Let's start with what we learn about honesty from the scriptures. I want to hear from you girl too. What do you think these scriptures mean? What experiences have you had with being honest/dishonest?
Psalm 101:7; Proverbs 12:22; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 4:29;Alma 27:27; Articles of Faith 1:13 (Be honest and upright in all things)
Acts 5:1–10 (We cannot lie to the Lord)
2 Nephi 9:34; Alma 12:1-5 (Dishonesty is a sin with serious consequences)
Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25 (Joseph’s experience of being honest in the face of persecution)
Let's go ahead and define four words: dishonesty, cheating, stealing and lying (let's chat about all the different kinds of lying we can think of...).
Who has examples of these in their life? Let's talk about them in various situations (at home, school work, etc.)
(I'll use examples for all of these things, if need be, from my lesson in RS on honesty in 2011-found on this blog)
What are some of the negative outcomes of dishonesty? (again, examples on earlier blog post)
What about the negative outcomes for ourselves?
Thoughts-Actions-Habits-Character-Destiny
"The worst lies are the ones you tell yourself" (Dad, tell accompanying cop story)
"Practically all dishonesty owes its existence and growth to this inward distortion we call 'self-justification'." Elder Spencer W. Kimball
"It is the first, the worst and the most insidious and damaging form of cheating--to cheat onself"
So why do we let this happen? Excuses. What excuses have you heard?
If we are not honest with ourselves, we can not become closer to Christ (Faith circle, put on board).
Stories to use:
(Elder Robert C. Gay)
For some, there will come the temptation to dishonor a personal standard of honesty. In a business law class at the university I attended, I remember that one particular classmate never prepared for the class discussions. I thought to myself, “How is he going to pass the final examination?”
I discovered the answer when he came to the classroom for the final exam on a winter’s day wearing on his bare feet only a pair of sandals. I was surprised and watched him as the class began. All of our books had been placed upon the floor, as per the instruction. He slipped the sandals from his feet; and then, with toes that he had trained and had prepared with glycerin, he skillfully turned the pages of one of the books which he had placed on the floor, thereby viewing the answers to the examination questions.
He received one of the highest grades in that course on business law. But the day of reckoning came. Later, as he prepared to take his comprehensive exam, for the first time the dean of his particular discipline said, “This year I will depart from tradition and will conduct an oral, rather than a written, test.” Our favorite trained-toe expert found that he had his foot in his mouth on that occasion and failed the exam.
What blessings come from being honest? (Ask the girls, use the Strength of Youth Pamphlet)
"When you are honest, you build strength of character that will allow you to be of great service to God and others. You will be blessed with peace of mind and self-respect. You will be trusted by the Lord and will be worthy to enter into His holy temples...Being honest will enhance your future opportunities and your ability to be guided by the Holy Ghost. "
(I'll use examples for all of these things, if need be, from my lesson in RS on honesty in 2011-found on this blog)
What are some of the negative outcomes of dishonesty? (again, examples on earlier blog post)
What about the negative outcomes for ourselves?
Thoughts-Actions-Habits-Character-Destiny
"The worst lies are the ones you tell yourself" (Dad, tell accompanying cop story)
"Practically all dishonesty owes its existence and growth to this inward distortion we call 'self-justification'." Elder Spencer W. Kimball
"It is the first, the worst and the most insidious and damaging form of cheating--to cheat onself"
So why do we let this happen? Excuses. What excuses have you heard?
If we are not honest with ourselves, we can not become closer to Christ (Faith circle, put on board).
Stories to use:
(Elder Robert C. Gay)
This is a question that my father taught me to carefully consider years ago. As I was growing up, my parents assigned me chores around the house and paid me an allowance for that work. I often used that money, a little over 50 cents a week, to go to the movies. Back then a movie ticket cost 25 cents for an 11-year-old. This left me with 25 cents to spend on candy bars, which cost 5 cents apiece. A movie with five candy bars! It couldn’t get much better than that.
