Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 53:2, 7
"Behold, I, the Lord, who was crucified for the sins of the world, give unto you a commandment that you shall forsake the world.
And again, I would that ye should learn that he only is saved who endureth unto the end. Even so. Amen."
What does it mean to "forsake the world"? As I pondered on this I thought about how to forsake doesn't mean you just leave it behind. You must be filled with something in its place. That would be a heart turned to Jesus Christ and eternal life. The focus and heart's desire is for something better, and the things of the world will not stop you.
"Therefore, forsake the world and save your souls; for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
(Matthew 16:29)
"What is the meaning of these scriptural cautions and commandments not to be “of the world” or the modern commandment to “forsake the world”? President Thomas S. Monson summarized these teachings: “We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "The Plan and the Proclamation", Oct 2017 General Conference)
"The Prophet said that if we would go where God is, we must be like him; that is, we must develop the characteristics and the attributes and the perfections which God has. The struggle which we face is whether we will overcome the world or whether we will be overcome by the world. All men forsake the world when they come into the Church; they then overcome the world if they continue in righteousness and in diligence in keeping the commandments of God.
No one has overcome the world, the world of carnality and corruption, until he has given his heart to Christ, until he uses all his talents, abilities, and strength in keeping the commandments of God, and in causing this great work to roll forth."
(Bruce R. McConkie, "Overcome the World", April 1955 General Conference)
"Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
“In the Church, we often state the couplet: ‘Be in the world but not of the world.’ …
“Perhaps we should state the couplet … as two separate admonitions. First, ‘Be in the world.’ Be involved; be informed. Try to be understanding and tolerant and to appreciate diversity. Make meaningful contributions to society through service and involvement. Second, ‘Be not of the world.’ Do not follow wrong paths or bend to accommodate or accept what is not right.
“… In spite of all of the wickedness in the world, and in spite of all the opposition to good that we find on every hand, we should not try to take ourselves or our children out of the world. Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,’ or yeast. (Matt. 13:33.) We are to lift the world and help all to rise above the wickedness that surrounds us” (“The Effects of Television,” Ensign, May 1989, 80).
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual "Chapter 20: Doctrine and Covenants 51-56")
