Ready Always / Everyday questions / Media & phones

Why won’t you watch that show (or movie) with us?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“I try to be picky about what I watch, mostly because of how it makes me feel afterward. I’m not judging you. I’ll pick the next one, and it’ll be a banger.”

Then ask them: What’s the best movie you’ve watched this year?
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

For the Strength of Youth compares media to food: “Just as your body is affected by what you eat and drink, your mind and spirit are profoundly affected by what you read, watch, and listen to.” Instead of a rating rule, it asks a question: “Think about how it makes you feel. Does it invite good thoughts?”

It asks youth to stay away from anything that “mocks sacred things or is immoral,” and to have the courage to “turn off a video or game, walk out of a movie … change your music.” It includes social media: “Don’t compare your life to what other people seem to be experiencing.”

This is a personal-judgment area, so members don’t all draw lines in the same spot. The goal is to keep the Holy Ghost with you, not to keep score.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

Philippians 4:8Think on things that are lovely and of good report
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Read in New Testament, Connected →
Moroni 7:16-19Judge by the light of Christ
16For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. 17But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. 18And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. 19Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. Read in Book of Mormon, Connected →
Psalm 101:3Set no wicked thing before mine eyes
3I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Read in Old Testament, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

Watching things together is how friends bond. Saying no can feel like rejecting the group, so friends may push back even if they mean well.

OfficialFor the Strength of Youth: Walk in God’s light ↗OfficialTopics and Questions: Media ↗

Source labels: Official = published by the Church. Scripture = the standard works. Faithful scholarship = independent Latter-day Saint researchers. Helpful, but not official.

4

For me

Think it through
  1. How do I usually feel after scrolling or watching for an hour?
  2. What would I want to watch if Jesus were on the couch with me?
  3. What’s my exit line if something gets uncomfortable?
Act in faithWhat do I already know and believe here?
Eternal perspectiveHow does God’s plan change how I see this?
Good sourcesWho could I ask: a parent, a leader, the scriptures?

Notes stay on this page while it’s open and aren’t saved or sent anywhere.

5

Practice this one

Pick a reply

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Weak Things is an independent site, not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are written to match the Church’s published teachings, and every answer links to its sources.

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