We say we believe in being honest.

My friend Kathy Smith told a true story of a young football player. This young man was the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the school team. The coach made fun of him, occasionally deriding him and making his life miserable. The young man loved the sport but decided not to put himself through the  agony of being picked on any more. That coach just did not understand. No more football for him.

Halfway through the summer, this young man reconsidered, deciding to play his last year of high school football after all. When he went to the counter to pay the deposit for his gear, he hurriedly accepted the change he was given and shoved it in his pocket.

When he got home and pulled the stuff out of his pockets, he was mortified to see that he had been given  too much change -- five dollars too much.  "Oh, great!" he said to himself. "If I take the money back, the coach will be in my face right off the bat. Forget it! I'll just keep the extra cash and save myself the problems."

He told his Mom what happened. Mom said, "Well, dear, I know you will do  what you think is right." (Interesting how wise Moms can place the responsibility squarely on our shoulders, huh?)

The next morning he returned to the counter and handed over the five dollars. "Yesterday you gave me too much change. I've come to return it."

The coach, standing in the background, punched his assistant in the arm.  "Pay up!" he said. "I told you he would bring the money back! You owe me  ten dollars! I told you he wouldn't keep that extra money!"

The young man almost fainted. He had been set up! Even though the coach had teased him and made fun from time to time, he figured this Mormon boy lived what he was taught. His standards would not allow him to be less than honest.

What if the football player hadn't brought the money back??

Just like the wise man in the primary song, honesty is a building block for a strong house on a firm foundation. We will live better by living honestly. And we may be the example to a lot of others, even when we are unaware!  Fortunate for this young man, he did live as we say we believe.

We believe in being honest!