Today, as so often happens, something was said in Sunday School which sparked my interest and got me thinking. Our Sunday School teacher told us that a few days ago her friend pointed out to her that the song she was listening to was not a good song. She was taken aback at first. She had liked the song for a long time, but after taking a moment to read the lyrics, realized that the song was indeed far below the standards that she has decided to live by.
This kind of experience happens frequently; so frequently in fact that I believe that there is cause to worry, and perhaps even cause for alarm. I live in a community of saints; a community where the vast majority of the population are members of Christ's restored church, endowed with spiritual gifts, not the least of which is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide, protect, and inspire us in all things. Yet, in spite of this marvelous gift, we often pursue entertainment, excitement, and leisure in ways that fail any serious test of morality or eternal value. At the root of this problem is what we today call 'moral relativism', but is, in fact, nothing more than the Twenty-First Century manifestation of the biblically prophesied time when men shall "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20).
The following vignette demonstrates in allegorical form our dilemma.
"Where one stands in relation to the light makes a big difference in whether one sees a lot of gray or a definite separation of black and white. To the man standing in the sun at noonday gazing into a cave, the demarcation of light and dark is stark and obvious; to the man gazing outward from within the cave many shades of gray appear, tho’ turning about, even to him the depths of the cave appear blackness. Likewise, as men walk backwards into moral darkness, they justify themselves by many seeming shades of gray, even if admitting blackness lies behind them; yet, continuing their receding march, each step backward into the abyss is afterward justified by the gray that then appears at their feet."
- David L. Crowley
Do you see in shades of gray? Is the distinction between good and evil a more of a blurred vagary than a clearly defined line? When you categorize things on the scale of good and evil, do you have more than two categories for those things that are less than good? Those who suffer under these illusions are caught up in one of the greatest deceptions of all time.
The delineation between good and evil is very clear: "they who are not for me are against me, saith our God." (2 Ne. 10:16) There is no third option. Consider the language of Mormon on the subject: "All things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God." (Moroni 7:12-16)
Note that Mormon says that the things of God persuade, invite, and entice toward good. This is specific and purposeful language. We like to create for ourselves a third category between good and evil. It is here that we keep those things which don't remind us of Christ or prompt us to become like Him but aren't really evil. We comfort ourselves in our small indulgences by categorizing them thus, when in reality this fabricated middle category lies wholly on the far side of the demarcation line between good and evil. All things which fail to invite and entice to become more like Christ are not sent from Him, and must, necessarily, be sent by the power and gift of the devil to distract, tantalize, and trap.
In the same way that darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence or opposite of good. What, then, is good? Said the Lord to the Prophet Joseph "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) "And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness." (D&C 50:23) And to Alma the Lord revealed that if a thing is good "it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good [thing]... for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." (Alma 32:28) And through Paul the Lord taught that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance." (Gal 5:22-23)
With so many signs given as evidence that a thing is of God, it is little wonder that Mormon says that we may know with a perfect knowledge whether an enticement has its origin in Christ or in the devil. But all too often we still fail to see clearly. Why? The saddest, and yet seemingly most likely answer is that in many things, we have already crossed the line, and in so doing, given up our ability to see clearly the good from the evil. Though a hackneyed sentiment, it is necessary that we take a moment and reassess our priorities, carefully examine our patterns of behavior and our system of evaluation, and make needed corrections.
The world rushes on to meet that day when we will see the King and Lord over all return. Everyday it grows more imperative that we touch not evil gifts and unclean things. We must heed well the council "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal 6:7)
