Comments and Scriptures on Honesty

It is a commandment to be honest

Honesty is one of the ten commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness, Exodus 20:16 Éxodo 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20 Deuteronomio 5:20, Luke 18:20 Lucas 18:20, Romans 13:9 Romanos 13:9 and Mosiah 13:23 Mosíah 13:23. Moses instructs the children of Israel not to lie or deal falsely with each other, Leviticus 19:11-13 Levítico 19:11-13. The law of Moses required restitution in cases of things taken dishonestly, Leviticus 6:1-5 Levítico 6:1-5. In the Americas the priests of the Church taught against lyings and deceivings and other wickedness, Alma 16:18-19 Alma 16:18-19. In Book of Mormon times lies were punished by the law, Alma 1:17 Alma 1:17. Also in the Doctrine and Covenants it tells us liar are to be delivered up to the law of the land, D&C 42:86 D&C 42:86.

We are not to reward evil for evil but instead "provide things honest in the sight of all men," Romans 12:17 Romanos 12:17. We need to deal justly with others, Alma 41:14 Alma 41:14.

We should renounce "the hidden things of dishonesty," 2 Corinthians 4:2 2 Corintios 4:2. Let us walk honestly, Romans 13:13 Romanos 13:13. We need to do that which is honest, 2 Corinthians 13:7 2 Corintios 13:7. We need to be willing to live honestly, Hebrews 13:18 Hebreos 13:18. "And evil communications corrupt good manners," 1 Corinthians 15:33 1 Corintios 15:33.

The thirteenth article of faith talks about honesty. Philippians 4:8 Filipenses 4:8 is very similar. In Ephesians it says have your "loins girt about with truth," Ephesians 6:14 Efesios 6:14 and also in the Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 27:16 D&C 27:16.

We need to put away lying and speak truth to each other, Ephesians 4:25 Efesios 4:25 and lie not one to another, Colossians 3:9 Colosenses 3:9. In Proverbs it says "My mouth shall speak truth," Proverbs 8:6-8 Proverbios 8:6-8. Mormon commands the gentiles to turn from their wicked ways, their lying and deceivings, 3 Nephi 30:2 3 Nefi 30:2.

Every man should speak the truth, Zechariah 8:16 Zecarías 8:16 and have honest conversation, 1 Peter 2:12 1 Pedro 2:12. "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee," Proverbs 3:3 Proverbios 3:3. Hold onto the truth, Proverbs 23:23 Proverbios 23:23. Importance of speaking the truth, Proverbs 12:17-20 Proverbios 12:17.

False witness will be punished, Deuteronomy 19:16-19 Deuteronomio 19:16-19. But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, D&C 50:6 D&C 50:6. "A false witness shall not be unpunished," Proverbs 19:5 Proverbios 19:5 and Proverbs 19:9 Proverbios 19:9. "Let the lying lips be put to silence," Psalms 31:18 Salmo 31:18. The liars will have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, Revelation 21:8 Apocalipsis 21:8. The liar "shall be thrust down to hell," 2 Nephi 9:34 2 Nefi 9:34. "He that lieth and will not repent shall be cast out," D&C 42:21 D&C 42:21.

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house," Psalms 101:7 Salmo 101:7.

Being a false witness is one of the things that defileth a man, Matthew 15:19-20 Mateo 15:19-20 and Mark 7:21-23 Marcos 4:21-23.

Dishonesty is not justified even if it is supposedly to catch someone else in a lie, D&C 10:25 D&C 10:25 and D&C 10:28 D&C 10:28.

We need to follow the Son with full purpose of heart with no hypocrisy or deception, 2 Nephi 31:13 2 Nefi 31:13 and serve the Lord in sincerity and in truth, Joshua 24:14-15 Josué 24:14-15. We need to be honenst in the sight of God and man, 2 Corinthians 8:21 2 Corintios 8:21. We need to keep our vows to the Lord, Ecclesiastes 5:5-7. Eclesiastés 5:5-7.

After the coming of Christ we are instructed not to swear oaths, but instead simply honor our words, Matthew 5:34-37 Mateo 5:34-37. We need to keep all our pledges one with another, D&C 136:20 D&C 136:20.

Honest in business and public life

Amos complains against those who are not honest in business, Amos 8:5 Amós 8:5. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, Proverbs 11:1 Proverbios 11:1. The Lord condemns the people for dishonest gain, Ezekiel 22:13 Ezequiel 22:13.

