Honesty is a virtue that is vanishing from our society.
Television commercials often portray dishonesty as cute and funny. People in
public office regularly attempt to deceive the electorate to gain a political
advantage. In fact, dishonesty in politics is so rampant that it isn’t uncommon
to hear someone say of a public figure, “How can you tell when they are lying?
When their lips move.” It is a tragedy. And it need not be so.
How do we define lying? I like the following definition: “A
lie is any communication with the intent to deceive others” (James C. Hunter, The Servant: A Simple Story About the True
Essence of Leadership, 118). Hence, even if a statement is true but is
given in a way to mislead others, for example, by leaving out essential
contextual information, it is still a lie.
Lying has become so common that those who do so occasionally
preface something they say with, “I’ll have to be honest…” Why should it be
necessary for an honest person to use such a phrase? Honesty should be a given,
and yet sadly it is not.
I must add that the preface, “To be honest…” has become so
common that even inherently honest people occasionally use it. When they do so,
I’m sure they actually mean, “To be completely open…”, or “To be blunt…” or
something similar.
Why is honesty so important? Honesty is a prerequisite to trust. It is hard to trust someone who isn’t honest. When such a person makes a commitment, it is difficult if not impossible to be sure they really intend to live up to it. How can one have confidence in another if there is a lingering uncertainty about their integrity? If a person tells a lie in one circumstance, what circumstances will trigger another lie?
It has been said that, “It is better to be trusted than to be loved.” Why is this statement true? Trust is something that must be earned. On the other hand, we are each commanded to love all men (see Matthew 22:39).
In addition to the temporal consequences of lying, there are also eternal consequences. As Nephi taught: “Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell” (2 Nephi 9:34). This sounds pretty harsh! Why is lying such a serious offense in the eyes of God? Because someone who is dishonest has distanced themselves from the mercy of a loving Savior. Someone who refuses to be honest about a sin cannot repent and therefore cannot be forgiven.
May we all resolve this day, if we haven’t done so already, to be honest—no matter the personal cost. May we do so quickly lest we become as Pilate, who said to Jesus Christ, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
Honesty starts at a personal level. We must first and foremost be honest with ourselves, admitting our faults and need for repentance. We must not let excuses get in the way. Excuses only make us weak. They keep us from making needed changes to strengthen our character. When we frankly face our faults, we will position ourselves to be honest with and trusted by others. As Shakespeare put it, "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man" (William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82).”
The rewards for honesty extend beyond the trust we gain with our fellow man. Such rewards are eternal, as expressed by the Psalmist:
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:4-5)
It has been said that, “It is better to be trusted than to be loved.” Why is this statement true? Trust is something that must be earned. On the other hand, we are each commanded to love all men (see Matthew 22:39).
In addition to the temporal consequences of lying, there are also eternal consequences. As Nephi taught: “Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell” (2 Nephi 9:34). This sounds pretty harsh! Why is lying such a serious offense in the eyes of God? Because someone who is dishonest has distanced themselves from the mercy of a loving Savior. Someone who refuses to be honest about a sin cannot repent and therefore cannot be forgiven.
May we all resolve this day, if we haven’t done so already, to be honest—no matter the personal cost. May we do so quickly lest we become as Pilate, who said to Jesus Christ, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
Honesty starts at a personal level. We must first and foremost be honest with ourselves, admitting our faults and need for repentance. We must not let excuses get in the way. Excuses only make us weak. They keep us from making needed changes to strengthen our character. When we frankly face our faults, we will position ourselves to be honest with and trusted by others. As Shakespeare put it, "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man" (William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82).”
The rewards for honesty extend beyond the trust we gain with our fellow man. Such rewards are eternal, as expressed by the Psalmist:
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:4-5)
As you seek peace in your daily life, I commend to you reading daily in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully reading this divine book will draw you nearer to Jesus Christ than any other book. As a companion scripture to the Bible, it will bring you peace and a nearness to the Savior that will bless your daily life with strength through trial and peace in troubled times.
You can read the Book of Mormon online at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/title-page?lang=eng
To receive a free physical copy go to: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon
Here is a link to the Book of Mormon app on iOS and Android: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/mobile-applications/book-of-mormon-app?lang=eng
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