Moral and religious issues have come to the forefront of the political arena. For example, Jim Matheson and his colleagues are addressing the poison of pornography. Hopefully the bill will go beyond mere "syntax" and remain exactly what it is, and what some have labeled it, "sin tax" legislation.

The promiscuity of this evil is costing society untold and grave consequences. It is wrong and it is destructive to families and all other interpersonal relations. For 70 years this country ignored slavery and it cost us dearly. In the Constitutional Convention George Mason, while fervently attacking the institution of slavery, prophesied that "Providence punishes national sins by national calamities."

How long are we going to ignore the pornography epidemic? The calamities are all about us. Yet we seem complacent because they are either, one, not recognizable, or two, they haven't affected us personally.

Can we call pornography and all other sexual promiscuity what it really is? The disregard of chastity and infidelity comes with calamitous consequences. If self-indulgence in ignominious behavior doesn't destroy civilizations, where are the bright lights of Babylon and the towering high rises of Sodom and Gomorrah? Why the blighted downtowns of America? Are we too blind to admit the obvious?

Why the broken families? Why the untold number of addictions? Honestly consider the social cost from the social issues stemming from sexual perversion. Elder Dallin H. Oaks clearly stated recently, "Pornography impairs one's ability to enjoy a normal, emotional, romantic and spiritual relationship with a person of the opposite sex. It erodes the moral barriers that stand against inappropriate, abnormal or illegal behavior." Normal relationships are dissolving far too often because of behavior dictated by immediate and selfish gratification.

When the producers of pornography use the argument that they have freedom of the press and speech let us unequivocally say, "So do we, and we are rightfully exercising them." No matter what the consequences, let us stand for truth and virtue. Letters, phone calls and organized campaigns do work. If any state in the union has the express capability of meeting this challenge it is Utah.

Indeed, it would take all who are indignant concerning the infiltration of pornography in this great nation to come forth, en masse, and say to our politicians, industry, media, even all the people of the land, even demand with a voice as of thunder, "No more!"

Rep. Matheson, as a father, as a religious educator, as a Republican state delegate and a concerned citizen, you have my support. Tax them. And when that fails, use your position as a member of the U.S. Congress and call upon the populace to undermine the pornography industry, eventually eradicating the media, the movies and magazine racks from such filth.

In turn, let us do our part by not purchasing it, not double-clicking on it and not turning to it. "Let us all improve our personal behavior," Elder Oaks said, "and redouble our efforts to protect our environment from the onslaught of pornography that threatens our spirituality, our marriages and our children." A call to the battle is a call from the couch of complacency.

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Ryan Jenkins is the principal of the Davis Junior High LDS Seminary.