Latter-day Saints in Need – A Conference on Overcoming Pornography
By Sean E. Brotherson

Introduction

There is a singular scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants on strengthening each other.  Doctrine and Covenants 108:7 counsels:

“Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings” (emphasis added).

That’s pretty comprehensive.  All of your conversation, all your prayers, all your exhortations, and all your doings — strengthen each other.  So, we have a divine mandate to be uplifting and supportive and helpful to each other.  It is, in essence, a divine command.

Facing Trouble Head On

I did not set out in my life as a father, friend, church member and family professional to learn about pornography and its effects.  Frankly, I would have liked to leave the topic alone.  Unfortunately, avoiding the topic has not really been an option.  During the past two decades, I have seen pornography and its effects overwhelm good men, loving couples, and faithful church leaders.  In watching how individuals deal with its effects personally or how church leaders try to counsel others, I have watched many people struggle and suffer under the burdens of pornography and its patterns of pain.

As a small sampling of what I have observed and experienced:

• I have listened in empathy as a childhood friend and fellow father recounts with anger and frustration the exposure of a teenage son to the devouring effects of pornography.

• I have watched with pain in my heart as a fellow colleague discovers the lies and infidelity of a husband who has become drawn away by the lure of pornographic material.

• I have counseled with men who struggle to remain morally worthy while seeing themselves with fear and loathing because they feel unable to control their actions in viewing pornography.

• I have deliberated in council with fellow church leaders to guide men and women in the path of repentance when their lives have become trapped by the pull and weight of addictions to pornography.

This is the tip of the iceberg.  Hardly a week now goes by that I do not encounter another story, another life in pain, another wife wounded by a spouse’s poor behavior, another man or woman haunted by addictions they cannot seem to control, another church or community leader who is frustrated by their inability to help people they counsel make any progress.

We cannot afford, as I wish we could do, to not face this trouble head on — for ourselves, for our families, and for our Latter-day Saint faith community.

We as Latter-day Saints are pretty good about helping and strengthening others when there is an obvious physical need.  But what about when the need involves a psychological addiction, emotional pain, or relationship struggles?  The need is great, but at times our knowledge and tools need to be increased and sharpened for us to truly be a help.  So it is with the problem of pornography.

We, as Latter-day Saints, must more proactively work to gain the knowledge, insight, tools, and strength we need to face head on the problems associated with pornography.  Meridian Magazine, the LDS Marriage Network, and other organizations have come together to begin.  We need your help.  Let me say that more clearly:  WE NEED YOUR HELP.

A More Excellent Hope — A Conference on Overcoming Pornography and Sexual Addiction

To make a difference in overcoming pornography, we must focus on issues of spirituality, recovery, and healing.  We must bring hope.  Providing insight, answers and hope regarding issues of pornography and sexual addiction will be the focus of our upcoming conference, “A More Excellent Hope: Keys to Overcoming Pornography and Sexual Addiction.”  This is our attempt to more actively meet the issue head on. 

The conference is being held on March 10, 2007 in Provo, Utah, at the La Quinta Inn.  This event is intended to give individuals, community professionals, clergy, family members and others some of the tools they need to provide help, healing and hope in regard to challenges resulting from pornography and sexual addiction.

Those who struggle, those who minister to or counsel them, spouses and family members often look long and hard for help, answers and hope in dealing with issues related to pornography or sexual addiction.  Pornography and sexual addiction can threaten and destroy healthy relationships and individual well-being.  People look for hope, yet translating that hope into a healthy, functional path toward recovery can be challenging. 

We have worked hard to put together a conference with presenters who can help to provide the answers and hope that people need — a more excellent hope based in the Savior’s loving message of healing, grace, and redemption.

Specifically, the conference will focus on keys to overcoming pornography and sexual addiction that include overcoming compulsive behavior, spiritual doctrines and practices to aid recovery, healing for individuals and family members, and treatment of addiction and hurt relationships.  Featured presenters at this conference are national leaders in addressing the treatment of such concerns in spiritual contexts, and include all of the following:

The conference presenters will present on topics ranging from compulsion to agency, relationships and grace in recovery, the impact of accountability processes and men’s workshops, Christ-centered healing, essential tools for spiritual recovery, parenting practices that protect children from pornography, and the pursuit of healthy intimacy in marriage. 

The objective is to offer practical, applied, and spiritually based keys to overcoming pornography and sexual addiction and healing relationships.  Attendees will learn of cutting-edge prevention and intervention approaches, receive answers from key professionals in the field, and develop knowledge and skills to actively address needs related to overcoming these challenges and promoting recovery.

The conference is intended for individuals, spouses and family members, clergy and religious leaders, mental health professionals, counselors, social workers, community leaders and others who care about this challenging issue.  The conference is organized by the LDS Marriage Network and Meridian Magazine, with partners and sponsors including the Family Leader Foundation, strengtheningmarriage.com, Growth Climate, Family Dynamics International, the Family Life Education Institute, National Healthy Marriage Institute, and Beautifully Modest (an online clothing store with bridal and formal collections.

The conference will be held at La Quinta Inn, 1454 South University Avenue, in Provo, Utah on March 10, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Interested individuals can get more information or register for the conference at the conference web site (http://www.amoreexcellenthope.org), or contact Joseph White, conference director 402/202-1665 or josephwhite.sr@gmail.com).  Seating for the conference is limited and includes a luncheon.  Costs are $75 per person and $140 per couple; there is also a student rate of $45 per person.  Continuing education units are pending for those interested.

How Can I Help?

I have been asked by many, many people, in desperation, what they might do begin overcoming the effects of pornography or to help those they love or counsel to overcome this problem.  That is why we have put together A More Excellent Hope.  We hope it can provide tools, answers, insight and hope.  How can you help?  Four ways:

We will be sharing more about the outcomes of this conference on Meridian in the next few weeks.  We hope to see many of you there. 

For further information or to share feedback, contact:

• Joseph White, Ph.D., 402/202-1665; josephwhite.sr@gmail.com  
• Sean Brotherson, Ph.D., 701/231-8113; brotherson@meridianmagazine.com