Moderation in Good Things

My wife and I were in a used book store recently.  Book stores are fun places for me; it's neat to be surrounded by aisles full of shelves full of books.

At the same time, I realize that I will never read most of them.  That's not just because time is short, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to read them all; it's because I know that many aren't worth reading.  The books' quality of writing and worthiness of material are often inadequate, but a lot are just trashy.  A lot of filth is published that doesn't merit being read.

Sometimes I've flipped through a book casually; whether by doing so or by reading a full book I think I've noticed a trend: somewhere between one quarter to halfway through a book, and author will often include a scene containing some sexuality.  In a way I think this is supposed to make the protagonist seem more impressive, but I also figure that the scene is included so as to keep a reader reading far enough that eventually their investment of time in the book leads them to want to keep reading the rest.  Meanwhile, there are hints that lead up to these scenes and entice the reader in the same way.

Maybe I'm wrong about why the trash is there, but it's often there.  The other thing I notice is that there's only a little bit of it.  I'm sure there are plenty of books of other types that are filled with garbage, but in a common novel there's just a bit.  Just enough to taint it, in my view.  It's as if the author, publisher, or average reader feels that, while a lot of sexuality is bad, or "in poor taste", a little bit of sexuality is good.  They might say that we should seek balance, and that "excessive" sexuality would not be great but a lack of it would be "boring", "stale", or negative in some other way.

Of course I would disagree with them.

I notice that something similar occurs in another fiction medium: film.  So often we see a movie that is entertaining and that we like except for a few small parts.  So often.  Sometimes the first thought I have after a movie ends is, "Well, we won't own that one," because of a bit of bad language, sexual innuendo or discussion, or stark violence.  Interestingly, a commonly accepted movie rating, PG-13, allows for this small amount of objectionable material.  Frequently, people tolerate smaller offenses just because they are smaller, and frequently we then become accustomed to them in a way described by Alexander Pope:

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,

As to be hated needs but to be seen;

Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,

We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

(“Essay on Man,” Epistle II, line 135.)

 

That's the danger.  The danger is that we come to accept something that is bad.

 

I've often heard the expression, "Moderation in all things," or "all things in moderation."  Perhaps it's implicitly understood by some that "all things" doesn't include vice (Joseph Smith clearly used the phrase in the thirteenth Article of Faith to refer to all good things), but I seem to see a lot of tolerance of evil in the world.

If I ever were to share the quote myself, I would feel it necessary to remove the ambiguity by not using the word "all".  I'm definitely comfortable with omitting some things from my life.

 

Having cited either the fact that Jesus and his disciples drank wine or studies that show health benefits of the drink, I've heard people state that alcohol is good in moderation.  Certainly, such a standard does not align with covenants I've made.

 

And certainly, there are many other worldly standards that aren't sufficient for my covenants.

 

Last thoughts for now:
I struggle sometimes when deciding what media I'm going to allow in my home, and deciding on what I'm going to spend money (2 Nephi 9:51 "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.")  I'm sure that sometimes I don't find the right balance, but I know that some things shouldn't be a part of my home, my conversation, my meal, or any other aspect of my life.  Instead of seeking moderation in things that are not of God,I know I must "seek after these things" that are "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy".  Instead of a balance between good and evil, I should find balance between family responsibilities, Church, work, and other worthwhile pursuits.  I sure haven't mastered it yet, but that's my challenge.