Honesty

Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at BYU on the subject of honesty.

In order to constantly receive the spirit of truth, individuals must fill their lives with truth and honesty. As they do, their spiritual eyes will be opened to increased enlightenment, he said. Honesty also includes keeping commitments and following through with one's word.

"There are times we honor commitments simply because we have agreed to honor them," he said. "You will have situations in your life after your university years when you will be tempted to disregard an agreement you have made. You will initially make the agreement because of something you wish to receive in return. Later, because of a change in circumstances, you will no longer want to honor the terms of the agreement. Learn now when you give your word, when you make a promise, when you sign your name, your personal honesty and integrity bind you to your word, your commitment, your agreement."

The challenge to be honest also comes in the small temptations on the edge of being completely honest or when the consequences of telling the truth could be detrimental, Elder Andersen said. But, it is in those moments that individuals are able to — through being completely honest — gain spiritual power.