What is It Worth?

In the past few months, I've been tempted to be dishonest numerous times.  Normally, dishonesty would not be very much of a temptation to me, but in the past few months, I've been tempted through the medium of money... a material possession which is hard to come by these days.  

It was interesting to me that one of the speakers in the young women's general broadcast chose to speak on honesty.  Quoted from the thirteenth article of faith, "We believe in being HONEST!"  It's not a topic that is taught very often, but something which we were all taught from a young age.  At the time that I listened to the talk, I evaluated my life and realized that yes, there was something I needed to change (and repent of) so I could say I was living this commandment. 

I am the owner of a community discount card, which offers various discounts at stores in my area.  At one particular store, the discount is to receive $2.00 off a $20.00 purchase of groceries.  Well, last year, the deal was much sweeter... $5.00 off of $50.00 of groceries (which I typically top on my weekly trip to the grocery store.)  Over a number of weeks, I watched the cashiers consistently giving me $5.00 off of my purchase without looking closely to see that the amount of the discount had actually decreased with the new year. Somehow I felt like  this extra $3.00 off was not a big deal and I even verbally affirmed  that the coupon was $5 off of $50 a few times.  During the general conference broadcast, this instance was brought to my attention and I decided I would never be dishonest about the discount again.  The very next trip to the store, the cashier did as I thought he would, jump right into punching in -$5.00 when I showed him my discount card.  Ready with my response, I softly interjected, "Actually, it's only $2.00 off. The discount has been changed."  There was an old farmer standing behind me in line who commented, "Ya know.. there's not too many people in the world that would demonstrate such honesty anymore" and he nodded his head at me with a smile.  I was also thanked by the cashier for being honest and I left the store feeling so good!  The old guy was right, honesty must start with me if I want to live in an honest world.  I felt as though I had restored his faith in the decency of people.  More importantly, I could feel that my Father in Heaven was proud of me.  

The price of my integrity that day was $3.00.  Certainly, my integrity is worth $3.00! 

This experience was perhaps a stepping stone for another experience in which the price of my integrity would cost much more.  Joe and I have been looking over the past couple of months for a new/ used vehicle. On Saturday, we found one that we liked and I called the dealership to make an offer on it.  As we would be purchasing the vehicle in a different state than the one in which we live, the salesman faxed me the deposit form and contract so we could sign them.  When I received the fax, I was confused by the numbers indicated for the final price of the vehicle.  The total amount written was not the number that the salesman and I had agreed upon; in fact, the total was $953.00 less than what I had agreed to pay.  With the salesman's signature already on the document, all I had to do was sign it and send it back and I would save myself nearly $1,000. 

Of course, I couldn't do it.  I thought about the salesman and had compassion for his mistake on what seemed to be a very busy day at the dealership.  I thought about how that extra money might have to come out of his own paycheck and how that might affect his family.  I pictured his day turning into a nightmare as he noticed what he had done.  

I knew that the Lord would not want me to cheat this man.  As much as I could use that money, I knew it was more important to be HONEST.  I wanted to be honest with this man the way that I hope others would be honest with me.  So, I called the salesman and notified him of the error in the contract. The response that he gave me was much different than the cashier at the grocery store.  Rather than thanking me or showing any type of appreciation, he stammered and stuttered and abruptly stated, "I'll send you a new contract right away!"  And he hung up the phone.  Then, I was the one that felt cheated!!  I didn't have those nice feelings I expected to have from helping someone out in a major way.  He was not appreciative at all... or at least, he didn't express his appreciation to me! I was happy that I did what I knew I should have, but disappointed that the act received no thoughtfulness from the one it could have hurt the most.  

I think I relearned from this experience that we have to be true to our principles and the Lord's commandments whether we receive praises for keeping them or not.  I know that God was happy for my decision and I was certainly happy that I may live my life knowing that I am an honest person. It's not always easy to keep our principles; but I know that the Lord will bless those that remain faithful to his words.   

The price of my integrity on that day was $953.00.  Certainly, my integrity is worth $953.00.