Honest men should be sought for public office, D&C 98:8-10 D&C 98:8-10.

Paul says "That ye may walk honestly to ward them that are without," 1 Thessalonians 4:12 1 Tesalonicenses 4:12. I am not quite sure if the "without" refers to those without monetary means or those without the Church. Bruce R. McConkie in his Doctrinal New Testament Commentary volume III refers to Colossians 4:5 Colosenses 4:5 that is similar but uses the word "wisdom" instead of "honesty." He then says "Church members have a special obligation to conduct themselves in such a way that others, seeing their good works, will be led to accept the gospel. ..."

If you find something that belongs to someone else you should "make diligent search" to find the owner, D&C 136:26 D&C 136:26. We should look out for other peoples things even if they are our enemy, Exodus 23:4 Éxodo 23:4. We need to make sure we return what we barrow, D&C 136:25 D&C 136:25. When we don't return what we barrow we can cause our neighbors to commit sin also, Mosiah 4:28 Mosíah 4:28.

After Christ came to the Americas the people had all things common among them and dealt justly one with another, 3 Nephi 26:19 3 Nefi 26:19. Also in the Doctrine and Covenants we are told that every man needs to deal honestly, D&C 51:9 D&C 51:9 and be one as a people.

Honest to ourselves

We can't deceive our way into heaven, 2 Nephi 9:41 2 Nefi 9:41. "Be not deceived" we reap what we sow, Galatians 6:7-8 Gálatas 6:7-8. Don't be deceived the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9 1 Corintios 6:9.

Paul warns about those that with "fair speeches" deceive the people of the Church, Romans 16:17-18 Romanos 16:17-18. People in the world are blinded to the truth by the subtle craftiness of men, D&C 123:12-14 D&C 123:12-14. Don't be deceived by vain words, Ephesians 5:6 Efesios 5:6. Beware of the vain philosophy and learning of men, Colossians 2:8 Colosenses 2:8. We need to not be as children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, Ephesians 4:14 Efesios 4:14. Christ tells his disciples don't be deceived the second coming will not come until there is a falling away first, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 2 Tesalonicenses 2:2-3. We need to be careful that hearts are not deceived and we worship other gods, Deuteronomy 11:16 Deuteronomio 11:16.

We need to watch that we don't deceive ourselves thinking we are wise, 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 1 Corintios 3:18-19. Braging about "false gifts" is dishonest, Proverbs 25:14 Proverbios 25:14. I couldn't figure out if this referred to bragging about talents we don't really have or bragging about our nice things that really aren't that nice. Maybe both interpretations aren't that far different. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves," 1 John 1:8 1 Juan 1:8. Hearers of the word and not doers deceive themselves, James 1:22 Santiago 1:22. Deceit appears to work at the time, but comes back to us, Proverbs 20:17 Proverbios 20:17.

In the parable of the sower some people are overcome by the deceitfulness of riches, Matthew 13:22 Mateo 13:22 and Mark 4:19 Marcos 4:19. That you are not deceived seek the best gifts, D&C 46:8 D&C 46:8. We need to put off the old man corrupted by deceitful lusts, Ephesians 4:22 Efesios 4:22. We need to desire truth in the inward parts, Psalms 51:6 Salmo 51:6.

Honest are selected for the Lord's work

Those whos hearts are honest are accepted of the Lord, D&C 97:8 D&C 97:8. When the apostles needed help to provide food for the widows they chose seven that were of honest report and filled with the Holy Ghost, Acts 6:3 Hechos 6:3. In the parable of the soils the good soils "have honest and good heart's," Luke 8:15 Lucas 8:15. One of the requirements to "ascend unto the hill of the Lord" is to have not "sworn deceitfully," Psalms 24:4 Salmo 24:4. In order to translate Oliver Cowdery needed to be honest in heart, D&C 8:1 D&C 8:1. A similar promise is given to Hyrum Smith, D&C 11:10 D&C 11:10.

The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi were "perfectly honest and upright in all things," Alma 27:27 Alma 27:27. Their sons the 2000 stripling warriors were true at all times, Alma 53:20 Alma 53:20. Paul has confidence in the Thessalinians that they will do what they are commanded to do, 2 Thessalonians 3:4 2 Tesalonicenses 3:4. When Job asserted his righteousness he talked about not uttering deceits, Job 27:4 Job 27:4. Also see Job 31:4-6 Job-6. Zeccheaus the tax collector affirmed that if he took anything by false accusation he restored it fourfold, Luke 19:8 Lucas 19:8.

