Alma 6-7

(March 19, 2015)

                Many aspects of culture and history are a choice, I have learned.  Those we choose as a society to emulate makes a big difference in our dedication to the Lord.  It is easy enough to say that a righteous people took on the name of Gideon, but there is a certain amount of truth to the idea that a people that takes upon themselves the name of Gideon become a righteous people. 

                Likewise, we see those who say that the morality of those we admire does not matter.  But if we look up to hedonists and nihilists, how can we expect to not become tainted by their philosophies.  We wouldn’t take upon ourselves the name of Ammonihah, nor would we look up to him (despite how well he might do in other areas of his life).  By the same token, we should carefully choose those who we look up to in media and sports, because even when we think we are only admiring them for their capacity to entertain or compete, we risk their philosophies gradually coming to be our own.