| | There is something to be said about the disintegration of this nation today. Really, I find that if two problems, I believe, were reversed from the trend they are now, we would have no worries. Think hard about what those two issues are...Give up? Sex and family unity. Now, you have to remember that this is coming from an LDS perspective, but the principles are the same, or at least should be everywhere else across the western world.
I remember my first three years of high school. It wasn't that long ago considering I graduated in 2005, but still. It was my freshman year when I realized that the, ahem, "fashions" that not only the girls but the guys were wearing as well. I think the only time I saw more skin was when I was at the beach, and this is what they were wearing to school! What they were wearing to start on the road to being productive members of society! I couldn't believe my eyes! I had never seen this in a public school before, not even in the movies.
Eventually, it became the norm for me and I got used to seeing it everyday. But the fact that it needed to be changed stayed in the back of my mind. But what could I do? I was only a teenager, and not even one of the kids who stood out too much...Or so I thought. Then the answer came.
Throughout an active LDS teenager's high school years, they take a religious education class sometime during the day. For those who live in Utah, Idaho, and some places in Arizona, it's part of the regular school schedule. In places like in Southern California where I grew up, you know, outside the "Mormon" bubble, it's in the morning before school. It's called "Seminary". It was toward the end of my Junior year that my seminary teacher made the announcement. The school board was going to be meeting and this was our chance to speak up. Immediately, I jumped at the opportunity.
I remember getting home from school that day and telling my parents about it. They gave me a "why didn't we think of that?" look and immediately my dad started talking about how his students dress (both my parents teach at the college level) more modestly than those at my high school. He also mentioned how many schools would require a dress code for things like the Grad Night trip to Disneyland.
The day to speak to the school board came and it was a success. They asked me if they should consider getting uniforms for the schools. I told them that there would be no need to if the dress code was just enforced. They thanked me and the three other kids from my seminary class and discussed it. But we all know how fast it takes political boards to finally take action. It took an additional two times going before the board and saying, "do something now!" before they did. Finally something was done. Two weeks into my Senior year, I saw signs throughout the halls reminding people to follow the dress code. As a result, there were fewer dropouts than the years before and people were starting to understand why they were there.
Now the question you may be asking yourself is this: "What does this incident have to do with sex or family unity"? Think about the situation. What did I see my Freshman year? Paul taught "What? (and I can imagine him being very angry while writing this) Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Cor. 6:19). When you see the LDS temples scattered across the globe, what do you see on the outside? Beautiful architecture, a place that seems to shine and bring a sense of hope against the bleak world that surrounds it. When you just stand on the grounds, whether you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, you have a sense that there is something very sacred that goes on within those walls. Should we not treat our bodies the same way?
Today the idea of free sex, particularly outside of marriage, is running rampant. It's destroying our personal lives, destroying our families, and ultimately destroying our nations and freedoms. Pornography has become a stain that has eaten away at this, making sex outside of marriage seem more and more desirable, than that of following God's law of chastity (which is complete abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity to your spouse after, which marriage can only be between a man and a woman). But what do we see today? Many laugh and scoff at this law. There is almost nowhere to turn for refuge. We see it in magazines, books, movies, TV, the internet, even walking down the street. "Where can [we] turn for peace?" (Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints #129) The answer lies at home with the family.
Unfortunately, this is starting to degrade as well. Fewer and fewer homes are escaping the destructive pains of divorce. Many children are growing up without fathers, without mother, sometimes without both. There is a reason why they are supposed to be together. "...For this cause shall a man leave father and mother," and do what? "and cleave unto his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh" (Matt. 19:6). The Savior's words are clear: husbands "cleave" (or stay) with your wives. Love and support them. Be there for them and comfort them when they need it. And even when they don't! (Believe me, they love that. Don't know why, but they do). Wives, they same goes for you. Fathers and Mothers, raise your children in love and teach them correct principles so that they can govern themselves. If you do not teach them what is right, regardless if they fail to follow what they are taught, then you have failed. Now I know this sounds harsh, but our current situation calls for it. Teach them what is right. Teach them to be honest, teach them to be chaste and virtuous. Teach them to love. Remember that teaching your children correct principles is really the only thing you can do in raising your children. Remember to live the principles you teach as well.
After looking at some of the greatest civilizations in the world like Babylon, Greece, Rome, etc., you wonder how and why they fell, and they fell hard. There was a common link that is often overlooked that led to their demise: the disintegration of the family and promiscuity of it's people. Must we always repeat our mistakes? When will we learn? When our homes are nothing but ashes? I say, "No". Similar to what I said to the school board, I say to you: There is no reason to fall so long at the code is lived. And what is that code? The Gospel of Jesus Christ. But it cannot be enforced by any other way besides "gentleness, [kindness], and love unfeigned" (D&C 121:41). Will it be easy? No, but it will be worth it. And we will see our civilization last for another generation. |
| | Posted 3/3/2009 3:01 AM - 38 Views - 4 eProps - 6 comments
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