Integrity: A Christlike Attribute
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to have integrity?
- How did Jesus Christ exemplify integrity?
- Why is integrity increasingly important in the world we live in?
- How does integrity relate to being true to God, to others, and to our divine identity?
- What are some practical ways to develop and demonstrate integrity?
Topics
Understanding the Attribute of Integrity
Elder Gerard defines integrity as being true to God, to each other, and to our divine identity. It flows from the first great commandment to love God. It means we do not lower our standards or behavior to impress or to be accepted by others.
As the Only Begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ had power over death, pain, and suffering but did not shrink. He fulfilled the covenant He had made with His Father and, in doing so, manifested a Christlike attribute increasingly important in the world in which we live—the attribute of integrity.
Integrity means we do not lower our standards or behavior to impress or to be accepted by others.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "Integrity" is our "willingness and ability to live by our beliefs and commitments."
- What does it mean to have integrity?
- How did Jesus Christ exemplify integrity?
- Why is integrity described as being increasingly important in the world we live in?
- How can you demonstrate integrity in your daily life?
- Can you think of a time when you chose to maintain your integrity, even when it was difficult?
Being True to God
Elder Gerard emphasizes the importance of being true to God as a key aspect of integrity. He uses the story of Daniel in the lions" den as an example of this principle. He also explains that the oppositional pull of the world is a measure of our integrity.
A life of integrity requires us to first and foremost be true to God.
The king came to know God through Daniel’s integrity. Others see God through ours—words and deeds. Just like Daniel, being true to God will increasingly set us apart from the world.
The oppositional pull of this world is an essential part of God’s plan of salvation. How we respond to the pull is the essence of who we are—a measure of our integrity.
- What does it mean to be true to God?
- How does being true to God relate to integrity?
- How does the story of Daniel in the lions" den illustrate this principle?
- How can you be more true to God in your daily life?
- Can you think of a time when you chose to be true to God, despite opposition or temptation?
Being True to Others
Elder Gerard discusses the importance of being true to others as an aspect of integrity. He explains that our actions should be consistent with our words and we should strive to be beyond reproach and aligned with the standards the Lord has set.
Just as integrity flows from the first great commandment to love God, being true to each other flows from the second, to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Saying we have integrity is insufficient if our actions are inconsistent with our words.
As a covenant people, and as leaders of His Church, we must be beyond reproach and aligned with the standards the Lord has set.
- What does it mean to be true to others?
- How does being true to others relate to integrity?
- Why is it important that our actions are consistent with our words?
- How can you be more true to others in your daily life?
- Can you think of a time when you chose to be true to others, even when it was difficult?
Being True to Our Divine Identity
Elder Gerard emphasizes the importance of being true to our divine identity as a key aspect of integrity. He uses the examples of the anti-Christ Korihor and the Prophet Joseph Smith to illustrate the consequences of being true or not being true to our divine identity.
Finally, a life of integrity requires us to be true to our divine identity.
We know some who were not. Of particular significance is the anti-Christ Korihor, who led away the hearts of many, appealing to their "carnal mind." Yet, in the final moments of his life, he confessed, "I always knew that there was a God."
In contrast, the Prophet Joseph Smith confidently proclaimed, "I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it."
- What does it mean to be true to our divine identity?
- How does being true to our divine identity relate to integrity?
- How do the examples of Korihor and Joseph Smith illustrate this principle?
- How can you be more true to your divine identity in your daily life?
- Can you think of a time when you chose to be true to your divine identity, even when it was difficult?
