Personal Progress – Integrity Value Experience #1

Started February 18, 2016

Finished March 3, 2016

Personal Progress – Integrity Value Experience #1

Integrity is the willingness and desire to live by our beliefs and standards. Read Moroni 10:30–33 and think about what it means to “deny yourselves of all ungodliness.” Read the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth. Reflect on how the Lord’s standards differ from the world’s standards. Record in your journal appropriate standards for behavior, dress, and conversation, as well as literature, movies, television, Internet, music, cell phones, and other media. Also write your plan to stay morally clean and worthy to attend the temple. After keeping your standards for at least one month, record your feelings in your journal and continue to keep your commitment.

Think about what it means to “deny yourselves of all ungodliness.”

I think “deny yourselves of all ungodliness” means that in all areas of our lives we try to do that which is good and holy.  We seek good entertainment, friends, books, music, environments, language, etc.  We will not be able to do this all at once.  Little by little we get better each day.  Today we are better than we were yesterday; tomorrow we will be better than we were today.  As we do this we develop integrity, the moral courage to make our actions consistent with our knowledge of right and wrong.  Until eventually, by the grace of God we become holy, without spot. (Moroni 10:30-33)

Reflect on how the Lord’s standards differ from the world’s standards.

The world doesn’t seem to have any set standards anymore.  It is more of an anything goes, do what feels good at the moment type of mentality.  There is rarely any teaching to develop self-control.  I know that I am a daughter of God and that he has standards for my happiness.  I know that I was created by Him in His image and that He knows who I am and what my mind and body needs to be happy and to help others be happy.  I know that wickedness never was happiness so I need to stay away from wickedness if I want to be happy.

Appropriate standards for:

• Behavior – Modest Behavior, avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in behavior.
• Dress – It is important to dress in such a way that shows you know how precious your body is, to also show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.  Be well groomed--neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle and behavior.  Do not use special occasions as an excuse to be immodest.  Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any other manner.  Short shorts and skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back should be avoided.
• Conversation—Use clean and intelligent language  for it is evidence of a bright and wholesome mind. Use Good language that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others invites the Spirit to be with you.  Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith, hope, and charity.  Choose friends who use good language. Help others improve their language by your example. Be willing to politely walk away or change the subject when those around you use inappropriate language.  Speak kindly and positively about others. Choose not to insult others or put them down, even in joking. Avoid gossip of any kind, and avoid speaking in anger. When you are tempted to say harsh or hurtful things, leave them unsaid.  Always use the names of God and Jesus Christ with reverence and respect. Do not use profane, vulgar, or crude language or gestures, and do not tell jokes or stories about immoral actions.  Remember that these standards for your use of language apply to all forms of communication, including texting on a cell phone or communicating on the Internet.  If you have developed the habit of using language that is not in keeping with these standards—such as swearing, mocking, gossiping, or speaking in anger to others—you can change. Pray for help. Ask your family and friends to support you in your desire to use good language.
• Literature, Movies, Television, Internet, Music, Cell phones and Other Media -- Select only media that uplifts you.  Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable.  Do not watch, listen to or read media that portrays what is wrong and evil to be normal, humorous, or exciting. Do not spend long periods of time using the Internet or a mobile device, playing video games, or watching television or other media because that can keep you from valuable interactions with other people. Be careful that your use of social media does not replace spending time with your family and friends.  Guard your safety and the safety of others by taking great care about what personal information and images you share through technology. Do not communicate anything over the Internet or through texting that would be inappropriate to share in person. Obey the laws that govern sharing music, movies, and other copyrighted items.

Also write your plan to stay morally clean and worthy to attend the temple.

I plan to stay morally clean by living the standards in the strength of youth pamphlet.  I also will do my best to keep my relationship with Chad strong and healthy and to be a good help meet for him. 

After keeping your standards for at least one month, record your feelings in your journal and continue to keep your commitment.

When I live with integrity–keeping my actions in harmony with my knowledge of right and wrong—I am happier, I have peace, I recognize the prompting of the Holy Ghost.