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Jonathan Decker is a marriage and family therapist moonlighting as a film critic, providing Hollywood movie reviews from a Latter-day Saint perspective at Mormon Movie Guy. He also writes for Meridian Magazine and Mommy Bear Media. Jonathan has a background in independent film and stage performance, including two years with the popular BYU humor group Divine Comedy. Find and follow Jonathan on Facebook and Twitter.
When it comes to media, it used to be that General Authorities warned us mostly about pornography. In recent years, however, the Brethren have increasingly turned their attention to the portrayals of violence that are so prevalent at the cinema, on TV, and in video games. We are directed, in the most recent version of the
For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, to "not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable."
Accepting, as I do, the words of modern prophets and apostles as if from the Lord himself (
D&C 1:38) this poses a conundrum, as I love action films, a genre of entertainment that absolutely portrays violence as acceptable. Of course, if it were necessary, I’d like to believe that I would sacrifice my favorite manly movies in order to "be diligent in keeping the commandments of God as they are written." (
Alma 37:20)
But wait just one minute. Isn’t there violence in Church movies? Should we avoid
The Testaments because it shows the Lord being whipped and crucified? Is
Joseph Smith - The Prophet of the Restoration inappropriate for my kids because it portrays the great restorer gunned down at Carthage Jail? Can I get an edited version of
The Whole Armor of God, as it has a sword fight representing our battle sin? Could
O Ye Fair Ones be run through Clearplay? After all, I don’t want to sit through that scene of a river flowing with blood after the Nephites are wiped out.
Please don’t misunderstand my humor as calling the Brethren into question. I’m absolutely not. I stand by my testimony that the kingdom is led by living prophets and apostles. But how do we account for this supposed discrepancy between the counsel we’ve received from Church leaders and the films they themselves have overseen and approved? Is violence ever acceptable in arts and entertainment?
