1 Ne 20:20 Go ye forth of Babylon

Babylon is used in the scriptures as a symbol of the wickedness of the world. To leave Babylon is to leave the wicked of the world and begin life as a follower of Jesus Christ. This symbolism is also important because of the many scriptures which talk about the destruction of Babylon. These have a dual meaning—they refer to the literal destruction of the kingdom of Babylon and to the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming of Christ.

Neal A. Maxwell

“Even if we decide to leave Babylon, some of us endeavor to keep a second residence there, or we commute on weekends. To quote President Marion G. Romney, some go on ‘trying to serve the Lord without offending the devil’ (“The Price of Peace,” in Speeches of the Year [Provo: Brigham Young University, March 1, 1955], p. 7).” (Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light, p.47)

“Why do some of our youth risk engaging in ritual prodigalism, intending to spend a season rebelling and acting out in Babylon and succumbing to that devilishly democratic ‘everybody does it’? Crowds cannot make right what God has declared to be wrong. Though planning to return later, many such stragglers find that alcohol, drugs, and pornography will not let go easily. Babylon does not give exit permits gladly. It is an ironic implementation of that ancient boast: ‘One soul shall not be lost.’ (Moses 4:1.) (Ensign, November 1988, p. 33. as taken from The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book, by Cory H. Maxwell, under heading for “Sin”)