Examples of Integrity in the Scriptures:
I was touched that Joseph knew that by defying Potipher's wife, he would be punished. However, he cared more about what God thought than what others thought. He suffered in prison for years before he was released. It would be difficult to not be bitter when in choosing the right--bad things happened. It is important to remember that we may not always see blessings immediately, but if we endure our trials with faith, then all things will work together for our good.
I liked how Esther chose to stand up for her people even when it could mean death. She too, chose to care more about doing the right, rather than caring about herself. She put the Gospel principles first in her life. It would be easy to be quiet. There are times in my life when I want to be quiet, but in order to be like Esther, I must stand for the right even when difficult.
Again, Daniel prayed even when it could mean death. The Lord blessed him, and saved him from the Lion's den; however, the Lord doesn't always save. Abinidi also did what was right, and he did perish. There are times when we must be willing to trust in the Lord's purposes no matter the cost.
Job never spoke against God even when he lost everything. He held to his FAITH in all things. I love the example of Job, because hard things happen to all of us in this life, and there is always the temptation that it is easier to simply give up. In Job's hardest moments he said, "God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live" (Job 27:6-7).
I like how Paul returned to God when he was called unto repentance. He testified to King Agrippa of his vision. Not only was he despised of the Jews (because of his persecution towards them prior to his conversion), but he spoke against his fellow brethren and then was despised of them as well. Paul was so persuasive that King Agrippa was almost persuaded. He testified no matter what the result. Even if it meant death.
Doctrine and Covenants 124:15 says, "...blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord." I think this is the key--loving what is right before God above all other things!
Joseph Smith History 1: 21-24: Joseph testified of his vision, and in response to his testimony, he was persecuted by all the sects of religion. An obscure boy caused the ridicule of elite men, which caused Joseph much sorrow. Despite his sorrow, he would not waiver from his testimony. He knew he had seen a vision, and no persecution could make it otherwise. Much like Paul could not deny his vision--Joseph could not.
I love how Joseph said, "Who am I that I can withstand God?" He knew that no matter what the world believed to be right, he could not deny what he knew to be right.
Each and every one of us have had those “moments” in our lives—those moments of decision. In a world where holiness is mocked, I have often reflected on the “how” of standing. And as I have pondered, my thoughts keep returning to “obedience”. The “how” of standing happens when we choose to be obedient. When we choose to read our scriptures and apply them to our lives, when we choose to follow the FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH…ultimately when we choose to keep the commandments despite the difficulties, and no matter the consequences. If I may I would like to illustrate with a personal experience from my own life. When I was in Junior High, I was asked to speak out against a young man who I had witnessed breaking the rules. I wasn’t alone in my decision to take a stand. Five of my girlfriends joined me as we met with the principal, and conveyed the experience. To our surprise, our testimonies against this young man were the cause of his expulsion from school. In an effort to protect us from social ridicule, our principal gave us an alibi. He placed us all in detention, and we were told to say that we had been caught sloughing, so as to hide from our peers our reason for not being in class. I remember feeling that I had made the right choice to speak out; however, I didn't feel at peace with the alibi given to me by the principal. In fact, as I started relaying the alibi to my peers—no one believed me. I had never sloughed before, and because of the way I conducted myself on a regular basis—no one seemed to believe our story. That night, with a heavy heart, I explained my situation to my father, and he counseled me to do a hard thing. He told me that it was right to take a stand, but just because I had done one right—didn't make it okay to cover it up with a wrong. Lying was still lying. He counseled me to pray about my decision, but he felt that I should be honest with my peers, and stand behind my original decision to take a stand. Telling the truth not only perjured myself, but all of the other girls who had also taken a stand—our alibi would no longer be an alibi. The next morning I apologized to each of them, and explained what I was about to do. Some of them begged me to change my mind, but I could not be swayed—I was resolute in my determination to do what was right. The months that followed were difficult ones for me. My family received phone calls in the middle of the night with threats, and profanity. I was talked about openly—even so I could hear the conversations in hallways and in the locker room. My peers would turn their back on me in the hall, and at times I felt as if I had some sort of disease. Ultimately, I felt very much alone. Even my best friend was angry with me. However, despite the challenges--the peace that I felt made it worth the trial. I knew that I had made the right choice, and I truly felt that Heavenly Father was with me. This experience solidified my heart and sealed my testimony of the power of obedience. I became something more. My classmates knew it—I knew it. After the anger and frustration had worn off, my peers treated me with a new level of respect. More important than their respect—however, was my new determination to be obedient—always—no matter the cost. Mosiah 2:41 states, “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2: 41). When we choose to keep the commandments, when we choose to stand on the Lord’s side, when we choose to stand in Holy Places—we are blessed and we set ourselves on the pathway of becoming all that our Father intended of us. We are molding and shaping our lives. Sister Dalton said, "Take a few minutes to envision where you want to be in one year or two or five. Then take action to prepare yourselves. People don't just run a marathon when they decide to do it. They must train daily, slowly building stamina and endurance to run the 26.2-mile distance. So it is with life. It is daily diligence…that will help you reach your goals. Your daily decisions will influence generations" (Elaine S. Dalton, "Press Forward and Be Steadfast," Ensign, May 2003, p.105).
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