Monday, October 27, 2008

PUTTING OFF BABYLON - BEING IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT

Being a father of four (five) children who have to be in this world - but not immersed in it's sin-laden nature, I like this quote by Brigham Young (quoted from Mosiah Hancock's diary:

In the summer of 1862, President Brigham Young came through Dixie. The people were so glad to see him that they took every means in their power to make everything as comfortable for him as possible. I remember too, when he stopped at Harrisberg at the time Dr. Pridy Meeks, my brother-in-law, and I, with our families were living in willow rooms that joined. The President stopped with us. He sat at the head of the table and had me sit down at his right. The President, when everything was ready, asked a blessing, then all began to eat. He asked for some buttermilk; then crumbed some bread in it and began to eat. He conversed freely on the situation of the Saints in the mountains, and said that he dreaded the time when the Saints would become popular with the world; for he had seen in sorrow, in a dream, or in dreams, this people clothed in the fashions of Babylon and drinking in the spirit of Babylon until one could hardly tell a Saint from a black-leg. And he felt like shouting, "To your tents, Oh Israel!" because it was the only thing that could keep the people pure. "I know that my families court the ways of the world too much," said he, "And our hope lies in the Lamanites. I hope that you brethren who labor among the Indians will be kind to them. Remember that someday they will take their position as the rightful heir to the principles of life and salvation, for they never will give up the principles of this Gospel. Many of this people for the sake of riches and popularity, will sell themselves for that which will canker their souls and lead them down to misery and despair. It would be better for them to dwell in wigwams among the Indians than to dwell with the gentiles and miss the glories which God wishes them to obtain. I wish my families would see the point and come forth before it is too late. For oh, I can see a tendency in my families to hug the moth-eaten customs of Babylon to their bosoms. This is far more hurtful to them than the deadly viper; for the poisons of the viper can be healed by the power of God, but the customs of Babylon will be hard to get rid of."

1 comment:

  1. I must say, I love your blog. I discovered it this morning and have been on it every moment of my day, soaking in your research and interesting articles. You remind me so much of my dad...but never blogged and died before we could soak up all he knew. Thank you for sharing.
    In relation to this article, he also agreed with you about Isaiah's clear and unfulfilled prophecy. As a woman, and a wife, and especially as a mother, I have moments where I almost look forward to that time. I have read journals of ancestors of mine who lived the law of polygamy righteously, and I know what a blessing it can be. I think that if I were called upon to do so, I could live it.

    Anyway, I want to thank you for this blog, and for the time you put into seeking and sharing truth. If my dad were alive, I can imagine you and him enjoying hours of conversation...you seem to have the same favorite topics. For now, I will just enjoy hours of reading your blog.

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