181st Annual General Conference — Church News coverage
Special 2011 General Young Women Video Presentation
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The Thirteenth Article of Faith is a guide for righteous, Christian living, Sister Ann M. Dibb told young women during the worldwide broadcast on March 26.
"Imagine for a moment what the world would be like if everyone chose to live by the teachings found in the Thirteenth Article of Faith," she said.
Sister Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, spoke of the importance of two specific principles found in the Thirteenth Article of Faith — being honest and true — that will keep individuals safe and on course.
First, individuals must be honest.
"When we are honest in all things, big and small, we experience peace of mind and a clear conscience," Sister Dibb said. "Our relationships are enriched, because they are based on trust. And the greatest blessing that comes from being honest is that we are able to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost."
Sister Dibb spoke of being completely honest in every situation of life, no matter how large or small the decision may seem. To illustrate, she shared a story of a man who took his young son to steal corn from his neighbor's field. His son's assignment was to watch out for anyone coming along and to warn his father if he saw someone.
As the father went to fill his bag, he first looked all directions to make sure no one was around. The son then called out, 'Father, there is one way you haven't looked yet! … You forgot to look up.'
"When we are tempted to be dishonest, and this temptation comes to all of us, we may suppose no one will ever know," she said. "This story reminds us that our Heavenly Father always knows, and we are ultimately accountable to Him."
The second principle Sister Dibb spoke of is the principle of being true.
"Being true to our beliefs, even when doing so isn't popular, easy or fun, keeps us safely on the path that leads to eternal life with our Heavenly Father," she said. "Being true also allows us to have a positive effect on the lives of others."
Drawing from the British literary classic, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, Sister Dibb shared how in a desperate moment of temptation, Jane was true to her beliefs, trusted in the law given by God and "planted her foot in resistance to temptation." Ultimately, it is through being true to one's beliefs that they are able to be happy, be a good influence for others and ultimately return to live with their Heavenly Father for eternity.
"It is my prayer that each of you will not only state, 'I believe in being honest and true,' but that you will also commit to live that promise each and every day," said Sister Dibb. "I pray that as you do this, Heavenly Father's strength, love and blessings will sustain you as you do the work you were each sent here to do."
