The programs devised by men, without the light of the Lord, will not work. They never have. They are like straightening the deck chairs on the Titanic. What is the answer? It was given by the Prophet Joseph Smith when he was asked how he governed such a great and diverse people as the Latter-day Saints. He said, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.” (As quoted by John Taylor, Millennial Star 13:339.) The real answer is expanded missionary effort—teach more people more truth, and they will improve their own lives. Where the gospel is lived, error gives way to truth; idleness becomes productive service; hate and envy become love. Children become blessings; virtue becomes its own reward; and life becomes sacred, a probation to see if we will do “all things whatsoever the Lord God commands us.
Hartman Rector Jr., "The World’s Greatest Need", General Conference, October 1975
Todays world is in chaos....some places more than others. I listen to conference talks from the 70's and 80's and those talks would portray how bad and evil the world was then. Well, it's so much worse now and getting worse with passing time. Everything nowadays has a double standard. The world is so concerned about lifting someone up by tearing down another. This attitude leads to extreme selfishness and entitlement.
There's no longer an attitude of personal accomplishment or respect. Others "expect" to be handed an equal share without putting in an equal amount of work.
The gospel teaches us to love and serve others and to worry less about our own selves. But the gospel also teaches us to defend the truth and defend our families and freedom. The Lord will tell us which is needed and when. But we have to be in a position to hear Him.
We absolutely need to stay close to Him.