Incorruptible Men and Women

"Integrity is realized by doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason--at any cost. "The U.S. Military Academy has a code that declares, 'A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.' It is an external code imposed by the institution, and those who violate it are subject to harsh discipline.

"But men and women of honor have an internalized code of conduct that informs their decisions which is far more demanding that anything this academy can impose. If that internal code is built on the right principles, a soldier will do the right thing in any given situation, even if doing it is at great personal cost."

Aderence to such an internalized code makes a man or woman incorruptible, and the world needs incorruptible men and women today as desperately as it ever has in it's history."

Joan of Arc believed some things are worse than dying, even worse than dying young. One of those things worse than dying is to live without integrity to a cause you believe to be more sacred that life itself."

Elder Holland at an address shared with cadets and others on May 7, 2010. This address was given for the National Day of Prayer Breakfast at the US Military Academy at West Point. This was the first time a Latter-day Saint had spoken in the prayer breakfast series.

Church News. Week Ending May 15, 2010