Looking around.....

[Stampede]

And i am seeing the degredation of society and it's moral fabric. It saddens me.

I see the new movies that are coming out. and people i used to admire i now cannot stand to listen to. Everything in this world is backsliding and it tries to bring everything else down with it. and if you don't go with them and stay afloat above the chaos and dissention you are mocked for it.

Lehi's Vision is truely a reality now. I work in a 40 story building in downtown Seattle and i pass by the same Hair stylist every day. He always has 3 or 4 women working there that are all dolled up in fancy clothes and a haircut there is 80 dollars. Every single woman downtown has a Dog in her purse and wears sunglasses the size of grapefruits, with a dress that could be mistaken for a pillowcase. I see Lehi's Vision every day.... and it really saddens me.

Good people blinded by the craftiness of men, they are selfish and don't listen. I feel so bad for them. It scares me to think of what my daughter will be subjected to as she grows up.

The world is truely a horrible place that constantly tempts you to just do this or that a little because there truely is no harm in it. what a load of crap.

anyways, thats the end of my rant, It just hit me hard today seeing everything going on around us. Everythign is so easily corrupted and it's next to impossible to always be steadfast and immovable when it comes to our values and morals. We are truely headed for terrible times.

[goofball]

Good post. I have gone on with a few ramblings myself about this topic. I believe that it is apathy that is more pervasive now than ever before. People no longer will stand up for what they believe in because it is easier to go with the flow. It is a great tool that Satan has used. As long as you are not doing anything bad than you are okay right?

WRONG!!!! To much is going on around us and too many don't do anything. I am guilty of it myself. Bit by bit though in my quest to be a better person I try to focus more on doing good things rather than just not doing anything bad

[RachelleDrew]

What do big sunglasses and a purse that doubles as a kennel have to do with the sins of the world?

[Traveler]

If you look hard enough - because it takes much more effort - you can also find much good and wonderful things in the world.

The Traveler

[Kirajo]

What do big sunglasses and a purse that doubles as a kennel have to do with the sins of the world?

Agreed. The dress the size of a pillowcase isn't what I'd call the best idea in the world but sunglasses and a puppy purse and 80 dollar haircuts?? Find some new people to judge.

On the other hand I know what you're saying about Leh's vision. Such as the destruction of cities, the verge of an economy crash, the evils of the world being seen as acceptable (gay marriage, pornography, children being exposed to sex, drugs and violence at an earlier age every year).

We've got a tough road ahead.

[Stampede]

What do big sunglasses and a purse that doubles as a kennel have to do with the sins of the world?

Vanity. plain and simple. every other woman is trying to look like paris hilton. (which is the WORST role model in the freaking world.

everyone tries to fit in with society and copy what everyoen else does. (monkey see; monkey do) Instead of simply being themselves.

a Dress that is the size and sheerness of a pillowcase is not modest one bit.

And sunglesses? what is the point of buying 200 dollar sunglasses that make your face look like an owl with no pupils?

[DigitalShadow]

You personally believe people were commanded by God to be modest. They most likely do not. Does that make them immoral simply because they don't share your exact view of morality? Have you considered that maybe they are being themselves which doesn't include your view of the importance of modesty? You want people to be themselves, but you also want them all to conform to your views, am I the only one that sees a paradox in this?

[Bethie]

If you are going to judge another, maybe just follow Jesus' example and look

at their heart, not their outer appearance. Some people who dress or act

"wildly" are simply crying out for Love. Jesus' #1 commandment to us, "Love one another."

[TEANCUM89]

What do big sunglasses and a purse that doubles as a kennel have to do with the sins of the world?

I don't think he is judging them. I think he is trying to say that it is very easy for all of us to become worldly;) Trying to stay clean in a filthy world is a life long task. "Costly apparrel" was one of the signs of the downfall of the Nephite nation. When we are more worried with our appearance, size of our home or the style of our car. Then with how we treat our brothers & sisters, then have a huge problem. Living in Northern Utah county can be a real eye opener. Huge homes, swiming pools, Hummers in the driveway. We are way off course, the bretheren have asked us to have a modest home, to live within our means etc. I'm not saying that we should not have nice things. We need not be so flamboyant with our prosperity. I'm as guilty as anyone. Even as LDS people we all seem to fall into the trap of worshipping things made by men. We need to change, and follow more closely the council of our prophets. By the way everyday we have to make judgements. That is why it is so important to have the spirit with you so you can make the correct choice "AKA" judgement.

