In recent years, the Parents Television Council, a non-profit, non-partisan group concerned about the quality of television programs, has been making careful watch of network shows. Several researchers regularly keep count of the number of objectionable items being aired, then publish reports of their findings. The results are alarming, and they ought to concern every member of the Church.

Today's shows are laced with vulgarities, sexual immorality, crudities, violence and foul language. Words that a generation ago would have been edited out without question now are considered commonplace on both television and radio.

The group's most recent study showed that the traditional family hour, which was defined as between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Eastern and Pacific time zones and between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Mountain and Central, has disappeared in the United States.

In previous generations, networks set aside this time to present programs that would be suitable for the entire family. Today, according to the study, families could find 18.1 examples of objectionable material per each family hour on the UPN network. CBS, the least offending network, aired 3.22 objectionable items per hour. On all networks combined, foul language was up 78 percent over the previous study, conducted in 1999. On average, people could expect to hear 6.07 examples of profanity on network television during the family hour, and, judging by the long-term trends, the problem will get only worse.

Although the study did not look at the problem in other nations, it is fair to say this is not a trend unique to the United States. In any event, American programs are commonly offered on networks in other countries, and cable systems make them easily accessible in Europe and elsewhere.

Never before has it been so important for parents to take control of their family's viewing habits. Never before has it been so important for every individual to monitor what he or she decides to view individually, even without children around. At stake is each person's eternal soul.

Despite what some would say, visual and audio stimulus is not benign. The brain records what it sees and hears, making it all available for instant recall. A steady diet of such filth will make it a part of a person's character, thoughts and actions. With such stimulus at work inside the mind, how can the Spirit of the Lord find its way in?

This is not a new problem. The scriptures are filled with admonitions to keep the mind and the heart clean and free from evil influences and thoughts. Speaking to his errant son, Corianton, the prophet Alma said, "Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (Alma 39:9.)

What did Alma mean by "the lusts of your eyes"? A modern prophet, President Ezra Taft Benson, answered that specific question. Speaking to young Aaronic Priesthood holders, he defined it as, "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 movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic. Don't listen to music that is degrading." (Ensign, May 1986, p. 43.)

As early as 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball told family fathers to "be worthy watchmen. Be concerned about the types of programs your family is watching on television or hearing on radio. There is so much today that is unsavory and degrading, so much that gives the impression that the old sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are the 'in thing' to do today." (Ensign, May 1978, p. 45.)

Those words are so much more important today, given the increase in the amount of filth that can so easily find its way into every home.

In one sense, modern parents are blessed with opportunities, through videos and special channels, to access more uplifting and inspiring programs than ever before. But the free stuff — the programming that networks once employed content reviewers to guard because of the vulnerability of the audience by which it could be accessed — is now among the most disgusting and harmful available.

No concerned parent would allow someone to utter multiple profanities and sexual jokes per hour in their home. Why, then, would they allow such things to enter in through an electronic box, complete with the laughter of an unseen, approving audience?