Has it Come to This?

Sometimes I worry about raising kids in this crazy world. It often seems as if there is an abundance of evil and not enough good to go around. It is a different world than it was during my childhood - way too many years ago. Granted, I did live a somewhat sheltered life, growing up in a town where most of my friend shared my religious beliefs. There was definitely trouble to be found, but it was relatively easy to avoid if you were paying attention. But, that concept seems to have died along with poufy bangs, slap bracelets, and Saved by the Bell. Trouble is elusive no more. It often comes knocking, even when you have no intention of seeking it out.

A few weeks ago, my ten year old son was doing a search on the Internet for "football pictures." He had a school assignment to decorate his notebook with things that described him and his interests, and football is at the top of that list. His innocent search brought up a pornographic image that our Internet filter had failed to catch. His unsuspecting eyes got quite a show, and he was deeply affected. We have had frank discussions about pornography with him in the past, knowing that this day was inevitable. I had no idea that it would come so soon. He is, after all, only ten years old! No child of that age (or any age, really) should have to deal with something so filthy. The scary thing is - ten is not too young for curiosity to start, and one image may be all that it takes to start a young boy down a path that has the potential to enslave him.

Luckily, my son had the presence of mind to immediately shut down the window containing the image. He didn't come tell me right away, like he probably should have. But, he couldn't go to sleep that night without relating the experience to me. He was so disturbed that he waited up for his dad, who was at a late meeting, to get home. He desperately wanted a Priesthood blessing, hoping for some relief from the filth that was plaguing his mind.

It has been a few weeks since this incident, and he still occasionally mentions that the effects have not completely subsided. Unfortunately, that image may continue to pop into his head throughout his life. For good or bad, the mind has a way of retaining information, even if we wish it would be permanently deleted. He is fighting it, and I am confidant that it will not always stay at the forefront of his mind. But, I am absolutely certain that something similar will happen again at some point in the future, perhaps multiple times. Satan's influence over this plague is everywhere, finding it's way to the most unsuspecting victims. I know that it will not go away - only worsen as time passes - presenting a challenge to us as parents, as well as to the youth that it will attempt to entice and ultimately enslave.

These youth are strong and equal to the fight ahead of them. I have no doubt that they will be victorious in the end. But, that will not happen without a few casualties. I am so glad that I listened to the spirit and had a candid discussion about the evils of pornography with my two young boys. I didn't know if they would even really understand what I was saying. Now I sit, wondering what would have happened if I had not. Would this ten year old boy have known to RUN from such things, or would he have clicked on the image out of innocent curiosity to explore it further?

Frightening thought, indeed.