Character

What does integrity really mean to you? How do you know personally when you are displaying integrity?

An individual has integrity when they are acting in consistency with his or her own values and morals. I have integrity when I act consistently, even when no one is watching. For me, someone with integrity adheres to a code of moral values. In this church, this means that I can trust anyone that demonstrates integrity because they do adhere to the same code of moral values as myself. A person with integrity is honest.

I know I am displaying integrity when I have the Spirit with me in my life. The Spirit is only able to dwell with me when I am acting in accordance with the gospel, or acting with integrity. President James E. Faust suggested that "integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength of duty within us." I love this quote! I can feel strength in my life when I am acting with integrity. I guess this is how I really know. When I am acting with integrity, I feel joy and I know I can accomplish what I need to. Integrity in my life is a direct blessing of the gospel. I am so grateful for it.

Choose one of the development suggestions, or your own, to work on this week. What did you choose? Why? How did it go?

I chose to work on integrity this week. As defined in class, integrity is when I act in consistency with my values and morals. Integrity is what I do when no one is watching. When I think of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I think of perfect integrity. Christ never spoke poorly about anyone because he said he loves everyone. For this reason I decided to work on integrity this week. I want to be more like Jesus Christ.

Upon deciding that I wanted to work on integrity, I looked at the changes I could make in my life that would help me to act better in line with my values. I value hard work. This week, I decided to actually stick to my schedule and budget my time. I was able to get more done that normal, just by actually reserving the designated time to homework etc. I also want focus on serving the individuals. I spend a lot of time doing this in the BYUSA office, but this week, I wanted to have more integrity at home. I tried to do one small act of kindness for each of my roommates each day this week. I noticed that I love them more, and I feel better about myself when I'm actually doing what I said I would do. I am really grateful for the opportunity I've had to work on my integrity.

Think of someone you know who displays integrity regularly. What do they DO to demonstrate integrity? How does that impact you?

Mary Teichert is one of my heroes. She regularly displays integrity in her life. The following is a random list of things I have observed Mary do:
• Puts the Lord first
• Reads her scriptures often and is prepared to share her testimony
• Loves life
• Dances
• Looks for the good in people
• Listens to others
• Looks for random acts of service she can do
• Works extremely hard in the classroom
• Is a killer athlete
Each of these actions exhibit Mary's integrity because it shows that she is willing to work hard, and strive for excellence in her life. Mary has a value that lies beneath each of her actions and she always seems to act in accordance with her values.

Mary has impacted me in many ways. She makes me want to be better. I'm sure that is due in part to her integrity. I can always trust that Mary will be completely real and honest with me. It's the best!