I recently ran across a bookmark I have in my Book of Mormon from GMBA Campout 1996. The theme was “Back to the Basics.” I was 9 years old at the time, so I can’t say I remember much from this particular campout, but that theme immediately reminded me of a song called “The Basics of Life” by 4HIM. Although this song was released in 1992, its lyrics are more relevant today than ever. The chorus sings like this:

“We need to get back
To the basics of life
A heart that is pure
And a love that is blind
A faith that is fervently grounded in Christ
The hope that endures for all times
These are the basics, we need to get back
To the basics of life”

Every day, we — and most especially our young people — are bombarded with the world’s view of what’s right and what’s wrong. At every turn, we encounter messages trying to persuade us that God’s word is outdated. That our morals are old fashioned. That our views are antiquated. The song puts it this way:

“We’ve turned the page, for a new day has dawned
We’ve re-arranged what is right and what’s wrong
Somehow we’ve drifted so far from the truth
That we can’t get back home

Where are the virtues that once gave us light?
Where are the morals that governed our lives?”

But we know better. We know that God never changes. He has given us His word and the Holy Ghost to help us discern right from wrong, and has exhorted us not to follow the world’s standards. It’s not always easy to maintain these basics — a pure heart, blind love, fervent faith, enduring hope — but we must try our best to shine our light in an otherwise dim world. We may be someone’s only chance to see it. The songwriters say:

“We’ve let the darkness invade us too long
We’ve got to turn the tide
Oh, and we need the passion that burned long ago
To come and open our eyes
There’s no room for compromise”

God’s word, of course, says it best: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.