You Forgot To Look Up

Elder Marion D. Hanks (1921-2011) of the Seventy told of the man and his small son who “stopped at an isolated cornfield on a remote country road” and eyed the delicious corn beyond the fence. The father, after looking in front of him, behind him, to the left of him, and to the right of him, “started to climb the fence” to take some ears of corn. His son looked at him and said reproachfully, “Dad, you forgot to look up.”

Marion D. Hanks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1968, 116. 

Desire and Effort to Repent

 “I believe the Lord can live with our weaknesses and mistakes, provided we demonstrate a desire and effort to repent. That is what the Atonement is all about. But I do not believe He can easily tolerate a deceitful heart or a lying tongue.”

Tad R. Callister, “Integrity: Foundation of A Christlike Life,” Ensign, Feb 2013, 54. 

Cheating

 “One of the young women in our ward was taking a test at the local high school. As she looked up, she saw one of her friends cheating. Their eyes made contact. Embarrassed, the friend shrugged her shoulders and mouthed the words “I need the grade.” Somehow this young lady had lost her eternal vision—it is not grades but godhood that is our destination. What good does it do to be accepted to the most prestigious university but forfeit our exaltation in the process? Every time someone cheats, he trades his spiritual birthright for a mess of pottage (see Genesis 25:29-34). In his shortsightedness he has opted for a dollar today rather than infinite wealth in the life to come.”

Tad R. Callister, “Integrity: Foundation of A Christlike Life,” Ensign, Feb 2013, 53. 

Parenting

“Parents should always be honest with their children, keeping promises made to them and ever speaking the truth. It is the consistent parent who gains the trust of his child. When a child feels that you honor his trust and reciprocate it, he will not violate it, not will he bring your name into dishonor. . . .

“Parents should never quarrel in the presence of their children. Sometimes quarrels arise out of an attempt to correct or discipline a child. One parent criticizes; the other objects. And the unified influence of the home, so far as the child is concerned, is nullified. Parents need to be united in knowing which way they want a child to go; otherwise, he may walk in wrong paths out of confusion. Richard L. Evens said: “Division between parents is unfair and confusing and wakens the foundations of the family. Those to whom a child should look for guidance they give.””

Elder Delbert L. Stapley, “Teaching Righteousness at Home,” Ensign, Oct. 2012. 64-65. 

Honesty Guide

Elder Marvin J. Ashton has given us a guide by which we can determine whether something is honest. Simply ask yourself: “‘Is it right? Is it true?’ not ‘Is it expedient satisfactory, convenient, or profitable?’ ” Then follow your honest answer.

In Conference Report, Apr. 1982, p. 13; or Ensign, May 1982, p. 11

Honesty: True Joy

“We often speak of that scriptural reference, ‘Man is that he might have joy’. There is a joy that comes to one from being honest. Let me tell you how. By this means you can have the companionship of the Master and you can have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. Violations of the code of honesty will deprive you of these two great blessings….if we would have the companionship of the Master 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."

Howard W. Hunter