Fools Mock, but They Shall Mourn

The past few days I've been thinking about peer pressure and the tragedy of people fearing men more than God.

People naturally want to fit in and be accepted.  That's just human nature.  Nobody wants to feel different or be mocked because of what they say or do.   This is why peer pressure is so powerful.  Peer pressure can be good or bad.  People can be pressured into doing something good or doing something bad.  Unfortunately most peer pressure fits into the negative category.  Not too often does peer pressure work for good.

The world has rules if you want to fit in.  Society has rules if you want to fit in.  Cultures have rules if you want to fit in.  Communities and neighborhoods have rules if you want to fit in.  Friends have rules if you want to fit in.  Families have rules if you want too fit in.  The smaller and closer the group gets the more powerful is the peer pressure to fit in.

To feel like you fit in the world or society does not exert nearly as much pressure as feeling the need to fit in with friends and family.

Everybody's ability to withstand the pressure exerted on them to fit in is individualized.  We all came to Earth with qualities and characteristics we developed in our pre-Earth life.  Some people feel the need to conform and fit in much more than others do.  I, for one, consider myself blessed to not feel the need to conform or fit in like most people do.   I don't fall to peer pressure as easily as most.  Although we've all felt it and know what it's like.

God's rules to fit in haven't changed.  They remain constant.  The world's and society's rules, on the other hand, have changed quite drastically.  Even in the nearly 5 decades I've been on this earth.  And they've certainly changed dramatically over the past century or two.  Therefore it's becoming increasingly difficult to fit in with God and fit in with the world. We must now choose.  If we choose to fit in with God, we don't fit in with the world and vice versa.

Just a few decades ago nobody would have dreamed -- not even homosexuals -- that homosexual marriage would not only be legal but celebrated and embraced in society.  But that's what's happened.  Homosexuality which used to be considered deviant and shameful behavior and was  hidden in closets is now flaunted and celebrated.

A century or so ago adultery was actually illegal and punishable by law.  Breaking the law of chastity was considered shameful and immoral.  An unmarried woman who became pregnant was at the very least looked down upon by society.  Remember "The Scarlet Letter"? Now, adultery is merely frowned upon by some.  Fornication is not only accepted but expected in society.  Fornication is considered normal behavior now.  And those who choose to live a chaste lifestyle are considered weird or different and actually looked down upon and even mocked.

My how times have changed!  It brings to mind the scripture in Isaiah, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"  -- Isaiah 5:20.  This is the world we live in today.  Evil is called good and good is called evil.  What was once considered immoral is now celebrated.   What was once considered moral and right is now considered old-fashioned at the very least, out of vogue, and wrong.

As the world and society deviate further and further from God's laws, it is increasingly difficult to follow God's laws without being mocked, scorned, looked down upon, and rejected.

Sadly, many of those doing the mocking and scorning are those from within our own tightknit circles.  Our family and friends.  Especially those who have let go of the iron rod and fallen off the straight and narrow path and are now in the great and spacious building.

The saddest case of peer pressure is when parents mock their own children. Your parents are supposed to be your lifeline security.  They are always supposed to have your back more than anyone.  It's absolutely tragic when a parent teaches their children to reject God's laws and mocks them if they continue to choose to follow God's laws.  Unfortunately the bond between parent and child is so strong that often times the child will choose to follow their evil parent over God.  To avoid the mocking and rejection of a parent.  Kids want their parents to like them and accept them at all costs.  Even if it means losing their own souls.

Children of divorce are particularly vulnerable.  They've already been rejected by a parent who chooses a floozy/floozer and/or different lifestyle over their children.  And they continually face rejection as the walkout parent selfishly puts their new lifestyle ahead of their children.  These children want nothing more than the basic love and security that every child deserves and every parent should give them. Every child craves the love and respect of their parents.  And will do anything to try to get it.

It's hard enough to make it in this world when your parents are teaching you truth and guiding you on the correct path. It's much more difficult and nearly impossible when your parent/s mock you for doing what's right.  Any parent who deliberately drags their children down to hell and the gulf of endless misery, will face the wrath of God.

"... Fools mock, but they shall mourn..." -- Ether 12:26

That's my two cents.