[Stampede]

Exactly. I see costly apparel and things of the world just as Lehi saw them in his Vision.

We are to be in the world and not of the world. I see alot of LDS members fall into the same vain and pride filled trap that the Nephites fell into. because of thier prosperity they became worldly people.

for instance, in a town i grew up in of 30,000 people, the ward clerk was the town dentist. They lived in a very large and glamorous home bcause the Husband's profession was great and afforded them nice things.

his Daughter became spoiled and worldy, So much that she took some of her college money and bought breast implants. she was 18.

I look around the world and people say "there's nothign wrong with having nice things" and sure, there is nothing wrong inherently with them, but when you start to feel as if you are worth more to the world than other people then it has overcome you and you need to rethink your position.

Propserity does that to people. It corrupts them because of pride.

Does the prophet wear Gucci shoes and prada sunglasses? No! Does he own a facny house? No! Who was Jesus Christ? a carpenter, not a socialite. you wouldn't know who he if you saw him on the street unless you were in tune with the spirit.

[FunkyTown]

But the moment you look down upon someone just because they have nice things, you become guilty yourself, Stampede. You're right... Jesus Christ was a carpenter. But remember that gold, frankincense and myrrh were left at his cradle.

I believe that man was meant to be wrapped in gold and found itself draped in golden chains. It's clear something has gone wrong, but... It sounds like you're upset when you see someone who's wealthy. That's not a bad thing. Even the pursuit of wealth isn't a bad thing - Setting goals is important. Paul said "The love of money is the root of all evil" not "Money is the root of all evil".

[Bookmeister]

I kinda interpreted sunglasses and designer dogs as more of a symptom of a society which has lost a sizeable portion of it's moral base. I think Stampede views these things in the context of a conspicuous consumption of things, done by many people so that they can be seen to be "successful" and "hip".

But there's a larger point which is made, and that point is that so much of what so many people do is focused on the externals. Do we have the right car, parked in front of the right home, furnished with the right stuff, as the result of the right job, making the right amount of money? Anything else seems to be viewed by society as a whole as some sort of failure on the part of a person who doesn't have these things. It seems as if the person who consumes only what they need, without trying to gain so much more than is necessary, is someone who is in some way more of a burden on society.

The external symbols seem to be viewed as the most important. That is, a person is what they own and have, rather than who they are and what they do.

Or maybe I just say all of that because I really don't have much, and don't make a lot of money...:)

[TEANCUM89]

I believe that man was meant to be wrapped in gold and found itself draped in golden chains. It's clear something has gone wrong, but... It sounds like you're upset when you see someone who's wealthy. That's not a bad thing. Even the pursuit of wealth isn't a bad thing - Setting goals is important. Paul said "The love of money is the root of all evil" not "Money is the root of all evil".

Something about the eye of a needle springs to mind. Unfortunatley there are very few people who are not corrupted by $$. There are some both LDS and non-LDS who are not and do much good with the things they are blessed with..

I for one have been blessed with almost everything in life I could ask for. But I know that if I suddenly had much much more I would struggle. The correct goals in life are awesome. But if the pursuit of money is your goal you are on a slippery slope. The pursuit of being a follower of Christ should be your first goal. Once you get that, then he will bless you with all things. Money could be one of them, if so you must use it for good not for extravagent man made toys to show to all your friends. Isaiah speaks directly to us about what happens when we worship of the things of man. Not many people wanted to hear it during his days as the prophet. Unfortunatly we all seem to continue to have closed ears. May we use what we have been blessed with to help bless the lives of others.

[Stampede]

But the moment you look down upon someone just because they have nice things, you become guilty yourself, Stampede. You're right... Jesus Christ was a carpenter. But remember that gold, frankincense and myrrh were left at his cradle.

I believe that man was meant to be wrapped in gold and found itself draped in golden chains. It's clear something has gone wrong, but... It sounds like you're upset when you see someone who's wealthy. That's not a bad thing. Even the pursuit of wealth isn't a bad thing - Setting goals is important. Paul said "The love of money is the root of all evil" not "Money is the root of all evil".

You can be wealthy but you don't in any way need to flaunt it. There should be no reason why i should be able to look at someone and tell if they are rich or not.

I;m not angry that people are rich or anything, seriously. I couldn't care less, it just bugs me whent hey start lookign down on other people because of thier weath and hautiness.