Also defined by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the word “vulgar” means “Lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste; morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate.”
Our son, who is seven years old, recently began blurting out the word “damn.” I am sure he’s been hearing all kinds of language among his friends and classmates at school. We talked about it tonight again, reminding him that some words we choose not to use. Then my wife and I got into discussing the reasons we shun certain words.
As I see it, the worst kinds of swearing are words that profane the sacred. Taking the Lord’s name in vain, or using other sacred words in a profane way.
Other kinds of vulgarity are shunned not because they are an offense against God, but because of their impoliteness or offensiveness to other people--barn talk or words that draw attention to private and personal things in an indecorous way. These too are offensive to God, but maybe not for the same reason. Parents without reverence for or even a belief in God will teach their children to avoid these words in favor of more educated and refined expressions.
Profanity crosses the commandment given as:
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20: 7)Vulgarity is contrary to the righteous principles expressed in the Thirteenth Article of Faith:
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (Pearl of Great Price, Articles of Faith 1:13)Profanity is offensive to God first, and then offensive to others secondarily because of their respect for God. Vulgarity is offensive to others first and then offensive to God secondarily because vulgarity offends his children and because it is a symptom of ill discipline and disrespect for the standards of society.
As a Latter-day Saint, I respect the counsel of the prophets who have urged the saints to use respect in their language. As an example to my son, I am recommitted to keep my language clean. I have never been one to profane. I feel to exercise great respect in the way I use the name of God and otherwise talk about sacred things. I have not always given the same importance to avoiding non-profane vulgarity. But that changes today.
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