“The Compass Which Had Been Prepared of the Lord Did Cease to Work”

Bryan Richards

So it is with us. When we begin to harbor unclean thoughts or exhibit a spirit of rebellion, the Holy Ghost, our personal Liahona, will leave us to ourselves.

The sin which brought this punishment to Lehi's family was the rebellious spirit and exceeding rudeness that they exhibited. This term, "exceeding rudeness," may be unusual to us but probably conveys a disrespect for God, a lewdness of speech and action, and a selfish, indulgent spirit. In this context, it could be used to accurately describe the tone and content of many recent TV programs and movies—"exceeding rudeness," with respect to God. We must be careful, therefore, that we don't force the Spirit to leave us because of the things we watch in our homes. If we fill our minds with the "exceeding rudeness" of today's entertainment, our spiritual compass will cease to work.

H. David Burton

"A loving stake presidency helped their youth have a better understanding of the pitfalls of being continually bombarded by the degrading lyrics of many of today's popular songs and the indecent images portrayed in some movies and videos. They were taught these mediums can produce much that is positive, inspiring, uplifting, and attractive; or they can also desensitize the mind and make what is wrong and evil look normal, exciting, and acceptable. Many of the young people hearkened to their stake presidency and courageously destroyed their tapes, discs, and videos which were not 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy' (A of F 1:13) Young people, please don't listen to music that promotes Satanism or other evil practices, encourages immorality, uses foul and offensive language, or drives away the Spirit" (For the Strength of Youth pamphlet as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p.57)

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