The Savior once asked his disciples the following question. "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" This is a question that my father taught me to carefully consider, years ago. As I was growing up, my parents assigned me chores around the house and paid me an allowance for that work. I often used that money, a little over $0.50 a week, to go to the movies. Back then, a movie ticket cost $0.25 for an 11-year-old. This left me with $0.25 to spend on candy bars, which cost $0.05 apiece. A movie with five candy bars. It couldn't get much better than that.

All was well, until I turned 12. Standing in line one afternoon, I realized that the ticket price for a 12-year-old was $0.35 and that meant two less candy bars.

Not quite prepared to make that sacrifice, I reasoned to myself, you look the same as you did a week ago. I then stepped up and asked for the $0.25 ticket. The cashier did not blink. And I bought my regular five candy bars instead of three. Elated by my accomplishment, I later rushed home to tell my dad about my big coup.

As I poured out the details, he said nothing. When I finished, he simply looked at me and said, "Son, would you sell your soul for a nickel?" His words pierced my 12-year-old heart. It is a lesson I have never forgotten.