Come To Zion
Leave Babylon Behind
My daughter recently had an experience that I have alluded to in a previous post. She had taken here children to the public library near her home and while looking for some books noted that a man was sitting at a computer and viewing pornography. Her story can be found here. Then just a couple of weeks ago she, her husband and a friend were sitting in a Bakery and she looked over at a young man that she thought was perhaps 18-19 years old. His computer was in full view and there again she saw that he was looking at pornography.
Just in the last few days while doing Internet searches; I found something very disturbing to me. I had started a new blog for my grandchildren and thought that perhaps I could find some clip art to add to my first post. I put in the search the words; pictures of grandpa and grandma. Many sites came up but the disturbing one was an ad for a Grandpa and Grandma having sex video. Plus various other suggestive sites. I was sickened by this. Yesterday, I was looking for an old time saying that I couldn't remember the last part of it. I put what I knew in the search. There were a number of sites with old sayings; but on the search page was a topic that again made me angry. It said for those who are having their first lesbian experience. Just think how easy your children can innocently find sites like these.
Babylon is the world; it is the kingdom of Satan. Only by coming to Zion can we bind Satan from our lives. I read an article this week by Mary Ellen Edmunds entitled: "Letting go of the World: It is Time to "Sell the Summer Cottage in Babylon". Her address was given at a LDS Women's Conference in 2009.
My question is how long do you stay in your summer cottage in Babylon. What kind of media do we watch, what kind of movies do we attend, what kind of books and magazines do we read, what kind of events do we go to, how do we dress and act???? Perhaps, it is time to clean and sell our cottage in Babylon and prepare to meet Zion. Sister Edmunds said the following: If we're not building Zion-God's Kingdom -we're supporting Babylon!
Pres. Brigham Young one of the prophets in the early days of the restoration said: "All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter this church. the covenant to cease sustaining, upholding and cherishing the kingdom of the devil and the kingdoms of this world. They enter the new and every lasting covenant to sustain the Kingdom of God and no other kingdom. They take a vow of the most solemn kind, before the heavens and earth...that they will sustain truth and righteousness instead of wickedness and falsehood, and build up the Kingdom of God, instead of the kingdoms of this world."
I have been noting the dress code that even the daughters and mothers of Zion are wearing. They are many who wear inappropriate styles. The low necklines, tight shirts and short skirts and casual footwear have invaded our churches.
Our young woman have clearly been taught to dress modestly. Mother's of Zion where are you in this teaching process? Are you an example of modesty in dress and attitude?
This morning I turned to the New Testament and the page fell opened on 1 Tim. 2:9-10;
9. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10. But (which becometh women professing godliness with good works)."
The Strength of Youth Pamphlet states the following on modesty and appearance: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1 Corinthians 3:16–17
Other Standards
"Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.
Agency and Accountability
Dating
Dress and Appearance
Education
Entertainment and Media
Family
Friends
Gratitude
Honesty and Integrity
Language
Music and Dancing
Physical and Emotional Health
Repentance
Sabbath Day Observance
Service
Sexual Purity
Tithes and Offerings
Work and Self-Reliance
Go Forward with FaithProphets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act.
Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval.
Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any other manner. Young women should avoid short shorts and short skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. Young men and young women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior. They should choose appropriately modest apparel when participating in sports. The fashions of the world will change, but the Lord’s standards will not change."
Elder Neil Maxwell reminded us that; "The tugs and pulls of the world are powerful. Worldly lifestyles are cleverly reinforced by the rationalization, 'Everybody is doing it... Has Zion sometimes become a tiny three-hour island on Sunday, surrounded by the rest of the week in Babylon?..... God's plan is not the plan of pleasure; it is the 'plan of happiness."
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley stated the following: "We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. all of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil."
Sister Mary Ellen Edmonds closed her address with the following thoughts: " Let's examine our hearts, our habits, our choices. What is it we love most? What would we give up in order to come closer to God, to know Him? Take time for personal spiritual refreshment and renewal, Will it be Zion, or Will it be Babylon? Think of the implications of our exercise of agency as we are daily pulled between Zion and Babylon, and choose Zion!
The Lord calls us to come to Zion:
16 comments:
Modesty is such an important but misunderstood topic! How lovely that you can teach your daughters and they can share with theirs . . . As it should be. Thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper, LeAnn. Blessings!
I agree that the gap between babylon and zion is ever widening. Zion has been so on my mind this year, I recommend the book "The Triumph of Zion" if you have time to read it - it really is our calling in the latter days to establish Zion, we've got to flood our lives with the gospel to do it, we've got to be on par with Enoch's Zion, what an amazing opportunity is ours!
