Thought: Be honest with yourself, others, and God at all times. Being honest means choosing not to lie, steal, cheat, or deceive in any way. 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. (For the Strength of Youth: Honesty and Integrity)
Object Lesson: Get an empty soda bottle. Put it on the table with the lid on it. Have someone come up and try to smash it. Tell them that they can hit it all they want, drop it, etc. and the soda bottle remains intact. Then take the lid off. Have someone come up and try to smash it. It smashes easily. Tell them that the lid is like honesty. It's such a small thing, but when it's fixed tightly, it helps you to withstand the trials that you may face. (Staying Firm)
Video: Honesty: You Better Believe It!
Lesson Activity:
For young children consider this from The Friend:
I Believe in Being Honest
The Book of Mormon tells us about a special group of people who were honest and true to their faith. They were Lamanites who heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, had faith in Him, repented of their sins, and were baptized members of His Church. They called themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Because they learned that it was wrong to fight, they buried their weapons of war in the ground and made a covenant with Heavenly Father that they “never would use weapons again” (Alma 24:18). They kept this covenant and all the commandments so faithfully that they were known for being “perfectly honest and upright in all things” (Alma 27:27).
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies taught their children to be honest. They wanted their sons and daughters to be true to the gospel and righteous in their dealings with each other and with Heavenly Father. Because the example of their parents was so great, the children wanted to be just as honest and just as true to the gospel themselves.
The Book of Mormon says this about the boys when they grew up: “And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted” (Alma 53:20).
These young Anti-Nephi-Lehies became famous as “Helaman’s stripling warriors.” (See Ensign, May 1987, page 16.) Because of their honesty and their spiritual strength, they were a great help to their people.
You can be like the army of Helaman. You can follow the example of the righteous Lamanites and be honest and true.
Read to the your family the story about a man stealing corn in Ann M. Dibb’s talk “I Believe in Being Honest and True.” Stop reading just before the little boy says, “Father, there is one way you haven’t looked yet!” Ask them what the little boy might say to his father. Then read his comment. Ask them to discuss choices they face in which they must choose to be honest.
This Week's Challenge: Remind your family of the stories of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi people and the little boy. Challenge them to behave in a way where it could be said of them that they are "perfectly honest and upright in all things." Remind them not to forget that even if it seems like no one is watching, Heavenly Father is always watching us.
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