In the 15 June 2011 issue of the Deseret News appears an article which says Colleges and Universities across America are wrestling with the problems of binge-drinking and the culture of "hooking-up". The article states,
Earlier this year, a 19-year old University of Florida student died from alcohol poisoning over spring break, a fraternity at Cornell was suspended after a student was found dead at his frat house in an apparent alcohol-related death and the Tufts University president nixed a decade-long ritual that involved drinking and streaking, saying the blood-alcohol levels of students were at dangerous levels. A CNN columnist reported last month . . . that sexually active teen girls are more than twice as likely to be depressed than those who are not sexually active and nearly three times more likely to commit suicide. College students who have been sexually active also have a harder time when they decide they want to spend the rest of their life with one person, the columnist reported.
Now, I know that the majority of the world (let alone the United States of America) has never heard the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but nevertheless, how are the people of this great nation so naive in thinking they can sin and be happy at the same time? This fulfills the words of Samuel the Lamanite and Alma to the contrary, who both respectively state, "Ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. (Helaman 13:38)" and "Do not suppose . . . that ye shall be restored [resurrected] from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness. (Alma 41:10)"
Earlier this year, a 19-year old University of Florida student died from alcohol poisoning over spring break, a fraternity at Cornell was suspended after a student was found dead at his frat house in an apparent alcohol-related death and the Tufts University president nixed a decade-long ritual that involved drinking and streaking, saying the blood-alcohol levels of students were at dangerous levels. A CNN columnist reported last month . . . that sexually active teen girls are more than twice as likely to be depressed than those who are not sexually active and nearly three times more likely to commit suicide. College students who have been sexually active also have a harder time when they decide they want to spend the rest of their life with one person, the columnist reported.
Now, I know that the majority of the world (let alone the United States of America) has never heard the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but nevertheless, how are the people of this great nation so naive in thinking they can sin and be happy at the same time? This fulfills the words of Samuel the Lamanite and Alma to the contrary, who both respectively state, "Ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. (Helaman 13:38)" and "Do not suppose . . . that ye shall be restored [resurrected] from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness. (Alma 41:10)"
The Lord Himself has told us plainly that alcoholic beverages are not good. Says He,
Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. (D&C 89:4-5)
There are many things Brigham Young University is known for. Among them are stone-cold sober students and single-sex dorms. Why is BYU the envy of the world of higher learning if not for these things? To make the point, from the aforesaid Deseret News article we read again,
Loyola Marymount University professor Christopher Kaczor wrote, . . . 'Many parents would prefer to have single-sex residences for their children. Single-sex residences lead to the perception and the reality of a safer campus, especially for female students. Lower levels of binge drinking and participation in the hookup culture may also lead to higher graduation rates and a more academic atmosphere on campus, increasing prestige, wich boosts enrollment.'
The wisdom of the world indeed is foolishness in the eyes of the Lord, who gives to His children as much as they need. We need the revelations of the Lord given through the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We need, as a Church and as a people, to stick with virtue always. Aristotle said it best when he said that "virtue makes us aim in the right mark, and practical wisdom makes us take the right means. (Deseret News, 15 June 2011, p. A8)" In the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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