ToPotC – Chapter 18 (Being Honest)

[Anonymous]

Chapter 18: We Believe in Being Honest

I’ll start off with some honesty. I’ve put posting about this lesson off for a while now because nothing about it really leapt out at me. Not that I think honesty isn’t important, it’s more along the lines of “how much can you say about being honest?”

Without further ado,

Being Honest: Building Buildings and Driving Cars

I liked the example of the licorice but I thought the second example created room for discussion.

Quote:

“What I know about honesty and integrity has come in large measure by what people have told me about my father,” Richard Hunter said. One time Richard went with his father to a business meeting where a complex project was being discussed. While outside for a break, Richard and one of the men were talking about the meeting. Richard said there would probably be a long wait to begin the project because it would require an immense amount of legal paperwork. The man corrected Richard, telling him the project could proceed before the paperwork was finalized because the people knew that Howard W. Hunter would do whatever he said he would do.

The example certainly speaks to Hunter’s integrity but in my experience when you’re dealing with complex problems in the business world you wait for the ink to dry on the contract. I could see someone trying to out honest someone else by saying that a more honest approach would be to respond, “I know you’re anxious to get started on the project and that you fully trust my father but it is still our responsibility to wait until the legal paperwork has been completed.” Being completely honest in the business world often translates into adhering to all the bureaucratic rules. Nits, I pick them… so does the boss.

1. The Lord admonishes us to be honest.

[Anonymous]

2. We cultivate honesty in the little, ordinary things of life.

Quote:

A structure may tower to the sky, and we may look at it with awe because of its stature and great height; yet it cannot stand unless its foundation is anchored in rock or in steel and concrete.

And no one will ever know whether construction started before the ink on the contract was dry.

This is my favorite quote of the lesson:

Quote:

[Many] 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.

And my other favorite quote for different reasons:

Quote:

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. …

I recall a young man who was in our stake when I served as a stake president. He traveled around with a crowd that thought it was smart to do things that were not right. On a few occasions he was caught in some minor violations. One day I got a call from the police station and was told he was being held because of a traffic violation. He had been caught speeding, as he had on a few other occasions prior to this time. Knowing the things he was doing might prevent him from going on a mission, he straightened up, and when he was 19 years of age, he received his call.

I shall never forget the talk we had when he returned. He told me that while he was in the mission field he had often thought of the trouble he had caused by the mistaken belief that the violation of little things was not important. But a great change had come into his life. He had come to the realization that there is no happiness or pleasure in violation of the law, whether it be God’s law or the laws that society imposes upon us.

“Imposes.” Tipping your hand there? I don’t know about you but I think the worst thing about being pulled over for speeding is knowing that the cops are going to tattle on me to my stake president.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/fO0ZSRH.png[/img]

“Starbucks” ma’am? We’re bringing you in and I’m going to have to report this to your Stake President.

.

[Anonymous]

3. We can serve God by being honest and fair in our personal and business dealings.

Quote:

Religion can be part of our daily work, our business, our buying and selling, building, transportation, manufacturing, our trade or profession, or of anything we do. We can serve God by honesty and fair dealing in our business transactions in the same way we do in Sunday worship. The true principles of Christianity cannot be separate and apart from business and our everyday affairs.

Like when you want to build a building and the ink on the contract… 😳 okay, I’ll be quiet now.

4. Integrity protects us from evil, helps us be successful, and will save our souls.

5. True joy results from being honest with ourselves, with others, and with God.

Quote:

There is a joy that comes to one from being honest.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/DNAhB3s.png[/img]

Your lesson was terrible. Wow, you know what? I do feel better!

Quote:

… We should always remember that we are never alone. There is no act that is not observed; there is no word spoken that is not heard; there is no thought conceived in the mind of man that is not known to God. There is no darkness that can conceal the things we do. We must think before we act.

Do you think you can be alone when you commit a dishonest act? Do you think you can be unobserved when you cheat in an examination, even though you are the only person in the room? We must be honest with ourselves. 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.

Ceiling god is watching you _________. Fear of god watching isn’t the best motivation for being honest but I suppose it’s a start.

I phoned it in, just being honest.

[Anonymous]

I believe this lesson was just given and my wife said they spent most of the lesson talking about if it is wrong to taste a grape before buying the bunch.

Do you steal one grape and feel ok about it? Is that dishonest?

[Anonymous]

I don’t do it but I already know what grapes taste like so I’m not the best person to talk to.

[Anonymous]

I don’t like sour grapes, so I do sometimes have a taste. I don’t feel bad about it. However, I once saw a store employee chew somebody out for taking a taste.

This one is next month for us but I’m looking forward to the nap already.

[Anonymous]

Heber13 wrote:

Do you steal one grape and feel ok about it? Is that dishonest?

I personally do not have a significant appreciation for being 100% honest in all circumstances.

I figure that this is an area where when we look at it closely is always gray.

Quote:

Stealing – is stealing food to survive dishonest? Probably, but probably not as bad as some alternative.

What if you accidentally take a pen home from work. Is that stealing?

Quote:

• Cheating – like getting a head start on a project before the legal paperwork is done? I kid, I kid.

What about seeking an advantage or competitive edge? How close are we allowed to come to the line without it being cheating? Private tutoring and coaching? plastic surgery?

Quote:

• Violations of Word of Wisdom standards – I think this one is mentioned to underscore the importance of keeping promises we make to ourselves.

What about cheating on your diet or failing to live up to a New Year’s resolution?

Quote:

• Violation of traffic ordinances – “One cannot be basically honest and violate laws formulated by society and government for the welfare of other persons.”

What about ordinances about keeping a well kept lawn or not having overgrown shrubs? What about noise ordinances and barking dogs? What about obscure laws that nobody knows about and are never enforced? Is it dishonest if I ignore some of those rules?

Basically, I boil this lesson down to two principles:

1) be honest

2) apply common sense/personal judgment as to how honest to be in the given situation.

[Anonymous]

There is no commandment in the scriptures to tell the whole truth in every situation, nor is there any commandment to disclose everything you feel or beleive if asked. Most people don’t realize that, but it’s true.

There are lots of statements about not lying, but I am fine with lies in some situations – and I believe firmly in creative honesty. I also have no problem saying that in a church meeting.

[Anonymous]

Old Timer wrote:

I believe firmly in creative honesty.

:clap:

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