In the World

General Conference happened last weekend! and you can look up and study the talks at (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?cid=HPTH100914477&lang=eng)

    This post is directed to members of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

     

     Among my favorite talks was "Loving Others and Living with Differences" by Elder Oaks. I already touched on some of the points he made in my previous post. But did everyone realize he mentioned that it was a commandment to "live in the world" ? It is easy to view "living in the world and not of the word" as meaning we are obviously forced to be in the world. Elder Oaks pointed out, however, that some church members are not "living in the world" and need to make some changed.

     He said

 "Too often non-mormons here in utah have been offended and alienated by some of our members who will not allow their children to be friends with children of other faiths. Surely we can teach our children values and standards of behavior without having them distance themselves or show disrespect to any who are different."

Christ said to the Father "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" John 17:15
Earlier in Elder Oak's talk he said the following, notice the word "Must" and not "forced". Because living out of the world is something that one living in Utah can easily achieve.

"We must live in the world because, as Jesus taught in a parable, his kingdom is 'like heaven,' whose function is to raise the whole mass by its influence"

He then suggests another change

"His followers cannot do that if they associate only with those who share their beliefs and practices."

Have friends outside of a church circle. The work of the lord is hastening. He is preparing people to learn about his gospel. It is hard to reach out to a stranger and invite them to the church, because there is no friendship there. With no friendship, the invitation will often lack the love needed. Reach out with the purpose of becoming friends, Missionary work will come as a natural side effect. Be genuine, be kind. and Start living in the world!