Viva Las Vegas

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Posted by Connor on December 4th, 2006

I’m in Vegas for the next couple days for an industry conference. While I’m excited for the things I’ll be learning about at the conference, I think it’s safe to say that there’s no place I’d rather not be.

Upon checking in at the hotel, I walked around the strip for a little while. That lasted for about thirty minutes, when I had finally had it and went back to the hotel. I haven’t felt that sick to my stomach in a long time.

You can’t look anywhere without seeing mostly naked women. Taxi advertisements, trucks driving around trailers with a full size photo of an “escort”, street-side video billboards, and nudity-laden advertisements strewn about all over the sidewalks. Then there are the people who walk around handing the filth out to others, pushing the business cards and brochures into people’s faces, hoping for new clients.

I wondered what type of environments these “escorts” (and all women who are involved in pornography) grew up in. I wonder what their family situations were like. I wonder what has led them to such a degrading lifestyle. I wonder what their parents think of such a course of action. I wonder what these women think of themselves. I wonder if any of them even care about such things.

I feel like Vegas is somewhat like Ammonihah, only saved from destruction because of the righteous who live there. After all, Vegas has a temple… What would happen if there was a mass exodus of anybody living a clean, moral life?

One of the things I despise about the Vegas culture is its heavily marketed phrase: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. This statement encourages myriad types of lasciviousness while attempting to evade accountability for anything the person does while visiting here.

I hate to break it to these partiers, but we will be held accountable for everything we do (or don’t do). You may be able to cover up your sins for now, but God is watching and the angels are recording what you do, what you say, and all else you think you can hide. What’s worse for such people is that their sinful behavior will be made known to the public:

And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed. (D&C 1:3)

I guess what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas…

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3 comments so far. Care to chime in?

Ugh. Yeah. I’ve never been to Vegas. Just not my place.

At least the conference should be interesting. :)

RKM had a post that linked to one titled “…my new favorite celestial room.” Maybe you should go to the temple. Somehow, I have a feeling that will help–whether it’s Jeff Lindsay’s favorite or not. Zion in the midst of Babylon, y’know.

#1 Naiah Earhart | December 4th, 2006 8:19 AM

Connor, I suspect you’ll find time to go to the temple while you’re there–let us know how you liked it. I too loved the Celestial Room in the LV Temple. We lived there for about 6 months. Most members avoid the strip and Las Vegas is a totally different experience for LDS members. Wards have plenty of great activities, sports programs are wonderful, etc. All in all our experience there was positive. But I agree with your impressions of the strip. Bleccck.

#2 Bored in Vernal | December 4th, 2006 9:14 AM

Connor, try the temple or my house. My mom would be glad to give you a home cooked meal if you don’t mind the drive out to Summerlin. Seriously. (Includes free wireless Internet!)

#3 Richard K Miller | December 4th, 2006 10:36 AM