Advocate

A couple of my first posts have been about our buying power.  But I'm going to take it even further.

Yes, it starts with us.  We have to learn how precious we are and how hurtful it is to ourselves and others when we allow ourselves to be objectified.  We then can make good choices and not let ourselves fall to our carnal appetites.  The next step is our choosing to NOT let the world influence us.  Then, I believe the next level would be to refrain from viewing, listening, participating in anything that doesn't coincide with our beliefs.  Wouldn't then the natural progression be to take it even further, to standing up for our conviction?

I'm reminded of a great address that was given by one of the leaders of my church, Dallin H. Oaks.  He says, "As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best...Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, “Seek ye out of the best‍ books words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118; emphasis added)."

If we are striving to preserve virtue, it is GOOD to be virtuous ourselves, it is even BETTER if we forgo the filth and seek out virtuous things, but it would be even better (BEST) if we started being advocates for virtue.  We have opportunities to be heard.  When something is vile and disgusting, offensive and tasteless we can write letters to companies.  We can sign petitions.  We can create petitions.  We can write letters to establishments telling them we are no longer frequenting their place of business until something is done about the offending material.  We can talk to managers.  We can call our local news stations.  We can write our government officials be they mayors, congressman, and even the President.  If all of that seems overwhelming, you can at least hit the share button on your facebook newsfeed.  This is important.  Help spread the word.  Help spread the goodness.  Let's bring back some class and grace to our country and the world instead of having to bury our heads and our children's heads in the sand. 

If we sit back and just live our own lives and teach our children, that's great and all, but are we doing enough?  Satan is doing EVERYTHING he can to take us down.  Are we doing EVERYTHING we can to fight back?