Brigham Young University

Rated R Movies
A Doctrine-Based Viewpoint of a Never-Ending Controversy

Wade Murdock
REL C 333 Teachings of the Living Prophets
Brother Griffiths
26 March 2015

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Wade Murdock
Sec 005
Rated R Movies: A Doctrine-Based Viewpoint of a Never-Ending Controversy
In my experience, bringing up the topic of rated R movies in front of an adult Mormon
audience can sometimes lead to bold commentary or voicings of conflicting opinions, leading to
painful silences or even furthered confusion on the subject. One might say that the most popular
viewpoint of rated R movies in the Church can be summarized in the following statement:
Some church leader at some point told us not to watch Rated R movies, so were not allowed
to. In fact, my roommate expressed these very thoughts when I asked him his opinion: The
prophets told us not to, so I dont.
The stigma in the Church against rated R movies certainly does stem from a statement
given by a prophet, but its context might be slightly different than what some members might
think. The following is a statement made by President Bensondirected particularly to the
young men of the Churchin its context:

Consider carefully the words of the prophet Alma to his errant son, Corianton, Forsake
your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes (Alma 39:9).
The lusts of your eyes. In our day, what does that expression mean?
Movies, television programs, and video recordings that are both suggestive and lewd.
Magazines and books that are obscene and pornographic.
We counsel you, young men, not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for
the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated

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movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive,
or pornographic. Don't listen to music that is degrading (Benson).

Here, President Benson mentions Rated R movies with one goal in mind: to keep our
minds free of material that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic. Many rated R films
undoubtedly contain such material. Growing up, I faithfully followed the standard set by the
Mormon culture to never watch rated R movies, and Im probably better for it. As a young man, I
likely didnt have the sense of judgment required to make good decisions of what films to go see.
This statement by President Benson is thus particularly beneficial for the young men of the
Church, to whom it was directed. Though part of my goal is to introduce new perspectives to the
issue, I would still say that I personally find it is a wise decision to completely avoid rated R
films altogether. Having said that, we need to be wary to not turn our practice of Church
principles into a pharisaical one by building a fence around the law (creating clear-cut,
thoughtless rules and regulations) and giving ourselves a false sense of safety. The choices we
make should be made with reason, logic, and guidance by the Spiritincluding our choices in
media consumption.
Before we reprimand fellow members for watching rated R movies, we need to remember
that President Benson did not command all Church members to blindly follow the Motion
Picture Association of America (MPAA)s guidelines. In fact, Elder H. Burke Peterson stated in a
1993 session of General Conference that our [movie] standards should not be dictated by the
rating system (Peterson). This principle seems to be less widely taught and understood in the
Church than the overdrawn no rated R movies rule. Such is exemplified by a statement made
by famed Mormon celebrity Donny Osmond in response to a question regarding rated R movies:

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You are right on in your understanding of what our prophet has taught the members of the
church concerning R-rated movies. [] the fact is that a standard has been set by our prophet.
He literally has drawn a line (Osmond). Elder Lynn G. Robbins directly contrasts this viewpoint
with a statement made in a 2013 Brigham Young University devotional address:

It is risky for the Church to draw a line. If the speed on the freeway is sixty-five miles
per hour, how fast will people drive? Well, they will feel free to drive as fast as the limit.
If the Church were to draw a line with movies, that would be like giving permission to
watch everything up to the line. President Gordon B. Hinckley never drew a line. Neither
has President Thomas S. Monson. [] In 1986 President Ezra Taft Benson warned
members of the danger of anything R-rated or beyond. The members thought he had
drawn a line. I know that because I have heard many members of the Church say, Oh, we
can watch that movie. Its only a PG-13. The prophet gave us permission. They dont say
that last part, but that is what they are thinking, because they thought he posted a speed
limit, so to speak (Robbins).

I believe our main focus as Latter-Day Saints should be to seek media that is virtuous,
lovely, or of good report or praise-worthy (Smith)not media that simply meets a fabricated
guideline. I have always been unsure as to whether or not the Church had drawn a line with
movie ratings. It is true that the Church has drawn lines in regards to a number of other issues,
such as drugs, body piercings, and dating ages. However, the Church has notand probably
never willdraw a line in regards to movie ratings because, in the most extreme interpretation,
doing so would be submitting the Churchs judgment to that of Hollywoods.

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Works Cited
Benson, Ezra. To the Youth of a Noble Birthright. Ensign May 1986. Print.
Peterson, Burke. Touch Not the Evil Gift, nor the Unclean Thing. Ensign Nov. 1993. Print.
Osmond, Donny. R-Rated Movies? N.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.
Robbins, Lynn. Avoid It. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 17 Sep. 2013. Devotional
Address.