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I’m finding I increasingly get irked by the Mormon phrase “the world…” It’s always in an over-simplified “us mormons” (0.1% of the population) and “the world” (99.9% of the population).
It’s a strange and frustrating shorthand. For example: “The world promotes many diverse paths to happiness. But modern prophets assert that the greatest possibilities for happiness exist in celestial marriage.”
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/09/still-a-clarion-call?lang=eng “The world” produces amazing literature, art and thought provoking spiritually uplifting philosophy.
Article of Faith 13 says:
“…If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”In revelation through Joseph Smith, we’re taught to: “…study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (D&C 90:15) and to seek “out of the best books words of wisdom.”(D&C 88:118) President Uchtdorf referenced this principle and scripture when he said:
“So we continually seek truth from all good books and other wholesome sources. “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” In this manner we can resist the deceit of the evil one. In this manner we learn the truth “precept upon precept; line upon line.” And we will learn that intelligence cleaves unto intelligence, and wisdom receives wisdom, and truth embraces truth.”What Is Truth? CES Devotional, Jan 2013
The gift of already having so many positive truths in our lives should spur us on to opening our spirits further; increasing the size of our spiritual minds to receive more knowledge and truth; adding to that which we already have to make the good news contained in our mental ‘glasses’ more full. Embracing and discovering the fullness of the gospel does not end at the Sunday-school exit door; neither does it on the last page of the LDS cannon.
“We have been blessed with much knowledge by revelation from God which, in some part, the world lacks. But there is an incomprehensibly greater part of truth which we must yet discover. Our revealed truth should leave us stricken with the knowledge of how little we really know. It should never lead to an emotional arrogance based upon a false assumption that we somehow have all the answers–that we in fact have a corner on truth, for we do not.”Hugh B. Brown, (An Eternal Quest – Freedom of the Mind May 13, 1969)
“The world” is indeed our oyster. It’s where we create our pearls.
Great point. Thanks for spurring us to think in that way. The “world” is not by any means all evil and I agree there is much good, virtuous, and praiseworthy and many of the best books are not produced by Mormons. Granted “The World” is used a lot in Mormon culture, but it is also used a lot in Christian culture. I have heard it quite a bit on Christian Radio stations, so I think the issue is not just with Mormon’s but with Religion. I don’t know about Muslims, Buddhism, and Islam, but I’m sure they have something similar. I do know that Judaism does have something very similar in comparing the “church” or gospel to the world. In short, I’m just saying that this is not solely a Mormonism issue, but rather across all Christian and most likely all religions.
I too find it irritating when people say “the world”: the world’s definition, the world’s standards, the world is in a fallen state of moral decay . . . etc etc etc. I particularly hate ‘the world’s definition’ because it almost always is the ACTUAL definition, and the one being put forward as the ‘Lord’s definition’ is made up to suit the speaker. hawkgrrrl wrote:… the one being put forward as the ‘Lord’s definition’ is made up to suit the speaker.
Interesting and very true. I think I’m going to challenge the speaker (not the OP, but others) when they say “the world” on what their definition of “the world” is and their definition of “not the world”. Could be some interesting view points come of this.I think we work so hard to not be of the world that we forget to be fully in the world – which is where the Gospel is found, at the purest sense. Jesus certainly lived fully in the world, and our rhetoric too often discourages that sort of involvement. mackay11 wrote:I’m finding I increasingly get irked by the Mormon phrase “the world…”…It’s always in an over-simplified “us mormons” (0.1% of the population) and “the world” (99.9% of the population)….It’s a strange and frustrating shorthand. For example: “The world promotes many diverse paths to happiness. But modern prophets assert that the greatest possibilities for happiness exist in celestial marriage.”
It bothers me too and it is definitely a recurring theme that keeps coming up in the Church and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again multiple times in the next General Conference. The implied meaning of this term is that the world is supposedly bad and/or wrong and therefore something we shouldn’t want any part of (
http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4088 DevilsAdvocate wrote:So now the Church has encouraged a mindset of us-versus-them where we are right and they are supposedly wrong. I think it is largely an unintended by product of tribal instincts but the Church has taken it to extremes to the point that it really sounds cult-like, paranoid, near-sighted, and arrogant …
To be fair it was MUCH worse in the 1800’s, at least today we can mingle with our non-member friends without lifting the eyebrows of our LDS neighbors! At least today we hear messages in church that include “be a true friend to non-members, don’t let your friendship rest on their accepting your invitations.”
It’s not all in one direction. Next time there’s a ‘big bad world’ comment in sunday school I might quote Elder Ballard:
Quote:“We must understand however that not everyone is going to accept our doctrine of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the most part, our neighbors not of our faith are good, honorable people-every bit as good and honorable as we strive to be. They care about their families, just like we do. They want to make the world a better place, just like we do. They are kind and loving and generous and faithful, just like we seek to be.”
Elder M. Russell Ballardhttp://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/doctrine-of-inclusion?lang=eng Yes, we have to say something (in the right way) whenever the most egregious comments are made – and that quote from Elder Ballard is great. These views grew out of natural egoism, persecution, isolation and millennial rhetoric, and they won’t die easily – especially if gentle, thoughtful challenges are never heard. It’s not easy, and there are plenty of times when individuals aren’t in a position to do so, but it still is important to contribute whenever possible to a more balanced discussion.
mackay11 wrote:Next time there’s a ‘big bad world’ comment in sunday school I might quote Elder Ballard:
“We must understand however that not everyone is going to accept our doctrine of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the most part, our neighbors not of our faith are good, honorable people-every bit as good and honorable as we strive to be. They care about their families, just like we do. They want to make the world a better place, just like we do. They are kind and loving and generous and faithful, just like we seek to be.”
Elder M. Russell Ballard
I wish I’d had this with me a week or two ago in RS. We were discussing obedience to the ten commandments and the teacher made the whole thing about our “war” with the rest of the world (who she claims are all being deceived by and working for satan). I was pleased, however, when one woman raised her hand and made the comment that even though things like casual sex(we were talking about adultery) are in the media a lot, the majority of the population sees cheating on your spouse or partner as a bad thing and that most people do have morals and are good people.
I had friends over recently. We have some photos of Buddhist statues. My friend saw them and said “what are these?” “Photos of Buddha.” “Why do you have graven images in your home?” “I found a lot of respect for Buddhism while living in Asia. I don’t worship Buddha, so it’s not a graven image. Besides, I think Buddha is another face of God. A manifestation of God’s love to a different group of his children. I certainly don’t think Buddhism is of the devil.” His chin nearly hit the floor. Another great example, mackay11. Good for you. mackay11 wrote:I had friends over recently. We have some photos of Buddhist statues. My friend saw them and said “what are these?” “Photos of Buddha.” “Why do you have graven images in your home?” “I found a lot of respect for Buddhism while living in Asia. I don’t worship Buddha, so it’s not a graven image. Besides, I think Buddha is another face of God. A manifestation of God’s love to a different group of his children. I certainly don’t think Buddhism is of the devil.” His chin nearly hit the floor.
Good example. I’ve got to say that I’ve never quite figured out how a picture of Buddha might be a graven image while a picture of Jesus isn’t.
People don’t think through lots of things, including each one of us, to some degree. It’s easier that way.
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