Sunday Lesson: Sept 18th

We Believe in Being Honest, Chp. 18,  was our lesson for Sept. 18th. Most of us were surprised to find out how much more honest we can be after our discussion in class. The Lord admonishes us to be honest. Some common examples of dishonesty include stealing, cheating, violating the Word of Wisdom, and even violation of traffic ordinances. One of the 10 commandments is, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.' Pres. Hunter teaches us that, "Any untruth which tends to injure another in his goods, person, or character is against the spirit and letter of this law." If we covet something we are also being dishonest with ourselves. To covet means to desire, to long for, to crave that which belongs to another person. Pres. Hunter again teaches us: "The desire to acquire good things is not a violation, but the desire to take them away from another unlawfully is a wrong."

We cultivate honesty in the little, ordinary things of life. We must be honest in the little things, as well as the big. Just like a building which has to have a strong foundation, our character needs to have the same kind of foundation built upon the principle of honesty. There is no happiness in violation of the law, whether it be God's law or the laws of society.

We can serve God by being honest and fair in our personal and business dealings. Pres. Hunter reminds that the true principles of Christianity cannot be separate from business and our everyday affairs. What an amazing world we would be in if we were all 100% honest with one another. We would all "have perfect confidence in each other in personal and business dealings. There would not be ....distrust between labor and management. There would be integrity in public office and in government affairs, and nations would exist in peace rather than the turmoil we presently know in the world."

Integrity protects us from evil, helps us be successful, and will save our souls. We would all be better off if integrity were used and fully available to us. "It would make us successful here and save our souls hereafter." If we have integrity we are personally responsible to God in all we do. We can be protected by integrity by the temptations of evil that continually surround us.

True joy results from being honest with ourselves, with others, and with God. Pres. Hunter tells us that there are two great blessing from being honest; having the companionship of the Master and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost with us. If we violate the code of honesty, these blessings cannot be granted us. The Lord knows our innermost thoughts. He knows every deed we do. We need to do our best so that when we meet him someday we can be proud of our actions and know that we have done our best. "Blessed are they who are honest....Blessed are they who are obedient to the Lord."