Honesty....always the best policy?

Yesterday our Sunday school lesson was: 

Chapter 31: Honesty

Since I have been released from the primary I have chosen to 

attend the "beginners" class.

The class for new members I guess, called Gospel Principles.

I love it in there because it is back to basics, pretty much just like primary.

The basics are really what the gospel is to me.

We have great discussions and I feel the spirit let me know what 

I personally need to hear each week.

It helps that we have a fantastic teacher....

Brother Watson.

He is super down to earth, a bit, um, irreverent?

That is probably not the right word, 

but he puts everyone at ease,

they (we) feel free to speak up and not be embarrassed about commenting.

So, Honesty.

I'm honest.

I thought I was pretty honest.

We talked quite a bit about little white lies.

Are these ok?

What about to protect someones feelings?

One brother said he didn't want his aged mother to worry so much,
so sometimes he left some truth out.

I piped up that I thought these "types" of things were A-ok.

That if it were a "true lie", the spirit would dictate that to us,

and we would need to remedy that right away.

By the end of class, I felt differently....

I left knowing that in fact, I can no longer get free music 

off the internet for my classes.

Dang it!

Then why is it possible, and so easy to do?

Why do my kids know about the free music sites?

Are we sure they are not legal?

Why would they be on the internet if they were not?

I don't get it.

But....does that make it right?

I have really been told straight up.....so I can't fake stupid any more

I guess.

This morning was a REAL wake up call for me,

and really this is the reason I bring up this lesson at all.

We were up and at it, 

K is getting ready to head out the door,

and I casually mention that the van smells like urine.

I say, 

I bet it is because of that dumb leak from the air conditioning

on the passenger side.

The cover keeps falling off by the floor......

we really should get that fixed

once and for all.....

don't cha think?

Well.......if YOU GUYS would ever put the cover back on,
it wouldn't always leak!

Hey! we are constantly putting the cover on!

Oh yeah?

Yes.

OK, when was the last time you personally put the cover on?

Me: one week ago.

.............

oh my gosh.

that was a bold face lie.

that came out of my mouth with out a second thought.

I did it because, I thought if K thought we had

been putting the cover on all the time, he would 

hurry faster to fix the issue.

...............

I gave a little nervous laugh, and said, ok, 

I just lied.

I really have never put the cover on in my life.

There.

Now you know.

He came over and gave me a big hug....

"That's one of the things I love about you so much.

You are always so honest".

GEEEEEZZZZE.

At that moment another small lie came into my mind.

On Friday he asked if I had called on an invoice.

I said yes, but that no one answered.

I really forgot to call...

I did not confess this to him at the time, felt too creepy.

He will find out when he reads this post, if ever.

But I do PROMISE to call today for real,

it is sitting here at my desk.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY?

I had no idea of my constant lying!

Ok, that is exaggerating a little maybe......but when I am 

asked in my temple recommend interview, 

Am I honest in my dealing 

with my fellow man?

I think I need to PAY A LITTLE CLOSER ATTENTION.

Here are a few quotes from our lesson:

There are many forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest.

The Lord is not pleased with such dishonesty, and we will have to account for our lies. Satan would have us believe it is all right to lie. He says, “Yea, lie a little; … there is no harm in this” (2 Nephi 28:8). Satan encourages us to justify our lies to ourselves. 

People use many excuses for being dishonest. People lie to protect themselves and to have others think well of them. Some excuse themselves for stealing, thinking they deserve what they took, intend to return it, or need it more than the owner. 

These excuses and many more are given as reasons for dishonesty. To the Lord, there are no acceptable reasons. When we excuse ourselves, we cheat ourselves and the Spirit of God ceases to be with us. 

What does it mean to be completely honest?

“Let every man’s life be so that his character will bear the closest inspection, and that it may be seen as an open book, so that he will have nothing to shrink from or be ashamed of.” 

So, this is something I will be actively working on.

.........................

This past week Ethan had a wonderful experience.

He was able to baptize the two Chirarillo boys into the church.

He was nervous.

The boys were nervous....and very afraid of water.

It took a few times,

a bit of counsel, some reworking, deep breaths, and finally

they both got down on their knees to be lower in the water.

It was a success.

It was a special sneak peak into his future 

as a missionary.

I am grateful he accepts invitations to serve,

even if his initial reaction is otherwise.

 Here is our kitchen ceiling now.....maybe this week it will be completed!!

 M is always cute, and L put this gross latex glove on his foot yesterday.

Looks revolting doesn't it?

I am off to tell the truth, the whole truth, 

and nothing but the truth.....so help me.....

I'm kind of nervous....but also excited!!