29 And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who were Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers.
Surging selfishness…has shrunken some people into ciphers; they seek to erase their emptiness by sensations. But in the arithmetic of appetite, anything multiplied by zero still totals zero! Each spasm of selfishness narrows one’s universe that much more by reducing his awareness of or concern with others. In spite of its outward, worldly swagger, such indulgent individualism is actually provincial, like goldfish in a bowl congratulating themselves on their self-sufficiency, never mind the food pellets or changes of water (“Repent of [Our] Selfishness,” General Conference, April 1999).
I love the maxwell quote! Good ole Maxwell, how I miss him. I have always found this passage of scripture interesting. I think we see ample example of youth “becoming for themselves” in our society, and it is strange to witness first hand the emptiness and loneliness it brings. Thanks for putting it in perspective that it is an action of selfishness. So glad we know the remedy to to that vicious infection.
I miss Elder Maxwell too. I remember President Hinckley's words at Elder Maxwell's funeral: “I know of no other man who spoke in such an interesting and distinct manner. His genius was the product of diligence. He was a perfectionist determined to exact from every phrase and sentence every drop of nutrition that could be produced. Each talk was a masterpiece, each book was a work of art. I think we shall not see one like him again.”