Brief summary

Elder Quentin L. Cook teaches that integrity, virtue and ongoing repentance are essential to lasting happiness and faithful discipleship of Jesus Christ. He encourages us to live consistently with our beliefs, treat others with Christlike kindness, obey the Lord’s commandments and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Key quotes and questions to ponder or discuss

‘Lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ best reflect the Savior’s teaching and direction when they joyfully live lives of integrity and virtue.’ (Paragraph 1)

‘The virtuous, Christlike life necessary to sustain us and propel us along the covenant path has never been more important or challenging.’ (Paragraph 2)

How does living a virtuous life reflect the Saviour’s teachings and help us follow the covenant path?

What does the saying “Act well thy part” mean to you? (Paragraphs 3-7)

‘In the Father’s plan, integrity, virtue, and happiness are intrinsically linked. Living a virtuous life with integrity aligns us with God’s will. True happiness, often translated as blessedness, is the actual outcome of integrity and being virtuous.’ (Paragraph 10)

How are integrity, virtue and happiness linked?

‘Any use of the internet to bully, destroy a reputation, or place a person in a bad light is reprehensible.’ (Paragraph 15)

‘It is clear that evil communications are not just a matter of bad manners. If practiced by Latter-day Saints, they can adversely affect others who do not have a knowledge of God or a testimony of our Savior.’ (Paragraph 16)

What should our online communications tell other people about us?

‘We show our integrity by living virtuous lives and caring for and serving others. The ultimate reward of integrity and virtue is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.’ (Paragraph 22)

How are integrity and virtue linked to the companionship of the Holy Ghost?

‘Part of having integrity is acknowledging our faults to the Lord and repenting of transgressions. When we make repentance a constant, day-to-day part of our lives, we can approach the Lord with integrity and receive His saving blessings.’ (Paragraph 23)

‘Integrity, virtue, and ongoing repentance are the answer in a world where coarse language and serious challenges are so prevalent.’ (Paragraph 26)

Why is daily repentance an important part of integrity rather than evidence that we have failed?

Invitations

• Act well your part.
• Become a peacemaker.
• Renew your spiritual commitment.
• Practice integrity.
• Make daily repentance a habit.

Application

What is one change I can make this week that would help me become a person of greater integrity, virtue and lasting happiness?

You can watch Elder Cook’s talk here.

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