The Witness of the Conduct: Living Up to the Reputation of the Covenant Keepers

When we speak of bearing a witness of the Restoration, we often focus on the doctrinal truths—the eternal nature of the family, the reality of the resurrected Christ, the divine origin of our covenants. These truths are the foundation, the unshakable rock upon which our lives are built. Yet, sometimes the most profound witness is not found in the eloquence of our defense, but in the quiet, consistent conduct of our daily lives.

Recently, I watched a powerful address given at BYU that centered on this very principle. The speaker used the simple, relatable metaphor of a branded briefcase, showing how the desire to live up to the high standards of a community—in this case, the Church and its associated institutions—fundamentally alters one's behavior for the better. He noted how the conscious effort to represent the faith's reputation for kindness led him to abandon habits (like carrying coffee cups) that might suggest hypocrisy or disconnect.

The Standard of the Covenant

The scholar's central lesson was clear: our greatest witness is the conduct of our lives. He contrasted the current cultural climate—marked by recrimination, reproach, and political tribalism—with the powerful, transformative effect of embodying a higher standard of love and kindness. This resonates deeply with the doctrine and covenants we profess. We are called to be ambassadors not merely of doctrine, but of divine character.

Moving Beyond Anger to Contempt

What was particularly striking was the discussion regarding the destructive power of contempt. The speaker correctly pointed out that while anger has a social purpose (intended to remove problematic elements and bring people back together), the true destroyer of relationships is the "unsullied conviction of the worthlessness of another person."

As Latter-day Saints, we are continually taught to follow the pattern of Christ. The Savior taught us that we are to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This is not a passive sentiment; it is an active, arduous covenant commitment. It requires us to guard our hearts and minds from the subtle, corrosive poison of contempt—the tendency to categorize, dismiss, and judge others based on political, social, or doctrinal differences.

The Iron Rod and the Daily Walk

The covenant path, often symbolized by the iron rod, is not just about doctrinal knowledge; it is a process of constant refinement of character. When we receive the Spirit, we are not merely given revelation; we are given a calling to embody a higher standard of moral purity and charity. To live in the light of the restored gospel is to live in a way that elevates the reputation of the Lord's Church.

The scriptures provide ample warning regarding the power of our actions and words. The Savior taught that our words are "deadly," and that our thoughts are scrutinized by the Lord (Matthew 12:36–37). Our conduct, therefore, becomes a form of scripture—a visible testimony to the world that the covenants are real, powerful, and life-altering. It is the visible evidence that the Restoration is proceeding through the lives of faithful disciples.

This requires intentionality. We must examine what influences our daily behavior. Are we allowing the noise of social media, political discourse, or secular culture to define our standard? Or are we allowing the divine standard—the standard of Christ—to govern our response, our speech, and our deepest convictions?

The work of the Restoration is global, and our witness must be equally far-reaching. We are called to operate with the power of the priesthood, not merely by name, but by living in a manner that honors the ordinances and covenants we hold most sacred. Let us be mindful that our greatest sermon is the sermon of our daily life.

I invite you to take some time this week to review your own conduct. Where are the subtle places where contempt or frustration might creep in? What small, daily habit—like the scholar abandoning the coffee cup—can you sacrifice or change to better reflect the sacred nature of our calling? Let us keep our conduct, our hearts, and our covenants spotless, that the world may see the glory of the Gospel and the power of the Lord’s keeping hand.