Speaking in Church today..

The 13th article provides a special insight into how we should conduct our lives and present ourselves before the peoples of the earth. It reads: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." This is an inspiring description of good people, God-fearing people, people committed to deal justly with mankind! Elder David B. Haight said that these would be the type of people who could “raise up a nation and help it survive, and the kind of people to comprehend the true gospel of Jesus Christ with the needed faith to proclaim it to the inhabitants of the earth.” Today, we will discuss how we can become these “inspiring…God-fearing people” through these virtues. All of the virtues are intertwined with one another.

Public virtue, which expects men to rise above self-interest and to act in the public interest with wisdom and courage, was so evident in leaders of the past. Examples of such virtue could be found in George Washington. We used to declare that he could never tell a lie. Abraham Lincoln was known as “Honest Abe.” In the past few years we have seen official after official, both on the national and the local political scene, put self-interest above the larger public interest. Some adults have been led astray by longings for luxury. The devastation that comes to the families and “loved ones of those convicted of crimes such as stealing, fraud, misrepresentation, child abuse, sexual transgression, or other serious crimes is immeasurable. So many sorrows, heartaches, and even broken homes result from a false belief that people can set their own rules and do what they want to do as long as they don’t get caught.” Individuals may deceive and even go undetected or unpunished, but they will not escape the judgments of a just God. No man can disobey the word of God and not suffer for so doing. No sin, however secret, can escape retribution and the judgment that follows such transgression. Mark E. Peterson declared: “There is only one cure for the evils of this world, … and that is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and … obedience to [His] commandments.”
We all need to know what it means to be honest. Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving. We are all under great pressure to learn the technology that is expanding and will continue to expand so rapidly. However, the tremendous push to excel in secular learning sometimes tempts us to compromise that which is more important -- their honesty and integrity. When we enter the world, a world of deceit and lies, we are being held to a higher standard. We are expected to keep our integrity and be honest. Some of us may enter a competitive graduate program or have tough classes this semester. Someone may have a tough English course requiring a huge analytical paper due at the end. There may be an individual in a difficult Anatomy/Physiology course. Temptations may rise where the adversary may encourage us to maybe copy someone’s answer for that tough Anat/Phys exam. He may tempt us to plagiarize that English paper. “Honesty is not the best policy, it is the only policy!”

In a past address, President Gordon B. Hinckley issued both an invitation and a challenge: "I invite you to walk the path of faith with me. I challenge you to stand for that which is right and true and good.” As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are we rising to his challenge "to stand for that which is right and true and good?” Are we true to the faith? We believe in being true. Standing for truth and light is what builds our ability to keep the commandments. Gives us the strength to be benevolent, virtuous, giving service to others and further build up the kingdom of God. Be loyal to the gospel and we become better individuals. We are blessed for our obedience and faith. Be true to the faith and be blessed. Be benevolent in actions. Love to serve others. Have a desire to serve roommates. If there is a difficult roommate, learn to serve them. Let them know that you don’t mind serving them. Express kind feelings or generous acts daily. Soon, this will become second nature and a part of who we are. Giving a warm, friendly smile on campus can be an act of service. Don’t do these things with an expectation of being recognized. Do so with an attitude of love and service. Blessings will be bestowed upon our heads and our lives will greatly benefit from being benevolent.

Living the law of chastity helps benefit everyone. Alma talks to his son Corianton after his issue with the harlot, Isabel. Alma states in Alma 39:5 that “these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost.” He is explaining that being chaste is extremely important in the eyes of the Lord. Breaking this law is almost as bad as denying the Holy Ghost once receiving it. Going back to the thought that we “only hurt ourselves” is a total lie. We hurt ourselves, the person we were with, their families, our own families, leaders and everyone who knows we are members of the church. When we make poor choices, we aren’t smearing our own name but the name of the church. A poor example has been given. Alma 39:11 states, “O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.” We now have led others to believe that we do not stand for truth or care for our own standards. We lose the spirit and must then repent. Bringing someone down with us is not “doing good to all men.” We not only brought ourselves down but dragged someone else down as well. Standards have fallen.

“For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; … and … inviteth … all to come unto him and partake of his goodness” (2 Ne. 26:32–33). “The time is now to rededicate our lives to eternal ideals and values, to make those changes that we may need to make in our own lives and conduct to conform to the Savior’s teachings. From the beginning to the end of His ministry, Jesus asked His followers to adopt new, higher standards in contrast to their former ways,” Elder David B. Haight said. As believers, they were to live by a spiritual and moral code that would separate them not only from the rest of the world but also even from some of their traditions. He asks nothing less of those who follow Him today. Do we really believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, and virtuous? I would challenge us all this semester to work on one or two or all of these virtues. If someone is already working on these virtues, strive to be better. If someone isn’t working on any of these virtues now, maybe working on a few can jump-start him or her into standing for truth. Let us all work on gaining or bettering these virtues in our lives. On this test may hinge the survival of our society and our eternal salvation. I challenge us this semester to work on these virtues.