“People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach. And the Savior stands as the finest example.” ( Elder David A. Bednar, “Be Honest,” New Era, Oct. 2005, 7)
Integrity is a wonderful character trait in any human being. People of integrity can be counted on when it comes to crunch time. People of integrity can be counted on to stand for what they believe in, regardless of the consequences. People of integrity cannot be swayed from what they know to be right. People of integrity make the best spouses, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and friends.
Every morning when I look in the mirror I often see a woman with a determined look in her eye, a somewhat tired looking face and her mind far ahead on the tasks of the day. As I conduct my business, both personal and professional, I don’t stop to think if I am acting as a person of integrity. But I do know that I want people to trust me when I say I’ll do something. I do know that I want my word to be solid gold. Wanting and doing are clearly two different things.
So, looking to the example of the Savior, as Elder Bednar has suggested, I can see much to pattern my own life after. He could not be tempted. He loved, irrevocably and completely. He served His Father without hesitation. Even in the Garden of Eden, when the full weight of the sin, grief, sorrow, illnesses and pains of all of Heavenly Father’s children fell on His shoulders and blood oozed from the pores of His skin, He still said, “Thy will be done.” He loved, respected and adored His mother. He judged no one, teaching one and all the gospel in its pure and unvarnished form. Yes, there is no question, when Jesus said “Come follow me,” those words were more than a simple invitation to walk with Him. They were an invitation be as He is to the best of our mortal abilities.
I accept that invitation.