I just got home from two days on the road for work, and the house is empty.  It is Christmas Eve.  No doubt, some last minute Christmas shopping is being done!  The sad part is, as I was shoveling the snow out of my parking spot in the driveway, the nice couple from across the street came over to ask me if the dog lying in the snow in front of their home was one of mine.  Sure enough, it was.  He had managed to break free from his run, and was killed by a passing car as the sun set on this beautiful Christmas Eve.  I didn’t even notice him lying there when I came home.  So I feel a little sad.  But it’s seems so strange to me that his death happened right at the time when we are celebrating Christ’s birth.  I think he must have been wanted at his true home in heaven; to again be at the feet of his loving creator for Christmas.  And what better place for him to be?

He died the day before Christmas, 2008.  And my Son, Ethan, was born the day after, in 2003.  So I now have 3 special days to remember each year at this time.

I’m thankful for Jesus Christ; his example, his sacrifice, and his love.  I am thankful for Ethan, and all of the interesting times, and things that he has brought into my life, and I will always remember Max, and I’m happy that he’s at home in heaven for Christmas.  It will be a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas, EVERYONE!  Remember what this holiday is about.  It’s not about gifts, or money, or lights, trees, Santa Clause, or anything else.  It’s about our saviour, and the redemption that he offers us.  And It’s also about goodwill, life, family, love, and joy.  “. . .men are, that they might have joy.” – 2 Nephi 2:25.  Have Joy this Christmas!  You are alive, and you are loved!  And there is such great promise before you!  What else could be better than that?

“We tell lies when we are afraid… afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us.  But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.” ~Tad Williams

I think those words are absolutely accurate.  I truly think that one of the most important qualities that any one of us can possess is an honest spirit.  Honesty.  It’s a beautiful word, and what is more beautiful than the knowledge that no matter what the circumstance, you can put your trust in the character of another?

When we are honest, we are innocent, and can take pride in the strength of our character.  When we do not lie, cheat, steal, or deceive, we can only ever be guilty of making mistakes, for which we can, and should be, forgiven.  Furthermore, acceptance, and confession of our mistakes, makes us lovable.  To be sure, I’ve never been so impressed by a person than when they confess a mistake that they could have lied about, and no one ever would have known.  It makes me trust them, and admire their strength and fidelity.  It makes them great in my eyes.  I think more highly of a person who errors, and then admits it, and endeavors to make it right, than by the person who never made the mistake in the first place.  My respect for the first person is greater.

So why is it so hard?  In a recent survey conducted by the Josephson Institute of teenagers, it is reported that teenagers today are habitually stealing, lying, and cheating at an alarming rate.  30 percent of teenagers admitted to stealing from a store within the last year.  42 percent say that they sometimes lie to save money, and 83 percent lied to their parents about something significant.  64 percent say they cheated on a test within the last year.  And to make matters worse, 26 percent said they lied on at least 1 or 2 questions on the survey!  Experts agree that dishonesty on surveys usually is an attempt to conceal misconduct, so what does that mean?

“Despite these high levels of dishonesty, the respondents have a high self-image when it comes to ethics. A whopping 93 percent said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character and 77 percent said that when it comes to doing what is right, ‘I am better than most people I know’,  the report said.

Okay, so I remember being a teenager, and I was admittedly less than perfectly ethical and honest at all times.  But doesn’t it seem like people these days, not just teenagers–but people in general–are bending the rules of ethical and honest behavior more often lately than in the past?

Recently I made a commitment to myself to stop speeding when in my car.  I’m wondering if this particular commitment might be a public safety concern, because on my way home from work everyone was passing me so fast that I feared I might be killed in a horrible accident.  But does an honest person break the law?  Isn’t it cheating, in a way, to get somewhere faster by breaking the speed limit?

And what about politicians?  I watched the presidential campaigning and debates leading up the recent election, and there were lies everywhere!

It is this lack of honesty that could be our downfall.  We need to stop with the cheating, lying, and stealing, because when we do these things, we’re hurting not only our own personal integrity, but we’re hurting other people.  It’s inherent in the beast.  Because we perpetuate an ugly cycle.  We help to create a world where cheating is the norm, and honest people feel like they have to cheat in order to be competitive, to survive, or to succeed.  It is not only simply wrong of us to engage in this, but it is destructive to our self-esteem, our relationships, and our society and country.  I for one truly believe that honesty really is the best policy.

And with that, I’d like to encourage you to join me in making a commitment to make the world a better place; by nurturing a spirit of honesty and integrity within yourself.  After all, What is your integrity worth?