
Pamela Bonta
2014-08-25 07:08:44
Why is chastity important?
I have a couple of points for you to ponder...
1. If these books were made into movies (and many of them have been), would they be appropriate to watch? If you shouldn't watch the movie, maybe you shouldn't read the book.
2. What is the purpose of violence/sex/language/nudity in the book? Is it essential to the plot? And if so, why? There is a huge difference between waking up naked on a beach in a strange place with no idea how you got there, and being naked because someone is about to rape and torture you in graphic detail. The first example might be okay to read about. The second? Probably not. Similarly, It is one thing to say "he attacked him with an axe"; it is quite another to describe the scene in every gory detail.
3. What feelings does this literature cause in you? As the Strength for Youth pamphlet says, "... Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Select only media that uplifts you."
4. Is the material something you would be comfortable reading to the Saviour, or the Prophet, or the Stake President, or your Bishop, or your parents?
5. What is my moral responsibility as an LDS youth? We are supposed to be bringing others to Christ. If our choices for reading material (or TV or movies or music) promotes non-LDS values and encourages the creation of other unsuitable material, are we helping to advance the kingdom? Do we want to support the lifestyles of people who create such materials?
Just some things to think about. God bless.
Grandpa Chet
2014-08-26 08:01:52
Pamela Bonta cuts straight to the chase. It's always about choices. That's what mortal life is, and why it is. Every choice changes us in one way or another, and all our choices will make us into what we shall be eternally.
As she also noted, our choices change EVERYONE else also, in smaller increments. In what ways are we affecting our siblings? Denying we affect our brothers and sisters won't help - we are students AND student-teachers in this school.
Many of the books you mentioned may be fine, but it's also true that people sometimes end up damaging their spirituality little by little, so gradually that they don't perceive it. Don't fall into that trap, brother! Best of luck to you.
1. If these books were made into movies (and many of them have been), would they be appropriate to watch? If you shouldn't watch the movie, maybe you shouldn't read the book.
2. What is the purpose of violence/sex/language/nudity in the book? Is it essential to the plot? And if so, why? There is a huge difference between waking up naked on a beach in a strange place with no idea how you got there, and being naked because someone is about to rape and torture you in graphic detail. The first example might be okay to read about. The second? Probably not. Similarly, It is one thing to say "he attacked him with an axe"; it is quite another to describe the scene in every gory detail.
3. What feelings does this literature cause in you? As the Strength for Youth pamphlet says, "... Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Select only media that uplifts you."
4. Is the material something you would be comfortable reading to the Saviour, or the Prophet, or the Stake President, or your Bishop, or your parents?
5. What is my moral responsibility as an LDS youth? We are supposed to be bringing others to Christ. If our choices for reading material (or TV or movies or music) promotes non-LDS values and encourages the creation of other unsuitable material, are we helping to advance the kingdom? Do we want to support the lifestyles of people who create such materials?
Just some things to think about. God bless.
As she also noted, our choices change EVERYONE else also, in smaller increments. In what ways are we affecting our siblings? Denying we affect our brothers and sisters won't help - we are students AND student-teachers in this school.
*jeep! & God Bless!
---Grandpa Chet