Be in the world but not of the world

“In the Church, we often state the couplet: ‘Be in the world but not of the world.’ 

“Perhaps we should state the couplet as two separate admonitions.

First, ‘Be in the world.’ Be involved; be informed. Try to be understanding and tolerant and to appreciate diversity. Make meaningful contributions to society through service and involvement.

Second, ‘Be not of the world.’ Do not follow wrong paths or bend to accommodate or accept what is not right.

“In spite of all of the wickedness in the world, and in spite of all the opposition to good that we find on every hand, we should not try to take ourselves or our children out of the world. Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,’ or yeast. (Matt. 13:33.) We are to lift the world and help all to rise above the wickedness that surrounds us” (“The Effects of Television,” Ensign, May 1989,M. Russell Ballard).