It was once said, “It is [It’s] better to be trusted than loved.” (David O. McKay)

Well, with that in mind, I would like to share a story about integrity, and the kind of grit and determination it takes to maintain it in today’s world.

Lyman didn’t think his pants were worn out, but his wife insisted they were. So, she sent him to the department store to get a new pair, and she told him not to come back until he did.

Well, after trying on several, Lyman found a pair that suited him, and he went and paid for them. As he went to pocket the change, however, he noticed that the clerk had given him ten dollars too much. Immediately he turned back and told the clerk he’d given him too much change, to which the clerk responded he didn’t make those kind of mistakes.

Lyman explained that he had only had a twenty bill when he came in, and now he had new pants and fifteen dollars in change. Something wasn’t right here. Again, the clerk refused the money and told Lyman he must have had an extra ten dollars in his pocket he didn’t know about.

Now at this point, I’m sure most of us would say, ‘Okay, fine! I tried! You don’t want my money? I’ll keep it!’

But Lyman wasn’t like most of us. One more time he argued with that clerk, but the stubborn clerk still refused to admit his mistake. Finally, and I suppose a little exasperated, Lyman said, “This ten dollars is not mine and I will not take it. You can put it in your till or you can put it in your pocket, but you can’t make me dishonest for ten dollars.” And with that, he laid it on the counter and walked out.