Media

Editors Note: More times than I care to count, media comes up in conversations with other parents. This is a broad topic and can go from the evil that media is or to the tool it can be. I specifically address video games in this article.

My husband's job has to deal with this subject and we need more like him in the biz helping to shape what comes out of these companies.

Being an insider, I think the most disturbing thing about the media is that those who make the slime and filth do not do it knowingly. I know that sounds very, very odd. But they do not see it as immoral. When my husband first told me this I asked........"But don't the scriptures say we are all born with a conscience? How can they look at this and not see it as immoral?"

Very long conversation ended with this conclusion......---and this tells volumes about today's society--- They have not been taught right from wrong and they are now desensitized to it. Just like my brothers who are doctors do not see blood and faint or get grossed out. Just like a mom who sees a messy diaper and just goes about business and gets it all cleaned up. These people don't "get it" because their "light" has been placed in the very deep reaches of their soul. They no longer recognize the wrong. It is quite a transformation when the light comes back burning bright. You can see it change when people repent. And that is great, but we need to stop this "light hiding" before they leave our home and/or influence. (Therein lies a very big job for parents and you can read scripture after scriptures, conference address, Ensign address and the family proclamation that backs this up.)

The conversation brought up many great points.

1. Since these people do not see this as immoral they do not see the boundaries as clear as those who have the light up front and burning bright.

2. Satan isn't "working" in the studio, he is just letting things ride because he was won those souls...yes, every now and then, he sticks his head in the studio and wrecks havoc, but for the most part he is in the homes of those who have the light shining brightly trying to dim it or push it back to the back corners of the child's soul. Notice I said child's soul. When Satan can win them young......he can tear a couple families apart. One that the child is in and the one the child could or will have. The makers are aiming at the 16-26 year olds that have money to burn in their pocket. They are also ooking for the young moms to "allow" these games into their homes so those young souls can get hooked. Be very careful not to let Satan in your home.

3. Pray for them; for the creative souls the Lord sent here to create beauty but somewhere along the path let that part of their purpose slide out of view.

4. Pray that there will be someone on the development team that will show them the errors of their way; that will show them that they did have a light and that they can make it shine once again.

5. Educate yourself and your children, not by seeing the shows, movies, reading the books, listening to the music or playing the games, but by knowing what is in the "media" (many web site have previews, screenit.com for one) and then educate your children as to why you have decided as a family something isn't right for your family. It is valid to decide that anything with a certain rating is just not acceptable and you personally won't have to preview the material. They will have to make choices sooner than you want them too and if they are armed they will make correct choices. Role play situations while they are young.

6. Celebrate wholesome and wonderful things! And support them as much as you can with your dollar. Fortunately or unfortunately this country is ruled by the all might greenback. My favorite children's software company folded because they couldn't keep programmers; they left for higher paying jobs at other companies. Why? Because moms and dads weren't forking over the bucks for their programs like the teens and young adults have been doing.

7. Pray that your child will be guarded against the push of media and the all consuming push of their peers.

8. Lastly SET THE EXAMPLE!

Can I tell you how much #4 needs to be emphasized? That is where my husband is. He programs for the Xbox and does the "harmless" NFL Fever game. You would think harmless. But he sat in a prescreening meeting and had to tell the head guys that football was not about the cheerleaders! (The opening "movie" was all cheerleaders.) I am so thankful that the head guys listened to him and cut most of it out (I think they are in a shot but they aren't up close---don't recall haven't seen or played the game for a very long time.) We need to pray for the one soul on the creative team that says, "You know we don't really need this filth in our product." And we need more of them on the teams.

by Doreen Blanding

Disclaimer: Though WALDSFE, Helaman's Academy and/or Doreen Blanding does its best to thoroughly screen every product, company, website and individual listed on these pages, please note that WALDSFE, Helaman's Academy and/or Doreen Blanding does not endorse any product, company, website or individual listed. If you have a problem with a page, find broken links, or companies that no longer support homeschooling please send email .