BKP: Time of Spiritual War

[_zeezrom]

I enjoyed Boyd K Packer's article in the Ensign (http://www.LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?h ... 82620aRCRD) where he talked about the evil that exists in these latter days. Here is an excerpt from his talk:

"You too live in a time of war, the spiritual war that will never end. War itself now dominates the affairs of mankind. Your world at war has lost its innocence. There is nothing, however crude or unworthy, that is not deemed acceptable for movies or plays or music or conversation. The world seems to be turned upside down.

Formality, dignity, nobility, and respect for authority are mocked. Modesty and neatness yield to slouchiness and shabbiness in dress and grooming. The rules of honesty and integrity and basic morality are now ignored. Conversation is laced with profanity. You see that in art and literature, in drama and entertainment. Instead of being refined, they have become coarse.

You have decisions almost every day as to whether you will follow those trends. You have many tests ahead."

I find it interesting that BKP exaggerates the truth about society today. There is nothing however crude that is not deemed acceptable for movies or music? Really? The world seems to be turned upside down? Sure, there are problems but there are some great things happening as well. I don't think I would go so far to say it is turned upside down. Respect for authority is mocked? Sure, by some people. Hasn't authority always been mocked by someone, somewhere? I still see a lot of people respecting authority and people that have dignity.

Here is the worst exaggeration of all: "The rules of honesty and integrity and basic morality are now ignored." What?! Sure, by some people but I can tell you that if I ignore these at work I will be fired and same with my co-workers. It is anything but ignored by many, many people - including non-mormons. Amazing!

And honestly, I don't find myself making a decision to follow trends of ignoring basic morality on a daily basis.

So my question is this: What is the use of saying society world-wide is degenerating as opposed to the more positive view of saying things are actually improving?

[_sock puppet]

It is weird. Never have the peoples of the world been so under the thumb of authority as now. There is no new frontier to go, where one can be an individual, prospering or dying by his or her own wits.

BKP is an ultimate authoritarian, and he's bitching about the state the world is in. Go figure?

[_The Mighty Builder]

Well, why doesn't he stand for something and have Tommy stop the infighting in Mormonism and BOLDLY state the Lands of the Book of Mormon are "X". The battle is over on that account.

[_Ray A]

On these particular points, I agree with Mr. Packer, but I'd put it in more blunt terms, the world is pretty screwed up.

[_DarkHelmet]

Other people who mocked authority:

Joseph Smith
Jesus Christ
The Founding Fathers

[_zeezrom]

the world is pretty f****d up.

Relative to what? More so than 50 years ago? Do you believe we are worse off as BKP does?

[_sock puppet]

the world is pretty f****d up.

Relative to what? More so than 50 years ago? Do you believe we are worse off as BKP does?

It's the Chicken Little syndrome.

[_Ray A]

Relative to what? More so than 50 years ago? Do you believe we are worse off as BKP does?

I think we've made marvellous advances in science, almost unbelievable advances. That's the good news.

The bad news is, yes, we are worse off than we were 50 years ago. It is true that every age thinks it's the worst, and Paul's day was no different:

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God…. (2nd Timothy 1-4)

These are only my personal observations from some 56 years on the planet. I talk to a lot of people, and every single adult over 40 I've met agrees that loss of respect for authority (I'm speaking of parents and the law here) is one of the main reasons for the clear decline of society. What you read in statistical journals/studies about crime rates, etc., is only the tip of the iceberg. For example, most crime and antisocial behaviour today goes unreported to police (or not acted upon because of "bureaucratic humbug"), and the citizens who ignore "official reports" know better what is going on in their own lives, and around them in society, than what they are told by "statisticians". There's a general feeling of gloom about the way society in general is heading, and no one seems to know what to do to reverse it.

[_Ray A]

It's the Chicken Little syndrome.

The Chicken Little Syndrome is based on an idea that is false, like This One. Stirring up hysteria, dicrimination and hatred based on false notions.

[_Ray A]

Relative to what? More so than 50 years ago? Do you believe we are worse off as BKP does?

Not just "as BKP does", but numerous people who wouldn't know what a Mormon is from a bar of soap. Some 200 million people died in wars in the 20th century (admittedly it's relative). If that is progress, then I'm a Congo-grown banana. The start of the 21st century isn't looking much more promising. But war is only a symptom of underlying problems, not the least of which is religious fanaticism. Apart from that, we have some specific problems to deal with "at home", if you like, and I don't believe "Happiness is Family Home Evening" stickers on bumper bars, or going to other authoritarian extremes (religious or political) will solve the unique problems that face us for the future.