Latter-Day parents know they must talk, and talk, and talk ... and talk.

Earlier this week I was scrolling through my FaceBook feed, when I came across pornography.  I was shocked and saddened that it was posted by a long-time trusted, and respected friend.  My first inclination was to give him the benefit of the doubt, and to guess that someone had "hacked" his account.  Honestly, I hope that is what happened.  However, I realized, if I had seen this on James' account, or on Ben's or Brianna's future accounts, there would be no second chances for that person.  And so, I unfriended him.  I am sad that it happened, but I feel like I did the right thing.
With that on my mind, today I read an article about pornography.  Written by a man who used to be a defender of pornography.  He used to work for a magazine that offered "soft porn".  It talked about how he has now come to understand how destructive and damaging, addictive and pervasive pornography actually is.  How it is totally ruining the rising generation.  How their "sex education" is coming from online porn; and how that is twisting their expectations, understanding, and character.  It referenced interviews with sexually active teenage girls, and told how disturbing and aggressive their sexual experiences had been, as they and/or their partner was getting the ideas and "know how" from porn.  Most of the kids interviewed say that they come across it on their FaceBook feed.  How I wish the "no second chances" policy was universal.
I am sickened to realize that we live in a world where my children WILL be exposed to pornography.  I can be (and already am) open with my kids, but ultimately they must choose.  And, unfortunately, I think Alexander Pope was on target when he wrote:

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744) An Essay on Man, 1733-1734 

What if, through bystander exposure, they first endure, then pity, then embrace??  All I can do is teach them the gospel, show the way by example, pray for them, keep open communication, pray for our nation and the world, and leave it in the Lord's hands.  This is the first time I have genuinely felt that maybe the Pioneers really did have it easier.

Yes, they had to "walk, and walk, and walk", but they didn't have to sit their kids down and explain to them what pornography is, and what it can do to them.  And then, because my kids always want to know why, try to explain the evil that exists in the hearts of men; and about how Satan is SO hateful that we have bodies, that he will do all that he can to degrade, distort, and disenchant our view of our bodies and the bodies of others.  We have to "talk, and talk, and talk."  And, we cannot stop, or hope that someone else will do it for us.