I read this yesterday and it touched me deeply. I had read it a few years previously and it moved me back then, too. But, this time, it meant even more as I'm at the stage of life where I'm truly recognizing the truthfulness of keeping or not keeping these types of values in our homes. As I see the ramifications of not heeding Prophetic counsel in all areas of our lives and -- because of meeting and mingling with some of the youth that my children deal with - I am even more aware of the reasons that the Lord has given us such counsel. I share it by way of personal testimony as well as in hopes that others' will be blessed by this powerful insight and .....prophetic warning.
"Environment"
"Two obligations face the saints where the matter of environment is concerned: 1. To create for themselves and their families the most wholesome and edifying environment possible, so there will be less chance of any member of the family circle being lost through transgression; and 2. To rise above every unwholesome environmental situation that may be encountered during the course of this mortal probation.
"When the spirit offspring of God pass from pre-existence to mortality, they bring with them the talents, capacities, and abilities acquired during a long existence and experience in their first estate. At the time of mortal birth all children are innocent and pure. Then as they begin to become accountable, they are swayed by the "tradition of their fathers." (D&C 93:38-39) Their lives and destinies are shaped and altered by their environment -- the circumstances, external surroundings, and influences in which they find themselves. The command to bring up children in light and truth includes a requirement to create for them a wholesome environment.
"One of the great purposes of this mortal probation is to test and try men, to see if they will keep the commandments and walk in the light no matter what environmental enticements beckon them away from the straight and narrow path. (1 John 2:15-17) The prayer, 'lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil' (Matt. 6:13), is a petition that we may be kept from such unwholesome environmental circumstances as to be overcome by them.
"It is axiomatic that the saints should establish peace and love in their families; engage in wholesome recreation only; perform their daily labors in the cleanest and most wholesome environment possible; associate with proper companions always; and seek to live under those surroundings and influences that breathe the spirit of righteousness and faith. Constant association with that which is low and vulgar inevitably leads to the debasement of the human soul." Mormon Doctrine, Environment
"Environment"
"When the spirit offspring of God pass from pre-existence to mortality, they bring with them the talents, capacities, and abilities acquired during a long existence and experience in their first estate. At the time of mortal birth all children are innocent and pure. Then as they begin to become accountable, they are swayed by the "tradition of their fathers." (D&C 93:38-39) Their lives and destinies are shaped and altered by their environment -- the circumstances, external surroundings, and influences in which they find themselves. The command to bring up children in light and truth includes a requirement to create for them a wholesome environment.
"One of the great purposes of this mortal probation is to test and try men, to see if they will keep the commandments and walk in the light no matter what environmental enticements beckon them away from the straight and narrow path. (1 John 2:15-17) The prayer, 'lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil' (Matt. 6:13), is a petition that we may be kept from such unwholesome environmental circumstances as to be overcome by them.
"It is axiomatic that the saints should establish peace and love in their families; engage in wholesome recreation only; perform their daily labors in the cleanest and most wholesome environment possible; associate with proper companions always; and seek to live under those surroundings and influences that breathe the spirit of righteousness and faith. Constant association with that which is low and vulgar inevitably leads to the debasement of the human soul." Mormon Doctrine, Environment
