I was on a small
plane flying from St. Anthony, Idaho to Pinedale, Wyoming this past April
during the week break in between semesters. The aircraft we were flying on is
capable of reaching altitudes beyond 15,000 feet thanks to a turbo-charged
engine, which is probably a good thing because there were mountains and rugged
terrain to stay clear of on this flight. This particular aircraft has some
history though. You see two years prior to my flight, this aircraft was
involved in a landing incident where its retractable landing gears collapsed
upon touch-down.
Here’s a little
more background information: Depending on the aircraft-type, all airplanes are
required by FAA regulations to go under a rather scrutinizing inspection called
the annual-inspections after achieving a certain number of flight hours. This aircraft
recently had its annual-inspection prior to this incident. It was during that
inspection that a metal rod about two feet long in length designed to handle
the stresses of a landing aircraft was discovered to have hairline cracks
visible only under an electron microscope. The mechanic contracted to replace
the needed parts rationalized that this metal rod was still good and did not replace it despite instructions clearly stating the
need for replacement. Just like that, the landing gear system of the aircraft
was compromised. It was only a matter of time after a number of landings that
this metal rod would fail, causing the incident, damaging the aircraft, putting
lives at risk, not to mention a financial headache for the owner to get
additional repairs that weren’t previously necessary done. The incident was
preventable.
There is a
reason why air travel is considered the safest mode of transportation in most
parts of the world; it’s because the industry and the agencies in charge of
overseeing them scrutinize heavily on quality standards of safety and
structural integrity. From my personal experiences being around planes and the
knowledge gained about the aviation industry, I have discovered spiritual
parallels with it regarding the principle of integrity. Like those industry
standards we hear about for structural integrity or quality control, we too
have our own personal integrity to keep in check. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of
the Twelve once said, “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.” (April, 1990)
It’s possible
that this mechanic who was contracted to tend the incident aircraft I mentioned
was trying to saving money for the company he worked for. In this case, the
innocent decisions and rationalizations made could have led to potentially
disastrous consequences for the people flying that day, not to mention an
otherwise perfectly-working airplane. Like an aircraft and its required
inspections it has to go through, we too must assess our own personal
integrity. So the question now is: How? In The Book of Mormon, Nephi exhorted
his brothers with the following: “And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and
were and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye
might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth,
and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.” (1 Nephi 16:3) That is sound
advice for us all.
We should all
strive to live up to “Temple Recommend” worthy status in our lives. President
Marion G. Romney once said, “I need not belabor the fact that the world is at
the present time in desperate need of men of integrity. The proof of this
statement may be read in every publication, heard on every radio, and both seen
and heard in every visual and sound production. Our very civilization is in
jeopardy. If it is to be rescued, it must be done by men of integrity.”
(October, 1974) I echo the words of President Romney. Today, we live in a world
where social standards continue to decay as sin and unrighteous behavior
contrary to Church standards become the accepted norm of society. In a world
where it’s easy to cheat and lie in our dealings with our fellow man, it’s more
important that we stay clear of the worldly hazards and keep our personal
integrity intact. We will stand out as a beacon to the world when we stay
upright and righteous in our dealings. Our neighbors around us will notice how
we stand out among the rest. And most importantly, think of the blessings you
will receive and be eligible for when you do so.
However, what if
your personal integrity wasn’t up to what it should be? The landing incident I
mentioned earlier was preventable had that metal rod been replaced as
instructed. And you can prevent a lot of grief in your own life by staying on
that strait and narrow path. Stray from the path and you could potentially
crash and burn and require spiritual repairs that would’ve been otherwise not
necessary had you been obedient from the beginning. Said our Prophet Thomas S.
Monson, “We simply cannot afford the luxury of a detour from which we may never
return.” (October 2010)
Now we’re not
perfect. All of us eventually hit a stumbling block, or two, or three, or more.
Mortality is supposed to be full of trials and difficulties where sometimes our
personal integrity is challenged. For some, these challenges are harder than it
is for others. It was never meant to be easy. And it’s easy for us to get
discouraged and even throw in the towel. But that is no excuse for you not to
make things right. Please understand there is a path back; you can make things
right. In the words of Alma: “But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth
the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement
bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead
bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his
presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and
justice. For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy
claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are
saved.” (Alma 42:23-24)
Integrity is
often the indicator of our personal character and desires. I typically notice a
connection between integrity and the armor of God. However, unlike traditional
shields or pieces of armor typical of knights you see portrayed in the movies,
the armor of God is only effective when our personal integrity is strong and
upright in harmony with obedience of the commandments and Church standards.
Ephesians 6:13-18 describe what I feel are the requirements needed to live a
righteous life where our personal integrity can stand out and shine: “Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having the breastplate of righteousness; And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the
shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for
all saints;” (Ephesians 6:13-18)
We know what we
need to do. We have the necessary knowledge to know where we need to be in our
lives. Our personal integrity, our armor must not have a single chink in it.
May we always strive to stand upright before God. May our lives be full of
enriching and righteous deeds to our fellow man. May we always, for those
worthy and eligible, maintain a current Temple Recommend and strengthen our
faith by going to the Temple often or when we’re able to. Temple attendance can
shelter us from the world and strengthen personal resolve and discover answers
that can help us.
I testify to you
of the importance of personal integrity. It is the indicator of our lives that
will determine whether we have a smooth landing or a rough landing. It defines
moral character in which how others around us will see who we really are. I
also have a testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel; it was
restored by God through the prophet Joseph Smith. The Church today is led today
by a man of integrity, even Thomas S. Monson who is our Prophet, Seer, and
Revelator in these latter-days. I know he is the mouthpiece of God, from where
we are able receive divine instruction. And most importantly, I’m grateful for
the one who displays perfect integrity; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I
know He came to this earth to atone and die for us. I know he was resurrected
and has given us the opportunity to do the same. In times of trial, difficulty
and repentance, when our integrity needs work, it is my hope and prayer that we
turn to Him and the continuing works of the Atonement. My thoughts and
testimony, I leave with you in name of Jesus Christ, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment