Is the Church against all video games or just violent ones?

There are many video games that are clean, challenging, and fun, and some multiplayer games can be an enjoyable social activity. The Church is not against video games, but youth are urged to be smart in their selection of games and the amount of time they spend with them. We have been commanded to use our time wisely (see D&C 60:13). Just because something is clean and fun does not mean it is worth doing.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: “One of the ways Satan … weakens your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your time doing things that matter very little. I speak of such things as sitting for hours on end watching television or videos, playing video games night in and night out, [or] surfing the Internet” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 13).

It is all right to spend some of your time playing video games that adhere to the media standards found in For the Strength of Youth. But be willing to set down the controllers or turn off the computer and move on to something else. Don’t let video games keep you from worthwhile activities like exercising, studying the gospel, doing schoolwork, or spending time with your family.