This weekend I had the opportunity to listen to a Prophet’s voice. Twice a year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a General Conference where the leadership of the church address the worldwide membership in an effort to unify and strengthen us. I take joy and solace in knowing that our Heavenly Father continues to lead and guide his children (myself included) through a prophet on the Earth today. To listen to the General Conference you can visit gc.lds.org

One of the takeaways from this conference for me is to try and choose more wholesome forms of entertainment in my life. I’m not a big movie-goer but I do watch too much TV. Some of my favorite shows have included The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Survivor, the Amazing Race, NCIS and others. After a lesson I gave in deacon’s quorum a few months ago and talks from this conference I have to ask myself however if they are appropriate forms of entertainment?

Some things are cut and dry for me. President Ezra Taft Benson said, “Don’t see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic.” In my opinion, there is no exception. After all, if I believe he was a prophet of God, and I do, why would I choose to disobey him? Other choices are more difficult and sometimes intentionally. The Lord said, “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.” He hasn’t given us direct commandments regarding which shows we can and cannot watch but he has given us guidelines. Most recently at this Sunday’s conference, President Thomas S. Monson said, “Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the inuendo and outright filth which is often found there.” (Watch his complete talk below.) It will be difficult to avoid all TV shows which portray behavior which is in opposition to the laws of God, but I’m going to try. Additional counsel is given in For the Strength of the Youth:

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.

The bar has been set very high and by my analysis none of my favorite shows I listed above seem to pass the bar. Nearly everything on television portrays immorality as acceptable. That is such a difficult bar and it eliminates much of what is on TV today. I will, however strive to eliminate these programs from regular television viewing. I take comfort in knowing that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost, which will give me strength and help me make good choices. Moroni 7:12-19 President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and I will strive to obey his counsel. As Boyd K. Packer said in the recent conference, “If someone is looking for a church that requires very little, this is not the one.”