In the World but not of the World

Lesson 19, In the World but not of the World


“While we are in the world, we are not of the world. We are expected to overcome the world and to live as becometh saints.”

On December 29, 1944, President Joseph Fielding Smith’s son Lewis died while serving in the United States Army. Despite the grief President Smith experienced, he was comforted by the memory of Lewis’s good life. “If Lewis ever did or said a mean thing I never heard of it,” President Smith wrote in his journal. “His thoughts were pure as were his actions. … As severe as the blow is we have the peace and happiness of knowing that he was clean and free from the vices so prevalent in the world and found in the army. He was true to his faith and is worthy of a glorious resurrection, when we shall be reunited again.”

About 11 years later, President Joseph Fielding Smith and his wife Jessie saw similar characteristics in other military personnel. They toured the Church’s missions in east Asia and also visited Latter-day Saints from the United States who were serving in the military. President and Sister Smith were impressed with these young men, who, in spite of the temptations of the world, lived good, clean lives. In the October 1955 general conference, President Smith reported:

“You fathers and mothers who have sons serving in the forces, be proud of them. They are fine young men. Some of our servicemen are converts, who have been brought into the Church by the teachings, by precept and by example—principally by example by the members of the Church who are also serving with them in the forces.

“I met a number of young men who said, ‘We came in the Church because of the lives of these young men and because they taught us the principles of the gospel.’

“They are doing a good work. There might be one or two that may be careless, but those young men with whom I had the privilege of meeting, talking to, would bear their testimony of the truth and were walking humbly.

“And as I met with the officers and chaplains … , universally they said, ‘We like your young men. They are clean. They are dependable.’”²

President Smith admonished members of the Church to be—like these young servicemen—“different from the rest of the world.”

 

The Lord expects us to forsake the evils of the world and live as becometh Saints.

 Keeping the Sabbath day holy.

Obeying the Word of Wisdom

Respecting the name of Deity

Dressing modestly and keeping the law of chastity

 



The blessings promised to the faithful are far greater than the temporary pleasures of the world.

 

As we put God’s kingdom first in our lives, we act as lights to the world and set an example for others to follow.