In a recent conference talk, Elder Dallin H. Oaks declared, “The attractions of the world must lose their luster.” Everything that we become attracted to, as human beings, we first become aware of through one of our five senses. Attractions are all learned responses through our senses, either by one alone, or a combination of them. Most of the things that we are attracted to, or by, are things that taste good, smell good, sound good, look good or feel good to us. Many attractions are acquired from our parents; things that are familiar, loving and comfortable. These things, during our lifetime, become our interests, habits, choices, preferences, the things we will be found spending our time doing.
A few harmful things only become attractive to us after a period of overcoming the initial rejection of them by our senses. Cigarettes, drugs, alcohol are seldom things that are immediately enjoyed and approved of by our senses; people have to force themselves to endure the rejection period before they can tolerate, then embrace and eventually crave them. Social or peer pressure provide the motivation to withstand the initial rejection period. If it were not so, no one would ever become addicted to them. For example, with smoking, the initial experience is very negative. Some get dizzy, sick and even turn green the first few times they attempt it. Each of our senses combine to develop our many attractions over our life span. Some of those attractions become our addictions that may or may not be acceptable by our society. But any normal human need, pursued in excess, can become an addiction: eating, shopping for clothes, or the desire to acquire things in general, whether they are needed or not, are fairly common addictions in our affluent society. Thus Elder Oaks warning “The attractions of the world must lose their luster.” Religiously oriented persons are cautioned to avoid addictions and to use moderation in all things pertaining to this world. We should use the elements of the earth, created for our use, wisely and economically, never in individual excess. Why? Primarily, for our health and well-being!
Pursuing worldly things in excess to satisfy our addictions, of any kind, consumes our productive time, our energy, as well as our means.
The greatest happiness in this life is found when we are being moderate or conservative in the use of these values. Obviously, life is less stressful when we are avoiding debt. The world is often referred to as a rat race, primarily by those of us who feel that we have to acquire things that might impress others. Maybe, we believe that things are a way to prove to others that we are smart, strong, or better than those who do not have them. Our excessive attraction to things diverts our time from those we love or time that could be used in sharpening our personal skills and edge, time being creative, or even in assisting those who need our help.
In using time wisely, one might even find time to research, identify and become acquainted with our ancestors. Those who built the bridges that span the distance from their time to ours, literally. They whose intellect and hard work brought us to our modern day. Those ancestors whom we have descended from genetically, those genes that have a part in describing who we are both physically and mentally.
We are the of the House of Israel, primarily by adoption, and Nephi described our Holy calling, “Thou art my servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.” (1 Nephi 21:3) He will be glorified by our performing eternal ordinances for all the families of the earth. Our many attractions are primarily what prevent our doing these most important services for our ancestors. Elder Dallin H. Oaks was correct in his declaration, “The attractions of the world must lose their luster.”