Wanted: Men and Women of Integrity

This morning I watched the BYU Devotional Speech Elder Tad R. Callister gave on December 6 , 2011—“Becoming Men and Women of Integrity.”  This speech had a particular appeal to me because I want Esperanza to be filled with men and women of integrity.  In fact, that is more important to me than skills for skills can be taught. 

Elder Callister said that men and women of integrity are desperately needed—and are in short supply-- in every profession.

“Integrity is a purity of mind and heart that knows no deception, no excuses, no rationalization, nor any coloring of the facts…It is doing what’s right because our character demands it.”  Elder Callister used Sir Thomas More on which the play/movie “A Man for All Seasons” was based as an example of what it means to be a person of integrity. 

“Does our integrity, our honor have a purchase price?” Elder Callister asked. “A dime, a thousand dollars, the approval of our peers, some physical pleasure or temporary recognition? Is there some point at which our integrity can be purchased, or is it priceless – not for sale at any price?”

Elder Callister then addressed seven principles of integrity. Excerpts from his remarks follow.

1. Integrity is the foundation of our character and all other virtues.

2. Integrity is not doing just that which is legal, but that which is moral.

Integrity is not just adherence to the legal code or being fair, but to the higher moral code.  It is as Abraham Lincoln suggested – living in accord with the ‘better angels of our nature.’”

3. Integrity makes decisions based on eternal implications. 

 “Integrity is not shortsighted – it is not just a temporary change of behavior; it is a permanent change of nature.”

4. Integrity is disclosing the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

5. Integrity knows no alibis or excuses.

May it be said of us that we can be trusted because of the integrity of our heart. 

6. Integrity is keeping our covenants and our commitments, even in times of inconvenience.

“Integrity is the courage to do right regardless of the consequence, and regardless of the inconvenience.”

7. Integrity is not governed by the presence of others. It is internally, not externally driven.

“In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Polonius says to his son Laertes: ‘To thine ownself be true and it must follow as the night the day; thou canst not be false to any man.’ What wonderful counsel! We have a choice – we can either seize the moment and take control of our lives – or become mere puppets to our environment and our peers.

“May the integrity of our souls have a sign which reads in bold, black letters, ‘NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE.’