Commandments - Honesty: LDS Lesson Activity - I'm "Sew" Honest! stand-up card - "Why is it important to be honest?"

Use for COME FOLLOW ME Young Women, Young Men, Seminary, Sunday School, Family Home Evening

LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
I’m “Sew” Honest! stand-up card

OBJECTIVE: With this “I’m ‘Sew’ Honest” tent card youth can write the blessings that they receive from being honest.

Card reads “In honesty, I measure up!”

Ideas to Write on Card: Peace of mind, self-respect, others trust you; you don’t have to remember what you said or did; you have a clear conscience and are not burdened with guilt.

TO MAKE Print activity in color or black and white.

THOUGHT TREAT: Honest Fudge. Make a batch of quick fudge by melting 2 packages of sweetened chocolate chips, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla for 1-2 minutes in the microwave. Stir and place in a square buttered pan. Cool then cut into squares. Frost the letter “H” on top of each 1 1/2″ square. Share a piece to each youth, saying that if they “fudge” at times (or be dishonest), they will not feel good about themselves and their relationships with others. Hand-print a note to give them that reads: If you “fudge” on honesty, you are only cheating yourself.

MUTUAL NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY, OR FAMILY HOME EVENING ACTIVITIES:

MALT SHOP HONESTY TEST: Treat youth to malt or milkshake treats. Tell the owner or cashier ahead of time that you are teaching a lesson on honesty. Have them charge you for one less item (e.g., seven malts when eight malts were served). Pay for your order then check the bill after you leave. Tell youth they made a mistake and only charged you for seven. Some will suggest going back to pay, some may say it’s not worth the trouble. Then go back and make up the difference.

HONEST REFLECTION: Ask youth to think about who’s cheating who when we are dishonest?
Step 1: Show a thin piece of fabric and talk about the veil that separates us from heaven. We have to live by faith, not seeing on the other side of the veil, but Heavenly Father knows our every thought and action. He knows the truth of all the things we think and do.
Step 2: Ask youth to quietly reflect on their past thoughts and actions regarding honesty at home, school, and in the community. Ask them to think: Do I cheat? Do I steal? Do I gossip?
Step 3: Discuss types of honesty. Some people don’t feel it is dishonest when they: (1) Gossip, (2) Say they will call a friend when they don’t intend to, (3) Accept a date before they are 16, (4) Say they are older than they are, (5) Say they did something when they did not, or (6) Steal another person’s time by being late.
Step 4: Talk about the feelings you have when you are dishonest. Say that honesty builds strength, and dishonesty breeds mistrust of others, dislike of self, feelings of sadness.
Step 5: Show the thin fabric again and ask, “Do you feel from your actions that you are now worthy to pass through the veil and enter into God’s presence?”

VIDEO: Three Towels and a 25-Cent Newspaper – Richard C. Edgley – First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric – When we are true to the sacred principles of honesty and integrity, we are true to our faith, and we are true to ourselves.

QUOTES ON HONESTY: Be honest with yourself, others, and the Lord. Do not rationalize that dishonesty is right. Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving. …
“Cheating in school is a form of self-deception. We go to school to learn. We cheat ourselves when we coast on the efforts and scholarship of someone else. …
“Stealing is all too common throughout the world. … Stealing takes many forms, including shoplifting; taking cars, stereos, CD players, video games, and other items that belong to someone else; stealing time, money, and merchandise from employers; … or borrowing without any intention of repayment. No one has ever gained anything of value by theft. …
“The stealing of anything is unworthy of a priesthood holder.”
Source: President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Honesty—a Moral Compass,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 41–42, 43.