"I'm not sure I understand."
Eli smiled. "You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care."
Punchinello did not stop, but in his heart he thought, I think he really means it. And when he did, a dot fell to the ground.
-You Are Special by Max Lucado
This past year, I have had multiple experiences which helped me to distinguish between a set of ideals that are prevalent topics in today's society ie: Naivete and Virtue. Many individuals are repetitively belittled for being naive because they will or won't participate in certain activities. Such belittling can be the source of many wounded or angry feelings. Lately I have been wondering why? Why do such accusations leave such a bitter taste in our mouths? In reality, each of us is imperfect and because we are so, it is very possible that we do, in some situations, act out of naivete. If that is the case, it is essential that we recognize our ignorance and correct ourselves. However, "Naive" is a powerful label that we must use with utmost caution. It is imperative that we do not make the regrettable mistake of misusing that title, especially if the description is implemented in the degradation of another ideal infinitely more powerful, an ideal such as Virtue.
Unlike Naivete, Virtue is not the act of making a blind leap in the dark. It is an open-eyed, conscious decision to step towards the light. Virtue is having full comprehension of Evil and its enticements and choosing Goodness instead. Some would paint Virtue and Naivete on the same plane but they are not; Virtue acts out of strength; Naivete acts not at all. Satan would have us be naive; God would have us be pure. Similarly, many would have us believe that purity and innocence are identical, that one cannot be pure without first being innocent. I passionately disagree. Only consider; once we have made a mistake, it is impossible to be made innocent. However, even the darkest metal can be made pure.
I want to clarify that I am not fabricating a clever cop-out. True, it is near impossible to be innocent, but it is painful to be pure. Purity entails a sense of purging, of refining. There is a power and strength in purity and virtue that is not found in innocence or naivete. Some would argue that one cannot really understand "the dark side" until she has experienced it for herself. To those challengers, I would assert that the best way to know the real power of evil is by resisting it. Giving in is easy - you never experience the full force of temptation. But consistently rejecting the powerful enticings of opposition? that is real strength. That is real understanding.
Neither am I deprecating innocence. In fact, I believe that between innocence and purity, innocence is preferable; better to not make an error then to fix one. No, there is no problem with innocence. There is however, a problem with
ignorance. Agency is a powerful weapon and can be extremely dangerous in
the hands of someone who does not know which way to wield it. In the end, I guess that is what this all comes down to, why we are so emotionally affected by the labeling. It is only reasonable to conclude that we (both those who label and those who are labeled "naive") are defending what we have been fighting to defend for eons. We are defending our ability to act for ourselves and not to be acted upon, we are defending our agency. This is the power that ennobles humankind, that distinguishes man from every other form of life on this planet, that designates us as Children of God.
In the midst of all of the hurtful labeling, we are aware of the significance of the label. God himself has said that a man cannot be saved in ignorance (D&C 131:6). If we are truly naive, we are like a car without a steering wheel: fueled with energy but lacking the resources necessary to provide direction. In contrast, if we are aware of our circumstances, WE CAN CHOOSE FOR OURSELVES. Not simply that, but those who understand Truth can virtuously choose Goodness. Odds are we will make mistakes, but those who have lost their innocence can choose purity. Yes, it will be painful, but with the stakes so high, would we really choose to sit in the immobilizing damnation of ignorance and naivete? For those who have consciously chosen to be virtuous, God awaits with a reward of exaltation, a reward that was never intended for the naive.
