Elder Richard G. Scott
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
As you continue to center your mind and heart in [the Lord], He will help you have a rich and full life no matter what happens in the world around you.
Excellent suggestions to combat the deteriorating world environment have
been given in this conference. As a prophet of God, President Gordon B. Hinckley
put world conditions and our opportunities into crystal clear perspective.
Two of his recent comments to priesthood and auxiliary leaders illustrate that
prophetic vision. First, regarding the challenge we face:
“The traditional family is under heavy attack. I do not know that things were
worse in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. . . . We see similar conditions
today. They prevail all across the world. I think our Father must weep as He
looks down upon His wayward sons and daughters.”1
Now concerning our extraordinary opportunities:
“Who in the earlier days could have dreamed of this season of opportunity
in which we live? . . . The Church is in wonderful condition. . . . It will
grow and strengthen. . . . It is our opportunity and our challenge to continue
in this great undertaking, the future of which we can scarcely imagine.”2
You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with concern for
the future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to live with peace
and happiness in a world awash with evil. If you choose to concentrate on the
dark side, this is what you will see. Much of the world is being engulfed in
a rising river of degenerate filth, with the abandonment of virtue, righteousness,
personal integrity, traditional marriage, and family life. Sodom and Gomorrah
was the epitome of unholy life in the Old Testament. It was isolated then;
now that condition is spread over the world. Satan skillfully manipulates the
power of all types of media and communication. His success has greatly increased
the extent and availability of such degrading and destructive influences worldwide.
In the past some effort was required to seek out such evil. Now it saturates
significant portions of virtually every corner of the world. We cannot dry
up the mounting river of evil influences, for they result from the exercise
of moral agency divinely granted by our Father. But we can and must, with clarity,
warn of the consequences of getting close to its enticing, destructive current.
Now the brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically
beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way
to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil
agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous
life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven:
His plan of happiness. It is contained in the scriptures and in the inspired
declarations of His prophets. He clothed your intelligence with spirit and
made it possible for you to enjoy the wonder of a physical body. When you use
that body in the way He has decreed, you will grow in strength and capacity,
avoid transgression, and be abundantly blessed.
When God, our Eternal Father, and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Smith
in that sublime vision in the Sacred Grove, They began to place on earth again
that plan of happiness and all required to sustain it. Part of that restoration
included additional sacred scriptures to complement the treasured record of
the Bible. These precious scriptures are contained in the Book of Mormon, the
Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Our Father knew of our
day. He prepared the scriptures and provided continuing divine guidance to
sustain us. That help will assure that you can live with peace and happiness
amid increasing evil.
Consider these verses:
"All things must come to pass in their time. [God knew the challenges
we would face when He gave this counsel.]
"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation
of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
"Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing
and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."3
That is a priceless promise. As you continue to center your mind and heart
in Him, He will help you have a rich and full life no matter what happens in
the world around you.
Paul wisely taught, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with
good."4
We should emulate Joshua: "Choose [ye] this day whom ye will serve; . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."5
Jesus taught: "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but
endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days."6 "He
who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last
day."7
Finally this pattern of success: "Come unto Christ, and be perfected
in him, . . . deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your
might, mind and strength, . . . that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ."8
I know that the plan of happiness can lift and bless those who live it anywhere.
On Christmas Eve 37 years ago, in the light of a full moon, I climbed a small
hill in the isolated village of Quiriza, Bolivia. Four young elders and I
had spent the day crossing over a mountain pass on a treacherous road. Then
we struggled up a riverbed to see if the teachings of the Savior would help
a destitute people. What we saw that day was discouraging—undernourished children,
adults subsisting on meager crops, some with eyes glazed from seeking refuge
with alcohol and drugs. I looked at the tiny, barren village below: a cluster
of adobe thatched-roof houses beaten by the harsh environment. The only evidence
of life was barking dogs searching for food. There was no electricity, telephone,
running water, roads, proper sanitation, nor doctors there. It seemed so hopeless.
Yet a solemn prayer confirmed that we should be there. We found a humble people
who embraced the restored gospel with determination to live it. They did that
under harsh conditions where severe poverty, alcohol, drugs, witchcraft, and
immorality were in plentiful supply.
Under the guidance of exceptional missionaries, the people learned to work
hard to cultivate the fields. They produced a harvest of nutritious vegetables
and raised rabbits for better protein. But the best lessons came from beloved
missionaries who taught them of a God who loved them, of a Savior who gave
His life that they might succeed. Their physical appearance began to change.
