The Importance of Soberness (Outisde of the Word of Wisdom) - Kurt Payne

To be sober, according to Elder Hamula of the Quorum of the Seventy, is to be earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances and careful and circumspect in weighing the consequences of your actions.1 It is analogous to the saying look before you leap, and measure twice and cut once. In German, the word for soberness is ernsthaftes, which comes from two words: “ernst,” meaning earnestness; and “haft,” which means to restrain or confine. Put together, you could define soberness as restraining earnestness. There are numerous references to this virtue throughout the standard works; most of them refer to commandments from the Lord, a concept that will be explored later. I think of soberness (not sobriety) as bridling your passions. However, I do not mean to say that soberness is equal to apathy: it’s nowhere close; rather it’s a middle ground. Too often people let their passions get a-hold of them, and they end up making disastrous decisions. Being sober is equivalent to being prudent, and doing what makes sense; while it isn’t always the best thing to do, nine times out of ten, it will lead you in the right direction.

Being sober will help us in making decisions. Having our heads clear of excess emotion is always a good idea, as we are able to respond to adverse situations with reason, rather than react with passion. Elder Hamula goes on in his address to state that soberness therefore yields good judgment, as well as measured conduct.1 This almost happened to me at the beginning of this last school year. I had the opportunity to buy a business from a BYU graduate for a large amount of money. All I could see was the fulfillment of my dream of owning a business, and dollar signs as I saw revenue roll in. However, luckily, I consulted my parents and my sister, and I prayed very hard about the decision, and I decided not to go through with it. In retrospect, having bought the business would have been a disaster, as I would have had no time to do anything with it, and it would have severely cut into my education. I am now sincerely grateful for prayer and for the slight bit of soberness that I had been blessed with at that time. I am usually good about keeping my passions and emotions in check, but sometimes…

There were many scripture figures who I admire who possessed this prized attribute. The most notable was Mormon. It states in the beginning of the Book of Mormon that Ammoron told Mormon that he was chosen by God because he was of a sober mind, and quick to observe.2 This declaration could not be used to describe many of the people of that time, most of whom were utterly wicked, and had forgotten God. Obviously, they weren’t a sober people, as they had forsaken the prudent choice, which would have been to pray for forgiveness in order to preserve not only their lives, but their civilization as well. Due to the fact that Mormon was sober, he was greatly blessed by God, and was chosen to keep the last of the sacred records, in addition to being made commander of the Nephite armies at the age of sixteen, and having seen Christ as a young adult. Surely having this attribute wouldn’t be adverse to our own spiritual well-being, even though our situation is much different to that of Mormon. Other figures who possessed sober minds were the first two sons of Alma, who accompanied him on his mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites. In his addresses to them in Chapters 37 and 38, he tells his sons Shiblon and Helaman to continue to be sober, as they already had been righteous in attempting to fulfill their mission. Also, Alma tells his son Corianton to be sober, a trait he had hitherto not possessed, as evidenced by his iniquitous actions.3

The Lord commands us to be sober on multiple instances in the scriptures. One such instance occurs in the New Testament. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.4 Earlier in the same chapter, Paul speaks to specific groups to be sober, such as young men and women, and also to bishops who should teach to those in their stewardships to be sober as well. Another scripture is found in Peter. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.5 I believe that the Lord wants us to be sober for the reason stated before; so that we can make good decisions. I also think that he is trying to help us keep ourselves safe from sin. If we are thinking clearly, then we are much more likely to avoid making the wrong choices, at least intentionally.

In return for maintaining sober minds, The Lord promises us salvation when he comes again. Indeed, those who have sober minds will have the power to endure to the end, because along with soberness inherently comes such virtues as self-discipline and temperance. In fact, this rule generally tends to be true, that virtue attracts more virtue, and corruption breeds more corruption. Alma also speaks somewhat on this principle when speaking about the resurrection on Judgement Day. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other.5 Other blessings for soberness include an increased ability to feel the Holy Ghost, as we will be able to hear his voice the more calm and “under control” we keep our emotions. I bear witness that as we garner and cultivate soberness, we will be blessed like those spoken of in the scriptures, and we will be able to have greater peace of mind, and we will be more in tune with God’s plan for us.

Works Cited
1. James J. Hamula, “Winning the War against Evil,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 50–53
2. Mormon 1:2
3. Alma 42:31
4. Titus 2:11,12
5. 1 Peter 4:7
6. Alma 41:4