The Lowest Common Denominator

In Hungarian tradition, there is a fascinating story about a Capitan named Sylvester Danos whose only son was found assassinated in a town Capitan Danos' army was occupying.  The king was so enraged that one of his soldiers and the son of one of his greatest commanders was murdered that he ordered the City of Canossa was to be plundered by the Hungarian army for three hours.  The gates of the city were locked so no one could leave before the appointed time of reckoning.  Each resident undoubtedly imagined the brutality they were about to endure; stripped of all possessions and their daughters dishonored. 

When the troops had assembled in the town square, their commander Capitan Danos, still morning for the loss of his son, stood before them and said, "Hungarian men!  The king has resolved to punish the town of Canossa because in its streets one of his soldiers was treacherously assassinated.  He has therefore decreed that the town shall be given over to plunder by the Hungarian troops for the space of three hours.  Accordingly, I give you permission to go forth and seize whatever your eyes covet and your heart desires, from the priest's golden cross to the virgins' kiss.  This you may do in the name of the king and none shall say you nay.  But in my own name,  I tell you that it is not the part of an honest man to avail himself of such a permission.  Now, do what you think fit."

The sound of the clock tower echoed through town marking the beginning of the siege, but not another sound was heard.  No doors slamming open, no women screaming.  Not a single soldier broke from his ranks.  For three hours every man in that army stood at attention until the final bell rang out marking the conclusion of three hours.  The streets instantly filled with the residents of the town cheering the soldiers and dragging them by force into the homes that they were feared to have entered only hours before.

In today's society, we have similar permissions of the government and society to indulge ourselves.  Not in a raid of each other's homes per se, but to partake of things we should not.  Recreational marijuana is legal to enjoy, pornography is aggressively protected under the rights of free speech, and I won't be surprised when prostitution becomes legal here as it is in other parts of the world.

It seems every vice known to man is either protected or promoted by our society.  We can reduce our lives to the lowest common denominator with the full permissions of the government and society and there is none to say us nay. 

In the Book of Mormon, the lawyers accusing Alma and Amulek said they were reviling against their laws.  Then and now people think somehow that if the government allows it, that makes it right.

But it is not the part of an honest Christian to avail himself of such permissions.  We should stand our ranks in the Lord's army until the final bell calls us home.  President Nelson taught, "Why would any man waste his days and settle for Esau's mess of pottage when he has been entrusted with the possibility of receiving all of the blessings of Abraham?"

There is a price for indulging in the world's carnal pleasures, even if it is legal.  Our freedom.  Our families.  Our salvation.

Alexander Pope:
Vice is a monster of so frightful Mien,
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen;
Yet seen to oft, familiar with her face, 
we first endure, then pity, then embrace.