Should I Keep Reading?

By Brooklyn P., age 9, Utah, USA

Last year I picked out a book at the library about a girl who started a blog. I thought it would be a fun book because the main character was the same age as me, and my mom is a blogger. So I thought it would be a book I could relate to.

I had only read a few pages of the book when the girl took the Lord’s name in vain. I didn’t feel very good inside after I read that part. But I kept reading, hoping it was just a one-time thing. I read a few more pages, and she said it again.

I went and told my mom about what I’d found. I didn’t know if I should keep reading or not. My mom told me it was my choice. But she agreed it probably wasn’t a good thing to keep reading if the girl was saying things we knew to be wrong. My mom said that it especially wasn’t good if she was taking the Lord’s name in vain.

I thought I would see if it happened more, so I flipped through the book. I found that taking the Lord’s name in vain was the way this girl regularly talked. I decided to return the book to the library without reading any more.

I felt sad that the author of the book took the Lord’s name in vain. But after I returned the book to the library, I felt happy that I made the right choice. I know I was following “My Gospel Standards” from my Faith in God book that says, “I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.” I know we are only supposed to use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus reverently and with respect.