Nephi glories in plainess and truth, 2 Nephi 33:6 2 Nefi 33:6. David hates lying but loves the law of the Lord, Psalms 119:163 Salmo 119:128. "A rigteous man hateth lying," Proverbs 13:5 Proverbios 13:5. We need to know the spirit of truth, 1 John 4:6 1 Juan 4:6.

After the second coming Israel will be righteous and there will be no lies, Zephaniah 3:13 Sofonías 3:13. When Christ comes the the parable of the ten virgins will be fulfilled and those that have not been deceived by the world will be ready to meet the Savior, D&C 45:56-59 D&C 45:56-59. Liars and hypocrites shall be revealed and will not be part of Zion, D&C 64:39 D&C 64:39. The Lord's people will not lie, Isaiah 63:8 Isaías 63:8.

Honest men throughout the world will recognize that the Joseph Smith was an innocent man, D&C 135:7 D&C 135:7.

Honest are blessed

Through keeping the commandments we will be blessed to know all truth, D&C 93:28 D&C 93:28.

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life," Proverbs 15:4 Proverbios 15:4. The same thing in opposite sense is the liars wont have a right to the tree of life, Revelation 22:14-15 Apocalipsis 22:14-15. Liars will not be caught up unto the cloud at the Lord's second coming, D&C 76:102-104 D&C 76:102-104.

"True witness delivereth souls," Proverbs 14:25 Proverbios 14:25.

A husband can trust in a virtuous women, Proverbs 31:10-11 Proverbios 31:10-11. "Righteous lips are the delight of kings." Proverbs 16:13 Proverbios 16:13.

In the last day all lyings and deceivings will be done away, 3 Nephi 21:19 3 Nefi 21:19.

Sometimes we have to pay price to be honest

Joseph Smith was persecuted for telling the truth, Joseph Smith History 1:25 José Smith Historia 1:25. Telling the truth can sometimes make enemies, Galatians 4:16 Gálatas 4:16.

The Godhead is the source of honesty

Don't be deceived rightness comes from Christ and wickedness from the devil, 1 John 3:7-8 1 Juan 3:7-8. This scripture associates godliness and honesty, 1 Timothy 2:2 1 Timoteo 2:2. The Lord's law is a law of truth, Malachi 2:6 Malaquías 2:6.

The Lord is the light and the truth of the world, Ether 4:12 Éter 4:12. The Lord is a God of truth, Deuteronomy 32:4 Deuteronomio 32:4. The Savior is full of light and truth, Moses 1:6 Moisés 1:6. There was no deceit in Christ's mouth, Isaiah 53:9 Isaías 53:9 and Mosiah 14:9 Mosíah 14:9. The Lord is true to his word, Alma 7:20 Alma 7:20. God is a "God of truth and canst not lie," Ether 3:12 Éter 3:12, Enos 1:6 Enós 1:6, Titus 1:2 Tito 1:2, Hebrews 6:18 Hebreos 6:18, and D&C 62:6 D&C 62:6. God is not a man that he should lie, Numbers 23:19 Números 23:19 and 1 Samuel 15:29 1 Samuel 15:29.

The Spirit speaketh the truth in plainness and truth, Jacob 4:13-14 Jacob 4:13-14. The Spirit bearth record of the truth, D&C 1:39 D&C 1:39. The Spirit is truth, 1 John 5:6 1 Juan 5:6.

Pilate asks Jesus what is truth, John 18:37-38 Juan 18:37-38. "Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were ...," D&C 93:24 D&C 93:24. "All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has place it," D&C 93:30 D&C 93:30. "Truth embraceth truth," D&C 88:40 D&C 88:40. "Truth abideth and hath no end," D&C 88:66 D&C 88:66. The word of the Lord is truth, D&C 84:45 D&C 84:45. Truth will sweep the earth, Moses 7:62 Moisés 7:62.

The Lord is a swift witness against false swearers, Malachi 3:5 Malaquías 3:5 and 3 Nephi 24:5 3 Nefi 24:5. A false witness is one of the things the Lord hates, Proverbs 6:16-19 Proverbios 6:16-19. The Lord hates every false way, Psalms 119:128 Salmo 119:128. The Lord hates "false oaths," Zechariah 8:17 Zecarías 8:17. "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD," Proverbs 12:20-22 Proverbios 12:20-22.

