being sober

Now, my young friends, you need to appreciate that our days now and the days that lie ahead are “perilous.” (2 Timothy 3:1) In this regard, President Boyd K. Packer has observed:

“I know of nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now.” Boyd K. Packer, “The One Pure Defense” (address to CES religious educators, Feb. 6, 2004), 4.

In referring to the perils of our day, I do not intend to inspire fear, but soberness. Being sober means being earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances and careful and circumspect in weighing the consequences of your actions. Soberness therefore yields good judgment, as well as measured conduct. No wonder then that prophets counsel young men to be sober.* Remember Mormon’s observation that what made Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors so effective in battle was not just their courage, strength, and trustworthiness, but their “soberness.” (Alma 53:20–21) Mormon valued such a trait because he was blessed to possess it himself. It was Mormon who was entrusted with the sacred records of the Nephite nation at only 10 years of age because he was a “sober child” and “quick to observe.” (Mormon 1:2) And it was Mormon who, at age 15, was “visited of the Lord” and “knew of the goodness of Jesus” because he was of a “sober mind.” (Mormon 1:15)

James J. Hamula, “Winning the War against Evil,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 50–53


*Alma counseled each of his sons—Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton—to “be sober” (see Alma 37:47; 38:15; 42:31). Paul also exhorted young men to be “sober minded” (Titus 2:6). In addition, Paul counseled others to be sober, particularly bishops (see Romans 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 1 Timothy 3:2, 11; Titus 1:8; 2:2, 4, 12).