Media Influence

I have recently been reflecting on my choice of media and entertainment and the influence it has on me mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I feel that I have been doing much better in my "media screening." For example, I used to be a very avid listener of rap and hip-hop music, justifying it by saying that I "don't listen to the words, but I enjoy the beat." However, I, in fact, was listening to the words. I know this because I was able to sing along, word for word, many of the songs that would come on the radio. Did it change my behavior? It is quite possible, though I wasn't monitoring or tracking behavior at that period.

I still read my scriptures, attended my church meetings, fulfilled my calling, prayed, did my home teaching, and felt I was living a life in adherence to the Gospel. The problem was, every time I watched General Conference, I would say to myself, "I ought to stop listening to rap." I would stop for about two weeks and then find myself tuning in again.

I think that says something about my character. It also shows my commitment to inspiration given by my Heavenly Father, through the Holy Ghost, concerning things I personally need to work on to become more like Him.

There have been various studies published defending both sides of the argument, but I personally agree with those studies which provide that media does in fact affect ones' behavior.

Elder Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once said in a Conference talk that "the choices we make in media can be symbolic of the choices we make in life. Choosing the trendy, the titillating, the tawdry in the TV programs or movies we watch can cause us to end up, if we’re not careful, choosing the same things in the lives we live." (source)

Media can be used for good, as we see with educational programs, news, history programs, and even some TV shows and movies that uphold family values and positive actions. But it is time that we remember what the Lord taught us in the scriptures that "for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

My plea is that we all reevaluate our decisions in regards to the type of programs we watch and music we listen to, because I know that they do directly affect our behavior and either grant to us or deny us the blessings of strict obedience to the laws of God.