Latter-day Saints talk a lot about the wicked world: how it’s getting more wicked, how it’s a sign of the last days, how we’re supposed to be in but not of it, how we should protect our families and fortify our homes against it. But what do we mean when we talk disparagingly about it? What are we gaining collectively from embracing a distrust of, or desire to disengage from, the world? And could there be unintended consequences from consistently highlighting a fearful view?
Notes & Quotes:
Eboo Patel: Interfaith America is a Potluck Dinner, In Good Faith podcast, Ep. 131, 11/13/2022
To Be in the World but Not of the World, by Elder James A. Cullimore, 10/1973
Overcome the World and Find Rest, by Pres. Russell M. Nelson, 10/2022
Are We Living in a Sin-Saturated or Christ-Soaked World?, by Elisa, Wheat & Tares, 10/27/2022
Times & Seasons 15 April 1842, The Joseph Smith Papers
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear, by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 4/2017
Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, and Unlearning Certainty, Brene Brown with Father Richard Rohr, Unlocking Us podcast, 12/14/2022
“This world is a very wicked world; and it is a proverb that the ‘world grows weaker and wiser’ if it is the case, the world grows more wicked and corrupt. In the early ages of the world, a righteous man, and a man of God, and of intelligence had a better chance to do good, to be believed and received, than at the present day; but in these days such a man is much opposed and persecuted by most of the inhabitants of the earth;” — Joseph Smith, Times & Seasons
“Fear rarely has the power to change our hearts, and it will never transform us into people who love what is right.” — Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“All mature spirituality in one sense or another is about letting go and unlearning.” — Richard Rohr
Matt
At last they’re back!! It’s been a long cold winter waiting for new episodes! You two are the best!
This episode’s topic has been a pet peeve of mine for as long as I can remember. Actually, it’s two topics I guess. “The world is getting so wicked” and “This is the only true church”. Both statements are divisive and depressing to me. I am retired from a job that took me to 35 countries and I believe this is a wonderful world filled with kind, spiritual, loving, righteous people. And there is a wonderful “pot luck” buffet of truth out there in other religions, organizations, and societies. I find it odd that, as a collective group, Latter-day Saints believe no one else has any truth to offer us, yet at the same time we teach that “all truth can be circumscribed into one great whole”.
Thank you for collecting and sharing so much truth from so many people and places.
Shannon Starks
I still LOVE your podcast and want to thank you for providing this forum so badly needed for so many people. I do think the world is wicked (meaning the people of the world), and I include myself in that claim. I still like myself and really am doing the best I can to follow Jesus. It’s really hard not to judge people! But we are all born into a culture and cannot even be part of it without participating in systems that dominate, exploit, and devalue people. But no, we’re not getting more wicked, we’ve always been this way. That’s why Jesus brings such relief! No, I can’t be like Him, but in my efforts to be like Him, I feel His peace. You hit the nail on the head when you said doing what Jesus taught is the right way to live, and MANY people who don’t believe in Jesus do the things He taught.