The Church Ensign just ran a wonderful article providing counsel, encouragement and support to young Latter-day Saints meeting the challenge of living in the world while not becoming of the world (Questions and Answers, Ensign, February, 2004, p. 56). Specifically, it addressed challenges stemming from sharing apartments with roommates who don't share their standards. While we applaud their efforts and endorse their counsel, it surprises me the Ensign overlooked the very simple solution adopted by BYU!
Namely, to sanitize our world (the instrument of disinfection being BYU-approved housing) so that we never encounter any but the similarly 'worthy' and (what would be worse still) so that we never be forced to assume the stewardship to positively influence some of our brothers and sisters not presently 'of the faith.'
The Ensign appears to accept the reality of 'opposition in all things' (2 Nephi 2:11) and seeks to support young Latter-day Saints in overcoming the world while also helping make the world a better place. This approach seems to reflect the Lord's prayer on behalf of his disciples, 'I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil' (John 17:15). But alas, BYU still seeks to make us all 'bubble' boys and girls -- safe, isolated, aloof? I wonder if we're all as vulnerable to 'infection' and as lacking in spiritual immune systems as seems to be presumed. Someday we must face the world . . . 'out there.' Is it really too soon, still? Or is the 'bubble' policy our parents' insistence? Or is it about image?
Joshua Butler
Orem
Mark H Butler Ph.D.
Professors of Marriage & Family Therapy