All was well until I turned 12. Standing in line one afternoon, I realized that the ticket price for a 12-year-old was 35 cents, and that meant two less candy bars. Not quite prepared to make that sacrifice, I reasoned to myself, “You look the same as you did a week ago.” I then stepped up and asked for the 25-cent ticket. The cashier did not blink, and I bought my regular five candy bars instead of three.
Elated by my accomplishment, I later rushed home to tell my dad about my big coup. As I poured out the details, he said nothing. When I finished, he simply looked at me and said, “Son, would you sell your soul for a nickel?” His words pierced my 12-year-old heart. It is a lesson I have never forgotten.
“I had stressed the need for honesty, explaining to my students that many times we don’t even know our integrity is being tested. …
“So my class should have been prepared for the snap quiz I gave them that Thursday afternoon. It was a twenty-question, true-or-false test covering material we had discussed during the week. They finished the test just as the bell rang for dismissal.
“Later that evening I very carefully graded each paper, recording the score in my grade book but leaving no marks on the papers.
“When the class assembled the next morning, I passed the papers back and, as usual, asked that each student grade his own paper. …
“‘Please count five off for each one missed and subtract the total from one hundred,’ I instructed. ‘Your scores please.’
“‘John?’
“ ’85.’
“‘Susan?’
“ ’95.’
“‘Harold?’
“ ’80.’
“‘Arnold?’
“ ’90.’
“‘Mary?’
“The response could hardly be heard: ’45.’
“I went on, putting the grades in my grade book, carefully recording each oral report next to the grade I had recorded the night before. The comparison was revealing.
“A stillness settled on the class when I explained what I had done. …
“‘This was a different kind of test. This test was a test for honesty. Were you true or false? I noticed that many of you looked at Mary when she announced her score of 45. Mary, if you don’t mind, would you please stand up? I want each of you to know that in my book Mary just achieved the highest score in the class. You make me feel very proud, Mary.’
“Mary looked up rather timidly at first, then her eyes glistened as she broke into a smile and rose to her feet. I had never seen Mary stand so tall.” (Wayne B. Lynn, “True … or … False,” New Era, Sept. 1978, p. 11.)
(President Monson)For some, there will come the temptation to dishonor a personal standard of honesty. In a business law class at the university I attended, I remember that one particular classmate never prepared for the class discussions. I thought to myself, “How is he going to pass the final examination?”
I discovered the answer when he came to the classroom for the final exam on a winter’s day wearing on his bare feet only a pair of sandals. I was surprised and watched him as the class began. All of our books had been placed upon the floor, as per the instruction. He slipped the sandals from his feet; and then, with toes that he had trained and had prepared with glycerin, he skillfully turned the pages of one of the books which he had placed on the floor, thereby viewing the answers to the examination questions.
He received one of the highest grades in that course on business law. But the day of reckoning came. Later, as he prepared to take his comprehensive exam, for the first time the dean of his particular discipline said, “This year I will depart from tradition and will conduct an oral, rather than a written, test.” Our favorite trained-toe expert found that he had his foot in his mouth on that occasion and failed the exam.
What blessings come from being honest? (Ask the girls, use the Strength of Youth Pamphlet)
"When you are honest, you build strength of character that will allow you to be of great service to God and others. You will be blessed with peace of mind and self-respect. You will be trusted by the Lord and will be worthy to enter into His holy temples...Being honest will enhance your future opportunities and your ability to be guided by the Holy Ghost. "
How can we prepare to overcome temptation to be dishonest BEFORE the occasion arises? (Show "Honestey-You Better Believe it!)
God commands that we be honest in all things. When we lie, cheat, or steal, we open ourselves wide to Satan’s influence and close ourselves to God’s influence. If we want to have the Spirit to guide and comfort us, we must be honest with God, with ourselves, and with other people.
:). Love it ❤
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