The light of truth radiated from their happy faces. As devoted, loving emissaries
of the Lord, missionaries patiently taught truth to a willing people. Wives
and husbands learned how to live in harmony, teach truth to their children,
pray, and sense guidance of the Spirit.
I watched a six-year-old boy who had carefully observed our first baptismal
service act out with his younger sister what he had seen. He carefully arranged
her hands, raised his tiny arm to the square, mumbled words, gently lowered
her into a depression in the sun-baked earth, led her to a rock where he confirmed
her, then shook her hand. The youth learned most quickly. They became obedient
to the light of truth taught by the missionaries and in time by their own parents.
Through their faith and obedience, I have seen how in one generation youth
baptized in that village have overcome a seemingly hopeless future. Some have
been missionaries, graduated from universities, and been sealed in the temple.
Through their diligence and obedience, they have found purpose and success
in life despite an early harsh physical and evil-saturated environment. If
it can be done in Quiriza, Bolivia, it can be done anywhere.
Have you noticed how Satan works to capture the mind and emotions with flashing
images, blaring music, and the stimulation of every physical sense to excess?
He diligently strives to fill life with action, entertainment, and stimulation
so that one cannot ponder the consequences of his tempting invitations. Think
of it. Some are tempted to violate the most basic commandments of God because
of seductive actions portrayed as acceptable. They are made to seem attractive,
even desirable. There seems to be no serious consequence, rather apparent lasting
joy and happiness. But recognize that those performances are controlled by
scripts and actors. The outcome of decisions made is likewise manipulated to
be whatever the producer wants.
Life is not that way. Yes, moral agency allows you to choose what you will,
but you cannot control the outcome of those choices. Unlike the false creations
of man, our Father in Heaven determines the consequences of your choices. Obedience
will yield happiness, while violation of His commandments will not.
Consider the lives of those who create what for some are captivating images
of life. They generally turn to the most vicious of the destructive influences
they depict so appealingly in the media. They may be wealthy, but they are
miserable and without conscience. Truly the statement of Alma, an inspired
prophet and compassionate father, is borne out in their lives: "wickedness
never was happiness."9
If you are ever tempted to experiment with the alluring offerings of Lucifer,
first calmly analyze the inevitable consequences of such choices, and your
life will not be shattered. You cannot ever sample those things that are forbidden
of God as destructive of happiness and corrosive to spiritual guidance without
tragic results.
If you have become entangled in sin from poor choices, please decide to come
back now. You know how to begin. Do it now. We love you. We need you. God will
help you.
As a young man or woman, though life may seem difficult now, hold on to that
iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles
are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your
Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments.
You are so important. You are so needed. There are so few willing to make the
sacrifice you are making to live righteously. You can develop the sensitivity,
love, and kindness to gain supreme happiness within the covenant of an eternal
marriage. You will bless your children with insight the world can never give
them. Your example will set the course for their successful life as the world
becomes even more difficult. You are needed to strengthen the growing kingdom
of the Lord and to be role models for so many who lack the light of truth you
have.
Avoid worldly wickedness. Know that God is in control. In time, Satan will
completely fail and be punished for his perverse evil. God has a specific plan
for your life. He will reveal parts of that plan to you as you look for it
with faith and consistent obedience. His Son has made you free—not from the
consequences of your acts, but free to make choices. God's eternal purpose
is for you to be successful in this mortal life. No matter how wicked the world
becomes, you can earn that blessing. Seek and be attentive to the personal
guidance given to you through the Holy Spirit. Continue to be worthy to receive
it. Reach out to others who stumble and are perplexed, not certain of what
path to follow.
Your security is in God your Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. As
one of His Apostles authorized to bear witness of Him, I solemnly testify that
I know that the Savior lives, that He is a resurrected, glorified personage
of perfect love. He is your hope, your Mediator, your Redeemer. Through obedience,
let Him guide you to peace and happiness amid increased evil in the world,
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
NOTES
1. "Standing Strong and Immovable," Worldwide Leadership Training
Meeting, 10 Jan. 2004, 20.
2. "The
State of the Church," Liahona and Ensign, Nov.
2003, 4, 7.
3. D&C 64:32–34.
4. Romans 12:21.
5. Joshua 24:15.
6. D&C 24:8.
7. D&C 75:16.
8. Moroni 10:32.
9. Alma 41:10.
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