Today’s General Conference talk is To be in the World, but not of the World, by Brother James Cullimore.  It is a topic of repeated need.

May we appreciate the privilege that is ours in living in this time, in the beautiful, wonderful world in which we live. May we let the gospel light guide us that we may be in the world and yet not partake of the evil of the world.

The world is a constant attractor.  The default state–entropy–is that we slip into worldliness.  In the world naturally becomes of the world.  It requires conscious effort to resist. 

Anyone who does not have a considered answer about how they and their family are resisting the world is not resisting it.  It cannot be done unconsciously or as a side effect.

Having a considered answer requires knowing the mechanisms wherein the world subverts us.  The basic answer is simply exposure.

‘Possibly a good definition of the world would be: “Exposure to things about us, whether good or bad—right or wrong.”

There must be a border between your family and the world, over which entry is controlled.

Brother Cullimore is pretty sanguine about the possibility of succeeding in worldly spheres without compromising our principles.  That was in the 70s.  I wonder if he would be less optimistic today.  Probably.  But perhaps not.  Perhaps our fears of being Eiched are a case of collective cowardice.