Good Moring brother and sisters, Essays - Conscience, Personality

Good Moring brother and sisters, I was asked by Brother Larkin to speak on the 13 th article of faith . I found a talk from the October 2013 general conference by Ann m. Dibb. The thirteenth article of faith is a guide for righteous . Imagine for a moment what our world would be like if everyone chose to live by the teachings found in the thirteenth article of faith: "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 PaulWe 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." Today I would like to focus on two closely related principles in the thirteenth article of faith that definitely help "keep us safe and on cours e." I have a strong testimony and commitment to the important principles of being honest and being true. First , "believe in being honest." What does it mean to be honest? The booklet " True to the Faith " teaches, "To be honest means to be sincere, truthful, and without deceit at all times." 2 It is a commandment from God to be honest, 3 and "complete honesty is necessary for our salvation." 4 President Howard W. Hunter taught that we must be willing to be strictly honest. He said: "Several years ago there were posters in the foyers and entries of our chapels that were entitled Be Honest with Yourself.' Most of them pertained to the little, ordinary things of life. This is where the principle of honesty is cultivated. "There are some who will admit it is morally wrong to be dishonest in big things yet believe it is excusable if those things are of lesser importance. Is there really any difference between dishonesty involving a thousand dollars or that which involves only a dime? Are there really degrees of dishonesty, depending upon whether or not the subject is great or small?" President Hunter continues: "If we would have the companionship of our Heavily Father and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, we must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and with our fellowmen. This results in true joy." 5 When we are honest in all things, big and small, we experience peace of mind and a clear conscience. Our relationships are enriched because they are based on trust. And the greatest blessing that comes from being honest is that we are able to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I would like to share a simple story that has strengthened my commitment to be honest in all things: "A man went one evening to steal corn from a neighbor's field. He took his little boy with him to sit on the fen ce and keep a look-out, so he could give warning in case anyone should come along. The man jumped over the fence with a large bag on his arm, and before commencing to take the corn he looked all around, first one way and then the other, and not seeing any person, he was just about to fill his bag. [The boy then called out]: "Father, there is one way you haven't looked yet! You forgot to look up.'" 6 When we are tempted to be dishonest, and this temptation comes to all of us, we may suppose that no one will ever know. This story reminds us that our Heavenly Father always knows, and we are ultimately accountable to Him. This knowledge helps me continually strive to live up to this commitment: "believe in being honest." The second principle taught in the thirteenth a rticle of faith is "believe in being true." The dictionary defines the word true as being "steadfast," "loyal," "accurate," or "without deviation." 7 Being true to our beliefseven when doing so isn't popular, easy, or funkeeps us safely on the path that leads to eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Being true also allows us to have a positive effect on the lives of others . I've