Recent events in business and politics have provided numerous
examples of how the temptation to be less than honest in our
dealings with others only leads to a path of sadness and
despair.
Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it.
~Emily Dickinson
If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.
~Mark Twain
Recent events in business and politics have provided numerous examples of how the temptation to be less than honest in our dealings with others only leads to a path of sadness and despair.
Becoming a person of integrity and honesty does not occur quickly or all at once, nor is it merely a matter of greater personal discipline. It is a change of disposition, a change of heart. And this gradual change of heart is one that the Lord accomplishes within us, through the power of His Spirit, in a line-upon-line fashion. For example, in Philippians 2:12, Paul encourages the followers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” But how are we to do that? Note the answer that follows in verse 13: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” That is, we give ourselves to the Lord and choose to be changed. He is working on us and in us.
As each of us look inward, the best test of our integrity and honesty is when we personally enforce in our own lives that which ultimately cannot be enforced. There are so many aspects of having integrity and of living an honest life that simply cannot be enforced in our lives by anyone else. Individually, we each bear the responsibility to become people of integrity and honesty–people who are true and trustworthy when no one is watching and when no one else is around.
People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach. And the Savior stands as the finest example. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). It is not just that our Savior showed us the way; He is the Way. It is not just that Christ made the resurrection available; He is the Resurrection (see John 11:25). And it is not just that Jesus of Nazareth restored the truth and taught the truth; He is the Truth.
Each time we board a plane we pay a premium so that our persons and our baggage may be searched in the interest of security. In the aggregate, this amounts to millions of dollars, all because of the frightening dishonesty of a few who by threat and blackmail would try to obtain that to which they are not entitled.
Padded insurance claims, padded expense accounts, bogus checks, forged documents–these are all symptomatic of an epidemic of unbelievable proportions. In most instances the amount involved individually is small, but in total it represents personal dishonesty on a much larger scale.
The thirteenth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affirms that “we believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men.”
Those who are living the principle of honesty know that the Lord does bless them. Theirs is the precious right to hold their heads in the sunlight of truth, unashamed before any man.
The Lord requires his followers to be honest. May we desire with all our hearts to be honest in all our relationships and in all the things that we do. God will help us if we seek the strength that comes from Him. Sweet then will be our peace of mind and our lives. Blessed will be those with whom we live and associate. And God will bless and guide us with his loving care.
Bishop Carl J. Woodland, Morgan Hill 2nd Ward; (408) 778-3589 or www.lds.org