False prophets and false Christs

Paul warns about false apostles and ministers, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 2 Corintios 11:13-15. There will be many deceivers that claim to be Christ, Matthew 24:4-5 Mateo 24:4-5, Mark 13:5-6 Marcos 13:5-6, Luke 21:8 Lucas 21:8 and J.S. Matthew 1:5-6 J.S. Mateo 1:5-6. They will deceive the very elect, if possible, Matthew 24:24 Mateo 24:24 and J.S. Matthew 1:22 J.S. Mateo 1:22. There are many false spirits in the earth that deceive, D&C 50:2-3 D&C 50:2-3.

There were false prophets in Jeremiah's time that prophesied lies unto the people, Jeremiah 14:14 Jeremías 14:14. Other false prophets in the old testiment are: Pashur, Jeremiah 20:6 Jeremías 20:6, Hananiah Jeremiah 28:15 Jeremías 28:15 and Shemaiah, Jeremiah 29:30 Jeremías 29:30. All of Ahab's phophets have a lying spirit, 1 Kings 22:22-23 1 Reyes 22:22-23 and 2 Chronicles 18:21-22 2 Chronicles 18:21-22. I would assume that Ahab's prophets were prophets of Baal.

Korihor was deceived by the devil who appeared to him as an angle of light, Alma 30:53 Alma 30:53. He put off the Spirit of God and it was replaced by a lying spirit, Alma 30:42 Alma 30:42.

Revelation for the Church will only come through the prophet, D&C 43:5-7 D&C 43:5-7. Joseph Smith tells us how to detect false messengers from God by offering to shake hands, D&C 129:4-8 D&C 129:4-8.

The only ture Messiah is the one which was rejected by the Jews, 2 Nephi 25:18 2 Nephi 25:18.

The prophet that speakest lies in the name of the Lord will be killed by his own parents, Zechariah 13:3 Zecarías 13:3.

The devil is the father of lies

The devil is the father of lies, Ether 8:25 Éter 8:25 and Moses 4:3-4 Moisés 4:3-4. He became the father of lies, 2 Nephi 2:18 1 Nefi 2:18 and 2 Nephi 9:9 2 Nefi 9:9 (and beguiled our first parents). The devil is a liar from the beginning, D&C 93:25 D&C 93:25. The devil takes away light and truth, D&C 93:39 D&C 93:39. The Devil is the great deceiver, Revelation 12:9 Apocalipsis 12:9.

Cain is the father of Satan's lies, Moses 5:24 Moisés 5:24.

Sheren confesses to the people that he was deceived by the devil and lied unto God, Jacob 7:18-19 Jacob 7:18-19.

Wicked are dishonest

The "guilty taketh the truth to be hard," 1 Nephi 16:2 1 Nefi 16:2 but the righteous accept them 2 Nephi 9:40 2 Nefi 9:40. Also, 2 Nephi 28:28 2 Nefi 28:28.

Evil men get worse and worse and deceive many, 2 Timothy 3:12-14 2 Timoteo 3:12-14.

Deceit is listed as one of the sins of the unrighteous, Romans 1:29 Romanos 1:29. The wicked speak against the Lord with a lying tongue, Psalms 109:2 Salmo 109:2. The wicked change the truth of God into a lie, Romans 1:25 Romanos 1:25. We are not truthful if we walk in darkness yet say we have fellowship with Christ, 1 John 1:6 1 Juan 1:6. Laman and Lemuel accuse Nephi of trying to deceive them, 1 Nephi 16:38 1 Nefi 16:38.

People appear to speak nicely to each other, but are really lying in wait to take advantage of their neighbours, Jeremiah 9:3-8 Jeremías 9:3-8. In the latter days men will speak lies in hypocrisy, 1 Timothy 4:2 1 Timoteo 4:2.

The mouth of the wicked are full of iniquity and deceit, Psalms 36:3 Salmo 36:3 and Psalms 50:19 Salmo 50:19. The wicked give attention to untruths, Proverbs 17:4 Proverbios 17:4.

"The folly of fools is deceit," Proverbs 14:8 Proverbios 14:8. Liars will not be in the first resurrection, D&C 63:17-18 D&C 63:17-18.

Those around a liar are hurt by the untruths, Proverbs 26:22-28 Proverbios 26:22-28.

Watch out for the insincerity of an enemy, Proverbs 27:6 Proverbios 27:6.

The chief priests sought false witness against Jesus, Matthew 26:59 Mateo 26:59, Mark 14:55-56 Marcos 14:55-56 and Acts 6:12 Hechos 6:12.

