Rantings and Ratings

“Don’t see R-rated movies.”

These words, spoken by a prophet of God are both famous and infamous. The idea is floating out there in the LDS community that this counsel was only intended for the young men of the Church. Some have said that, of all the many reasons to abstain from watching R-rated movies, a desire to follow the prophet is not one because the prophet never gave this counsel to the membership of the church at large. This convenient theory grants its adherents immunity from the grave sin of knowingly acting directly contrary to the counsels of God, but it begs this important question: are you sure?

In addressing this topic, I want to discuss some spiritual principles, in the context of the address by President Ezra Taft Benson from which the above quotation is taken. I’m not trying to condemn or coerce anyone, but I may speak forcefully. You have been forewarned. : )

As a member of the media community and an aspiring filmmaker, I have an appreciation for things of great value contained in the productions of people whose standards differ from my own. There are many men and women of great insight and capacity whose talents bless the world of cinema. Their perspectives are important and valuable. We can all glean significant lessons from their works, but at what cost do these lessons come? What is the price of the benefit they give us?

Unfortunately, the competitive, commercialized, corrupted system through which many (I may even say most) of the works of many sincere people come to us favors productions that appeal to the carnal man. Combined with a basic misunderstanding of reality that leads many people to believe that if it isn’t hard and edgy, it isn’t accurate, this system delivers to us what amounts to an occasional Michelangelo masterpiece in an exhibit dedicated to the works of Hugh Hefner. Most regrettable is that much of the common fare is created without any attention to the beautiful and with every intention of exploiting the basest carnal impulses. Productions such as this lack artistic merit and societal value. They are not even entertaining. They are destructive in the extreme.

It’s not to my purpose today to prove by the scriptures that profanity, vulgarity, and immorality are wrong. Instead, I turn to those principles that may apply to our interpretation of President Benson’s counsel. First among these in my mind is the oft repeated inclusion from the Doctrine and Covenants, “what I say unto one I say unto all.” This topic specifically reminds me of the instance in section 82, verse 5, which reads, “Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth.”

While many instructions in the revelations (especially in the Doctrine and Covenants) are given to address specific situations, they are included as general scriptures because the principles they contain are applicable to all. I think most Saints understand this about the Doctrine and Covenants, so it puzzles me that anyone could read a General Conference address and say “well, that doesn’t apply to me.” In case reason alone does not make this plain to us, President Benson himself does. Much has been made of the fact that he opens his address by saying, “Tonight I would like to speak directly to you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood.” Lest this lead anyone to believe that his message is exclusively for the youth, however, he says in the very next sentence, “I am grateful that many of your fathers and priesthood leaders are with you, for I would like them to hear my message also (emphasis added).”

The Prophet plainly declares that the standards he is about to discuss apply to everyone, not just the youth. If any group is excluded from his instructions, it is the female members since none of them are ever mentioned, yet no one argues that the “R” standard applies to the young men and not the young women. The fallacy of that position is apparent.

It may also be supposed that this statement includes the fathers only so they can be aware of and teach the standards in their homes. This is true. Near the end of the address President Benson makes it clear that they are to teach these things by modeling them. “Do nothing in your life to cause your sons to stumble because of your example. Guide your sons. Teach them.”

Consider the hypocrisy of doing otherwise. Should we say that media influences that would damage our youth are perfectly harmless to adults? Even if adults are better equipped to deal with certain topics and ideas, do they need to be exposed to filth to do it? Can we expect our young men to stay away from R-rated movies if we see them in the theater, talk about their virtues, calling them “good,” and purchase them for our homes? “What I say unto one I say unto all.”

For those who still are not convinced that the Prophet was speaking to them, consider this, “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. (Doctrine and Covenants 58:26)” Perhaps the instruction hasn’t been given to the Church as a whole because by the time we are adults we should not need to be told.

We have been called upon to be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9)” unto the Lord and to separate ourselves from the world. In what way can we separate ourselves? There are many, but ask yourself this, when you think of popular culture, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Music? Television? Movies? For many people, the defining characteristic of our culture is the media – the very thing the Prophets and Apostles warn us to use cautiously over and over. If we’re enthusiastically receiving movies with the worst rating you can find at the local theater, are we really separating ourselves from the world? What do they receive these ratings for? Is it ever simply, “ideas too advanced for children?” No, it is for violence, sexual content, nudity, language, and other explicit material, euphemistically described by worldly organizations. How peculiar are we when we partake of these things? How holy? As President Benson says in the sentence before he gives the “R” standard, “the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards.” He does not specify the youthful mind.

Some people say that, since the “R” standard has never been repeated by a prophet, it must have been a mistake or merely a personal opinion. Perhaps the real reason is that it is an obvious standard. If it’s bad enough for the world to call it “R,” can it possibly be good enough for one who is not of the world? Isn’t this the baseline standard the Elder Ballard has taught us about? We just can’t accept anything below it. From this starting point, we raise the bar until we have a film worthy of our time and attention.

In saying, “Don’t see R-rated movies,” did President Benson validate anything not rated R? What he railed against in the talk was filthy, vulgar material. He mentions the rating only in passing as (it seems to me) an easy way to tell when a movie is unacceptable. The unfortunate result is that when some Latter-day Saints see any other rating they immediately cease to worry about the content of the movie. We have adopted a negative standard, which I believe the prophet never intended.

What I mean by this is that what we look for in a movie is something to object to instead of something, “virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy. (Articles of Faith 1:13)” Is it “R?” No. Good, then I can see it. Does it have nudity? No. Good, then I can see it. What is the message of the film and how much filth do you have to trudge through to get to it? It takes too much work to figure that out. Oh, well, let’s go see it.

This is not meant to be a blanket condemnation of any group of people. It is a warning. We are quick to point out the talents and skills of the movie makers (acting, writing, cinematography, special effects), but are these the greatest virtues movies can exhibit? Do we seek for them at the expense of things of eternal value? We should diligently avoid evil influences, but in so doing we should remember to look for good ones. It may be that an otherwise good movie only has a few swear words. Does that make it worthwhile? Is the benefit you gain from watching it a spiritual lesson that brings you closer to God, or is it the ability to talk about the world’s latest offering with your friends? Sometimes the answer is the first. I think that more often it is the last. We should be actively, anxiously looking to lay hold on the good gifts, not worrying about missing out on what’s popular. Indeed, if the scriptures are to be believed, it often is what’s popular that we should miss out on. We’re not really missing anything.

I believe that movies are a gift from God. The technology and artistry involved in making them are divinely revealed. But, as with everything good, the adversary of our souls seeks to use it for his own purposes. If we’re worried about missing out on movies, we should press for those that meet our standards, not sink to the level of whatever others want to offer for their own gain. The price is too high.

I could continue on this topic for a while, but this is already much too long. Perhaps another day I’ll talk more about the real problem and how to fix it. In the meantime, follow the prophet. “Don’t see R-rated movies.”