Becoming Men and Women of Integrity ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

What is your definition and understanding of "Integrity"? What does "Integrity" means to a religious friend? What does "Integrity" means to a immediate family member?

This post focuses on a BYU Devotional in December 2011 and it is called, "Becoming Men and Women of Integrity" by Tad R. Callister. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. I hope that you would be able to learn something new while you are reading this post.

Elder Callister has mentioned the following;
"... Today I would like to speak about becoming men and women of integrity. It is this attribute that often defines the greatness of a man or a woman. ... 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. Even if God blinked or looked the other way for a moment, it would be choosing the right - not
merely because God desires it but because our character demands it.

Integrity is the very core of our being. It is who we really are. When all the scaffolding is removed, it is our integrity that both defines us and identifies us. ... Each of us might appropriately ask: Does our integrity, our honor, have a purchase price - a dime, a thousand dollars, the approval of our peers, some physical pleasure, or temporary recognition? Is there some point at which our integrity can be purchased? Or is it priceless - not for sale at
any price?

For a few moments I would like to address seven principles of integrity that I hope will inspire us to make this Christlike attribute a fundamental character trait in our personal lives.

First: Integrity is the foundation of our character and all other virtues. ... Integrity is the foundation upon which character and a Christlike life are built. ... How can we be humble if we lack the integrity to acknowledge our
own weaknesses? How can we develop charity for others if we are not totally honest in our dealings with them? How can we repent and be clean if we only partially disclose the truth to our bishop?  ...

"Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions
based on values rather than personal gain."

Second: Integrity is not doing just that which is legal but that which is moral or Christlike. It may be legal to have premarital relationships, it may be legal to commit adultery, it may be legal to gossip, but none of those actions is moral or Christlike. Integrity is not just adherence to the legal code; it is adherence to the higher moral code. ...

Every young man on this campus has the moral duty to protect and preserve the virtue of his date, and every young woman has the reciprocal moral duty for her date. It is a test of his or her integrity. The man or woman who is striving for integrity will develop a resolve and a discipline that transcend even the powerful passions of physical emotions. 

It is that integrity to God and to self and to others that sustains them and empowers them even when Satan unleashes his arsenal of moral temptations upon them. ... God is counting on you to be that generation. 

... Third: Integrity makes decisions based on eternal implications. ... In loving-kindness the Lord gave us this warning: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The man of the world has his heart focused upon his temporal net worth. The man of integrity has his heart focused upon his spiritual net worth. No doubt there will be a lot of millionaires, even billionaires, who in the life to come will find themselves spiritually bankrupt and a lot of goodly Saints who with meager net worths will become spiritual billionaires discovering that integrity has been the wisest investment of all. Those with integrity have that eternal foresight.

A disappointed father once told me that his teenage daughter wanted to “live it up” and then three months before her intended marriage clean up her act so she could receive a temple recommend. I do not know of any stake president who would give a recommend under such circumstances. But even if it were given, it would be a curse, not a blessing. Integrity is not shortsighted - It is not just a temporary change of behavior; it is a permanent change of nature."

Stay Tuned until next time.