Neal A. Maxwell
"Another of the consequences of gross sexual immorality with its desensitization is that it begins to rob man of hope. As an individual is emptied of hope, despair quickly enters in, for as one prophet said, ’Despair cometh because of iniquity.’ (Moroni 10:22.) Thus wickedness and despair are terrifyingly self-reinforcing.
“More than we know, the alienation abroad in the land is due in significant measure to the gross sexual immorality—before which faith, hope, and charity all fall, for that special triad of virtues is savaged by unchastity. Immorality enthrones selfishness, that implacable foe of charity.” (Notwithstanding My Weakness, p. 97)
Neal A. Maxwell
“The prophet Moroni said, ’Despair cometh because of iniquity.’ (Moroni 10:22.) When iniquity increases, so do despair and alienation. Paul also said the ignorance of the everlasting truths would cause unbelievers to be ’alienated from the life of God.’ (Ephesians 4:18.) No wonder we despair when we sin, because we act against our own interests and against who we really are. When we are imprisoned by iniquity, we turn the cell lock ourselves.” (Things As They Really Are, p. 8)