The wicked like "lying rather than to speak righteousness," Psalms 52:2-3 Salmo 52:2-3.

The creeds of the day are lies inherited from our fathers, D&C 123:7 D&C 123:7.

Many will say we can get away with committing a little sin including lying, 2 Nephi 28:7-9 2 Nefi 28:7-9.

"The counsels of the wicked are deceit," Proverbs 12:5 Proverbios 12:5.

"The wicked worketh a deceitful work," Proverbs 11:18 Proverbios 11:18.

To say we know God and keep not is commandments is a lie, 1 John 2:4-6 1 Juan 2:4-6. Those that deny the Son are liers, 1 John 2:21-23 1 Juan 2:21-23. We make God a lier by not accept his witness of the Son, 1 John 5:9-10 1 Juan 5:9-10. There are many who deny that Christ has come, 2 John 1:7 2 Juan 1:7. He that says he loves God and hates his brother is a liar, 1 John 4:20 1 Juan 4:20.

The Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land because of lying and other sins, Hosea 4:1-3 Oseas 4:1-3.

The wicked destroy the poor with lying words, Isaiah 32:7 Isaías 32:7.

When Paul listed the sins in the last days false accusers was one of them, 2 Timothy 3:1-4 2 Timoteo 3:1-4. Nephi also included bearing false witness when he talked to the people from his garden tower, Helaman 7:21 Helamán 7:21. When the older women are instucted Paul includes not being a false accuser. Titus 2:3 Tito 2:3.

This scripture talks about how Babylon by its sorceries deceived all nations, Revelation 18:23 Apocalipsis 18:23. Since Babylon had already fallen by this time, it almost surely talking about spiritual Babylon. It is also interesting that it talks of the great men and the merchants.

There are numerous examples in scriptures of people being deceived. King Noah caused his people to go astray because of his deceiving and vain words, Mosiah 11:7 Mosíah 11:7. In the days of King Mosiah many people were led away by the flattering words of the unbelievers, Mosiah 26:6 Mosíah 26:6. Amalickiah gained power by fraud and deceit, Alma 48:7 Alma 48:7. The king of the laminites deceives Zeniff by saying his people can live in the land, Mosiah 10:18 Mosíah 10:18. Ananias lied unto God when he sold some land and kept back part of the price, Acts 5:3-4 Hechos 5:3-4. Zeezrom was also discovered lying unto God, Alma 12:3 Alma 12:3, but he repented of his lying words, Alma 14:6 Alma 14:6. Jacob worked for Laban 7 years for Rachel, but instead of Rachel Laban gave him Leah Genesis 29:21-25 Génesis 29:21-25. Also Laban deceived Jacob and changed his wages 10 times, Genesis 31:6-7 Génesis 31:6-7. Maybe this had to happen to Jacob because he deceived Esau in obtaining the birthright and his father's blessing, Genesis 27:32 Génesis 27:32.

Miscellaneous

If Jesus were to say He didn't know God he would be a liar, John 8:55 Juan 8:55.

David pleads to the Lord to deliver him from deceitful enemies Psalms 38:12 Salmo 38:12 and Psalms 43:1 Salmo 43:1. In Psalms 120:2-4 Salmo 120:2-4 The psalmist is pleading with the Lord to deliver him from lying lips and and a deceitful tongue. I am not sure if he is talking about and external enemy or the evil within.

Adam was not deceived but chose to partake of the forbidden fruit knowingly, 1 Timothy 2:14 1 Timoteo 2:14.

During the millennium Satan will not be able to deceive the nations any more Revelation 20:3 Apocalipsis 20:3 and will be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, Revelation 20:10 Apocalipsis 20:10.

The devil convinced many of the people not to believe in the sign of Christ's coming, 3 Nephi 2:1-2 3 Nefi 2:1.

When the Gentiles shall sin against the gospel the fullness of the gospel will be taken from them, 3 Nephi 16:10 3 Nefi 16:10.

False brethren forced the Greeks to be circumcised, Galatians 2:3-4 Gálatas 2:3-4.

"A poor man is better than a liar," Proverbs 19:22 Proverbios 19:22 and "the getting of treasures by a lying tongue is vanity," Proverbs 21:6 Proverbios 21:6.

The lies have made the hearts of the righteous sad, Ezekiel 13:22 Ezequiel 13:22.

Joseph Smith prays that all the lying and slanders against the saints will come to naught, D&C 109:30 D&C 109:30.