Applying the scriptures: Obedience to Lord's law associated with blessings
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Elder L. Tom Perry said at the April 1988 general conference that the story of Daniel is a classic example of one who lived "in the world" and influenced it through his righteous decisions.
Daniel and certain other young Hebrews were taken into Babylon, a strange land with strange customs, a strange environment, and a very different religious heritage. (See Dan. 1.)Elder Perry outlined the saga of Daniel, who refused to defile himself by eating of the "king's meat" or drinking of "the wine which he drank." (Dan. 1:8.)
A servant tried to persuade Daniel to eat and drink what had been provided so he would not grow weak.
"Daniel's strategy was most interesting," Elder Perry said. "He did not challenge the beliefs of the Babylonians. Instead, he volunteered to conduct a test as to which way was best. . . . For the next 10 days, Daniel and those who were with him ate and drank only of the things that they knew they should. At the end of the 10th day, Daniel and his friends were found to be healthier and stronger than all the rest. Daniel soon found that he did not have to adopt a different standard of values when he was `in the world.' "
Elder Perry said that when he was a young executive, he had to attend, as part of his job, dinners that were sponsored by different business groups. He said he felt uncomfortable at the social hour, being the only one without a drink in his hand. Finally, he asked the bartender for a drink that had no appearance of alcohol. The bartender gave him a glass of milk.
"Pouring a glass of milk at a cocktail hour was a unique event," Elder Perry said. "It seemed to attract the attention of everyone, and I became the target of a lot of jesting. It embarrassed me at first, until I discovered that I was meeting more business leaders than I had at any previous gathering. I found that I did not have to violate Church standards to become a viable, contributing member of my chosen profession. It was more the case that success came because I did adhere to my values. . . .
"I found, just as Daniel did, that being different in the world brought some interesting reactions, but obedience to the Lord's law is always associated with His blessings."
