Integrity

" Honesty and integrity as perfected virtues in parents are more likely to become the heritage and rich endowments of their children. Parents cannot give to their children that which they do not possess. All these fine ideals and principles that are a part of the gospel teachings, together with all the virtues that make for good character and good life, should be perfected in each of us. In that perfection they become a part of our nature, and when parenthood comes, these virtues are more apt to be transmitted to our children. We read in Proverbs: “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” How true and basic this statement is!"

     “Honesty and Integrity,” Delbert L. Stapley, Ensign, May 1971


"I have felt impressed to speak today about the need for integrity—old-fashioned, personal, practical integrity. To me, integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences. It means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant."

     “Personal Integrity,” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1990


"Integrity is not naiveté. What is naive is to suppose that we are not accountable to God."

     “Reflections on a Consecrated Life,” D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, Nov. 2010


"Integrity is fundamental to being men. Integrity means being truthful, but it also means accepting responsibility and honoring commitments and covenants."

     “Let Us Be Men,” D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, Nov. 2006


“Integrity is the quality or condition of being whole, complete, unbroken, and undivided. The word integrity is related to other words with the same root such as entire and integrate. These expressions share the notion of being intact, sound, uncorrupted, and perfect.”

     “Be Honest,” David A. Bednar, Devotional address given on September 10, 2002, at Brigham Young University–Idaho


“Cardiac surgeons speak of the heart in terms of its structural integrity. The word integrity is related to the word integer, which means “entire” or “whole.” Integrity may be defined as “unimpaired.” Integrity also means “incorruptible,” a firm adherence to a code of values. Integrity denotes a state of completeness. If any component of the heart loses its integrity, the heart is impaired and a vicious cycle ensues. An anatomical flaw leads to improper function, and improper function leads to further failure. Therefore, the ultimate objective of any cardiac operation is to restore structural integrity to the heart.”

     “Integrity of the Heart,” Russell M. Nelson, Devotional address given on February 23, 1993, at Brigham Young University


“A surgeon can repair or replace a mitral valve that has lost its integrity. But no surgical procedure can be performed for loss of spiritual integrity of heart. Such break down is under individual control.”

“Integrity of the Heart,” Russell M. Nelson, Devotional address given on February 23, 1993, at Brigham Young University


“Many want to shade a little, rather than to work hard for an honest living. Such practices must be put away, and this people must become sanctified in their affections to God, and learn to deal honestly, truly, and uprightly with one another in every respect, with all the integrity that fills the heart of an angel. They must learn to feel that they can trust all they possess with their brethren and sisters, saying, ‘All I have I entrust to you: keep it until I call for it.’ . . . That principle must prevail in the midst of this people: you must preserve your integrity to each other.”

     Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 6:47


“The bedrock of character is integrity.”

     “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character,” Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 2010


"Integrity is the value we set on ourselves. It is a fulfillment of the duty we owe ourselves. An honorable man or woman will personally commit to live up to certain self-imposed expectations. They need no outside check or control. They are honorable in their inner core.”

     “Integrity, The Mother of Many Virtues,” James E. Faust, Ensign, May, 1982

My Testimony

I learned from reading talks about integrity that, though closely related to honesty, it is different. Integrity is what the world really lacks. Someone with integrity doesn’t need something or someone to keep them in check, they are “honorable in their inner core,” they have a pure desire to do what is right no matter the consequence, even when no one else would ever know. Neither honesty or integrity is easy to achieve, but I think integrity is more difficult as there are not always visible measurements to judge it by. It is the essence of who we are, our character, and integrity drives us to be honest.