I get tired of seeing liars and hypocrites seem to get away
with what they do and even earn praise and popularity from others. This world
just seems to get worse and worse, but I need to focus on the positive things
and the good examples I know.
I need to just remember the law of the harvest and know that
what they reap, they will sow someday. And someday I will be rewarded for my
plodding along, day after day, holding fast to the iron rod and ignoring the
chances presented to let go and to live opposite to everything I am and
believe.
I think that for those of us who do not stray, it is not
because we aren’t surrounded by the same sorts of chances to do wrong, but
because in our hearts and the core of our beings we are disciples of Christ. In
order to remain strong, we must become a better person, not just practice
better behavior. We will ultimately be judged by who we have become, not just
what we have done.
People can do the right thing because of fear of guilt or
fear of getting caught. But they have not become a better person for doing the
right thing. And they will not be rewarded the same.
"People
of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they
preach. And the Savior stands as the finest example."
Elder David A. Bednar, "Be Honest," New
Era, Oct. 2005, 7
“In contrast to the institutions of the world,
which teach us to know
something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to
Become,” Ensign, November 2000,
32
A couple of weeks ago, I asked Sabrina if she remembered what integrity
meant. I really liked her answer and have been thinking a lot about it. She
said, “Integrity is doing what is right when no one is looking because it’s
what you want to do.”
There are so many people who pretend to be one type of
person in front of others, but when they think others aren’t looking, they do
what they really want to do in their hearts---steal, lie, commit adultery… And
there are others who have no desire to do any of those things even if they wouldn’t
get caught or somehow not feel guilty. Those are the people who have integrity
and would not give away their eternal blessings for temporary, fleeting
rewards.
I recently watched Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s talk Personal Integrity
and a certain word he used to describe integrity stood out to me. “Incorruptible”
Oh, how the incorruptible people shine with the Savior’s light. Have you ever
seen someone who you know is hiding something from others or living in a way
contrary to what they say they believe? They are the corruptible, corrupted
people and you can see the lack of light. I have seen it. Following are some quotes from his talk.
"To me, integrity means always doing what is right and good,
regardless of the immediate consequences. It means being righteous from the
very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our
thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and
incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant.
"…many today trade away their integrity for a very small price
tag. A person who shoplifts for a candy bar, or makeup, or jewelry trades
priceless integrity for a meager gain. A person who falsifies a tax return by
not reporting income or claiming invalid deductions compromises valued
integrity for a pittance of unpaid income tax. One who avoids paying bills
promptly for goods or services received exchanges cherished integrity for a
perceived temporary advantage. Husbands or wives who are unfaithful to their
spouses trade their prized integrity for a fleeting moment of mirth. Integrity
is so precious that it is beyond price; it is invaluable.
"Joseph’s integrity placed him among the greatest of our Heavenly
Father’s sons. He did what was right and good; he was trustworthy and
incorruptible, self-disciplined never to violate a trust.
"Because of
his integrity and righteousness, Joseph was favored and blessed of the Lord in
every circumstance. His life is evidence that “all things work together for
good to [those who] love God.” (Rom. 8:28.)
“A man’s true greatness is not in what he says he is, nor in
what people say he is; [but really] in what he really is.' (Hartshorn, p. 38.)"
President James E. Faust also used the same word that I now like to describe
integrity in his talk Integrity, the Mother of Many Virtues
"The dictionary defines integrity as a firm adherence to a
code of moral values (see Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). It
connotes soundness and incorruptibility. It is the mother of many virtues.
Complete and constant integrity is a great law of human conduct. There need to be some absolutes in life. There are some things that should not ever be done, some lines that should never be crossed, vows that should never be broken, words that should never be spoken, and thoughts that should never be entertained."
The world teaches the exact opposite of that last paragraph, teaching that anything goes, there should be no rules to hold us down and no vows that can't be easily broken.
There are many blessings for having integrity, some of which
come soon (like peace and the presence of the Holy Ghost) and others that come
later, even in the next life. How could anything be worth throwing away those
blessings away forever? Are those people who have no integrity trustworthy or
respectable?
…till I die I will not remove mine integrity from
me.
Job 27:5
