A recent speaker said pornography is Satan's last great attempt to prevent the church for preparing for the Savior's return.

Pornography is a major problem, even in the BYU community. Thomas Alvord, president of BYU's Students That Oppose Pornography club, has researched the prevalence of pornography at both national and local levels.

Alvord learned that 95 percent of children under the age of 10 have seen pornography of some kind. At the national level, Alvord has read that 90 percent of university students admit to using pornography.

"We would hope that here in Utah we would not be following the trend of the nation," Alvord said. "However, we may be setting the trend. Utah ranks No.1 nationwide in Google searches for pornography."

A Deseret News article from October 2007 confirms this fact and gives other top Google searches in Utah.

Alvord has talked with bishops about the prevalence of pornography. Based on his discussions with these ecclesiastical leaders, he estimates that 80 to 90 percent of BYU males have sought out pornography at some point, but that only 10 to 30 percent currently have a problem.

Writing about pornography in a 1998 Ensign article, President Gordon B. Hinckley said the pornography industry "is a five-billion-dollar business for those who produce it. They make it as titillating and attractive as they know how. It seduces and destroys its victims. It is everywhere. It is all about us. I plead with you young men not to get involved in its use. You simply cannot afford to. The girl you marry is worthy of a husband whose life has not been tainted by this ugly and corrosive material."

To combat this problem, Students That Oppose Pornography is sponsoring two events as part of Utah's White Ribbon Against Pornography month.

"Porn Uncovered" occurred on Thursday in the Varsity Theatre. John Harmer, a former lieutenant governor of California, has been involved in the legal battle against pornography for over 40 years and addressed BYU students. Harmer is chairman of the Lighted Candle Society, an organization focused on combating the pervasive influence of pornography in society.

The Lighted Candle Society aims to prosecute the pornography industry in the same way prosecutors attacked the tobacco industry. Justin Hart, vice president of communications for the society, explained it is not possible to use moral arguments in a court of law.

To prosecute the pornography industry, Lighted Candle Society has financed scientific research to prove that pornography causes severe problems within the brain. When researchers conducted fMRI scans on individuals who have been addicted to pornography for years, it was clear that "the part of the brain that deals with moral behavior failed to develop properly," Hart said. Essentially the person is brain damaged.

Harmer said the brain releases chemicals when it is exposed to pornography. Men confuse this chemical reaction with sexual intimacy.

"When a man sees pornography he has an experience that he thinks is sexual orgasm," Harmer said. "It's not sexual orgasm. That's the problem. When he then has intimate relations with his wife and doesn't have the same experience, he blames her. It has nothing to do with her."

Harmer has spoken at many church firesides. Each bishop or stake president has told Harmer that pornography is the single biggest problem they face.

"The blight of pornography is Satan's last great hope to prevent the church from fulfilling its mission of preparing the earth for the savior's return," Harmer said.

Harmer said self-righteous arrogance often leads men of the church to justify pornography. Many individuals attend their church meetings, pay tithing, go to the temple and feel they are still righteous members of the church. "Pornography is, above all else, a work of deceitfulness," Harmer said.

Students That Oppose Pornography is also holding a workshop with Women's Services and Resources. The seminar, titled "Pornography & Relationships: A Discussion We All Must Have," is geared toward women, and will teach them what they need to know about pornography.

The workshop will focus on three main topics. The first topic addresses why individuals get involved with pornography, how it affects behaviors and relationships and common myths about pornography.

The second topic of the workshop addresses specific questions that are critical for women to ask their significant others. Women will learn about symptoms of pornography and behaviors to look for.

The third and final topic of the workshop addresses technological ways to protect families against pornography.

The program will run on four different days in March. The workshop aims to help explain the dangers of pornography so fewer women will experience the heartbreak that comes when a loved one is addicted to pornography

"Pornography is destroying lives and it may literally destroy the next generation," Alvord said. "Education for each of us can change both our personal worlds and the world. I call upon everyone to learn a little more. So, come to the lecture and workshop. You won't be disappointed."

Workshop Dates

March 5 - 6- 8p.m. WSC 3223

March 11 -5-6 p.m. WSC 3222

March 17 -4-5 p.m. WSC 3222

March 27 -11 a.m.-noon WSC 3252

Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Mar 2008