Dear Sisters and Elders –
One of the most important attributes to develop as a disciple of Christ is integrity. At a recent mission president's seminar, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve commented, “We frequently emphasize exact obedience with missionaries, but we could spend more time teaching exact honesty.”
During our specialized training over the past two weeks, we watched an address given by Elder Tad R. Callister entitled, “Becoming Men and Women of Integrity.” He explains: “Integrity is a purity of mind and heart that knows no deception, no excuses, no rationalization, nor any coloring of the facts. It is an absolute honesty with one’s self, with God, and with our fellowman.”
So, how can we develop an absolute integrity and honesty with ourselves, with God, and with others? The following excerpts from Elder Callister’s talk are helpful:
Do not compromise your integrity for any price. “Does our integrity…have a purchase price…or is it priceless—not for sale at any price? … In the life to come, no doubt many will look back amidst uncontrollable sobs and repeat again and again, ‘Why did I trade my soul for…temporary physical pleasure or fame or a grade or the approval of my friends? Why did I sell my integrity for a price?’
“Integrity is the foundation of our character and all other virtues. … Integrity is the foundation upon which character and a Christlike life are built. If there are cracks in that foundation, then it will not support the weight of other Christlike attributes that must be built upon it.”
“Integrity is not doing just that which is legal but that which is moral or Christlike.”
There is a difference between character and behavior. “If someone only changes his behavior while a missionary, then, when he goes home, he will be the very same person he was when he left, subject to the same problems that plagued him before. But if someone changes his nature, he will go home a new man, with the power and discipline to conquer his old Goliaths.
“Our natures have changed when our inner motives and thoughts are consistent with our outward behavior. With the Lord’s help we can transform our natures. Changing our natures, not just our behaviors, is facilitated by an eternal perspective that we are the children of God, that we do have His spark of divinity within us, and that through the Atonement we can become like Him—the perfect model of integrity.”
“Integrity is disclosing the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” A missionary with integrity would say, “I don’t need any questions—I’ve made some mistakes, and I want to voluntarily disclose them. I want to be 100 percent honest.”
“Integrity knows no alibis or excuses. There is something ennobling about the man or woman who admits his or her weaknesses or takes the blame ‘square-on’ without excuse or alibi.”
“Integrity is the courage to do right regardless of the consequences and regardless of the inconvenience. … One of the acid tests of our integrity is whether or not we keep the commitments and promises we have made…”
“Integrity is not governed by the presence of others. It is internally, not externally, driven. ... We have a choice. We can either seize the moment and take control of our lives or become mere puppets to our environment and our peers…The man of integrity who is true to self and to God will choose the right whether or not anyone is looking because he is self-driven, not externally controlled.”
I invite each of us to renew our commitment to honesty and integrity. Please, study the quotes above. Review passages on integrity from the scriptures. Prayerfully identify ways that you can become more honest and have greater integrity. Repent, and then plead with the Lord for help in that area. As we become more honest, we become more like Christ; we will gain greater spiritual power, personal confidence, and inner peace.
Thank you for your honesty and integrity. May we declare, as Job, “Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me” (Job 27:5).
With much love,
President Pingree