I'm dismayed that kids can access these things on a library computer. I had my two adult sons at the library once. They are both autistic. Dan soaks up everything around him and is much more "savvy" about things than James, who remains very childlike. Dan was at one of the computers and had just typed in "sexy prom dresses" (?!) when I went to check on him. A little girl was sitting at the computer next to his. I grabbed his hand just before he hit enter. I have no idea what would have come up. How on earth did he even know about such a search term?!
Your daughters are truly blessed to have you for their mother.
It's so much fun to see granddaughters choose wisely. I do love taking them shopping. I truely believe that they are a righteous generation!
What a great post! Our Stake President recently counseled us on these very subjects of pornography and modesty in our dress. We have to be, no we must be careful. The world is such a different place than what I grew up in. I worry about my grandchildren and just hope and pray they will be wise in all things and that as parents and grandparents we can teach and show by example the way to dress, act, and live. The internet can be a wonderful tool, but we surely do have to be careful especially when doing searches. Thanks for a great post. Nola
It's disturbing to think what our kids can come across with an innocent search on a computer.
I'm not sure what can be done about it, either, other than to monitor their use of computers carefully and keep them out of the bedroom. But what about their smart phones??
It's a hard one. Maybe the best we can do is to arm them with the truths they need to know so they will have the strength to turn their backs on things that might negatively impact their virtue.
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I couldn't agree more heartily with everything you have said here.
When my daughters want to dress immodestly I remind them of some of these recent conference talks.
I believe 100% that modesty is a protection. We are not asked to dress modestly to appear better. I think we are asked to dress modestly to keep us safe from evil men and to keep the young men safe from unwanted thoughts.
A friend of mine went to a YW fireside where the stake president said that when you dress immodestly you are attracting the attention of the teenage boys, the 25 year old boys, the 40 years old boys, and the 65 year old boys. She said by the time he got to the 65 year old boys the girls were all slouched down in their seats.I think they were taught a powerful lesson.
Another beautiful post LeAnn. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep our standards in today's world, but it is not impossible. We must endeavor to do all that we can. I Have been invited to a dinner dance in late September, an awards dinner actually, and the dress is black tie. I have had a very difficult time finding something to wear that is appropriate for both the occasion and in keeping with my dress standards. I finally did find one, but have also had to buy a cover up to wear as well. I would think that if one was to begin a business that promotes modest clothing they would do well over here, as they are almost non-existant. Thanks for all that you share with us. I always enjoy my visits with you and come away having been fed spiritually. Love and hugs. xxoo
we all need to send the right message to all the young woman in our lives!!
so they can be strong and independent, and know that inner beauty is most important!!
Hi, Leann,
Thank you for addressing these topics. Modesty is a gift to us, and I hope other men and women can see it that way, too. As a Mom with 3 sons now, I really appreciate when girls plan a modest wardrobe, even down their choice of swimwear!
I also appreciate you sharing the talk given about Zion and Babylon. I love Sister Edmunds unique style of tackling topics, too, and look forward to reading it.
Blessing to you,
Eve
Hi LeAnn!
I love this post! I does make me sick when I think how easy it is for children to access filth on-line!
Modesty seems to have flown out the window for some mothers and daughters. I know it's hard to find modest clothing, but it is possible! I wish every young woman could read this post - it's just perfect!
It was so fun to see you last week - I always love it when we have time to visit and re-connect! Thank you so much for your friendship and love, you really are just like a sister to me! I didn't even got to give you hug goodby though!! Until next time!!
(((hugs)))
Barb
What a good post. It is sad that it is so true. We are in the midst of Babylon. thank goodness we have the protective umbrella of the church to shield us from the fall out. However, with evil available at the touch of a key stroke, it is such a worry for our young ones.
Thank you for your insight. Hugs, Lura
I loved this post. This weekend my family took a trip to SLC and we were at the Gateway mall and I cant even remember how many different times we mentioned Babylon. The world is so scary.
Great post. I had the same experience your daughter had last week at our public library. This guy was just looking at his facebook page and I looked over and saw all sorts of naughty picture he was looking at. I got all sick, and even moved my kids quickly to a different section. Then when I knew they were safe I went and told the librarian. She told me she would keep an eye on him. I think the guy was mentally handicapped, but still no excuse. I am just glad my kids didn't see it. We have a good internet protection and have taught our kids a lot about what not to do on the computer.
I love your quotes, but could you please list the reference for a quote?
For example, I have spent more than an hour trying to determine if Elder Maxwell said: "Has Zion sometimes become a tiny three-hour island on Sunday, surrounded by the rest of the week in Babylon?"
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