No, Thank You!

How should you answer the person who invites you to “take a cigarette” or “have a drink” — or do anything which is against your conscience or contrary to the teachings of your Heavenly Father?

What should you say? How much do you need to explain or apologize? When, if ever, should you compromise just a little for the sake of appearance?

The answer is easy. Just say “No — no, thank you.” Don’t waver. Don’t worry about how others may think or act. Be your own natural, honest self. Everyone admires sincerity.

If the invitation to indulge in something you don’t believe in comes from a host or hostess while you are a guest, your answer will come even easier. The obligation of courtesy is not that of the guest but of the host.

The gracious host will never press you, never question your right to be yourself in matters of conscience. He will admire you for your forthright stand.

It’s natural to want to be liked by the crowd. But compromising with principles is always wrong, often dangerous.

What is right? What is wrong? Fortunately, there are ways for members of the Church to recognize right from wrong. Read the Scriptures; listen to the teachings of your Church leaders. And listen, also, to the whisperings of that “still, small voice.” When it whispers: “It’s wrong; don’t do it!” — say firmly, honestly, finally: “No, thank you — no!”

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

Danger — Curves Ahead!

A sleek, soft-purring convertible, a pretty girl, and handsome boy — or a carful of both — and an open road. What could be more thrilling, more desirable to the young and the young in heart!

This is a typical picture of young America today. And there’s nothing wrong with the picture, no cause for concern. Or is there?

Yes, there are hazards ahead — physical and moral hazards. First, let’s look at the newspapers. Here are typical headlines from just one issue: “Traffic claims three…all killed instantly in separate Sunday accidents.” “A predawn race between two cars ended in the death of a teen-ager here when one of the cars went out of control on a curve…”

These were not problem children: a high school senior about to graduate; a clean-cut companion, active in church, athletics. Promising futures for these youngsters — until they failed to take the curve!

Then there are the other kinds of curves too often associated with young people and automobiles: the curves of temptation, on or off the highway, which too often bring tragedy and spiritual and moral death to America’s youth, curves which may throw you head-long into a spiritual or moral collision.

So, young people of the Church, watch those road sings on life’s fast-moving highway: “Caution,” “Narrow Bridge,” “Crossing,” “Curve Ahead.”

So — slow down! Heed before you speed. It’s your highway, your car, your hazard. You hold the steering wheel. You control the throttle. It’s your life to live usefully or to spend recklessly; your life to save or lose.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

Modesty is the Best Policy

Modesty, like honesty in the copy book adage, is the best policy. It is the best policy because it is best for you.

Modesty is a many-sided virtue. It applies to your manner of speech, your manner of dress, your manner of conduct. And thus it reveals the manner of person you are.

Take speech. One who is modest in speech talks with restraint, sticks to the facts, gives to others the right to their own opinions without compromising his own. His opinions are listened to, his advice is often heeded.

Modesty in dress is another virtue. Smartness of style and modesty can go together, and often do. On the other hand, to flaunt one’s figure, especially before persons of the opposite sex, may excite attention but not inspire admiration. Immodesty of dress is more likely to bring a “whistle call” of dubious compliment than a sincere proposal of honorable friendship.

Modesty of conduct also brings its own reward. In a day when vulgarity is sometimes commercialized to the tune of “off beat” dance steps, it may take restraint to be modest on dance floor or in parked car, but true modesty will pay off in the lasting trust and enduring friendships of your companions.

To these rewards of modesty you can add another–your own self-respect–and without self-respect you can never have the true joy of living which a loving Heavenly Father put us here to find and cherish. So — be modest — BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints produced a series of postcards in the mid-to-late 1950s entitled Be Honest With Yourself. Aimed at the high school and college-aged crowd, they were the original MormonAds. And even though some of them are over 50 years old, their timely and timeless messages are as relevant today as they were when the halls of BYU were redolent of Aqua Velva and Aqua Net.