My secretarial position requires me to be alone with my boss in his office at all hours. Actually, nothing at all is going on, but I wonder sometimes if indiscretion is itself a sin. It’s a very good job in terms of pay and valuable business experience.

“Even if nothing is happening, the prophet has told us to avoid even the appearance of evil. Also, although you think nothing is happening, how do you know what your boss is feeling?”

Robert Charles Ackroyd, Age 16
Raymond, Alberta, Canada

“Some people will talk about anything and will spread gossip when there is no truth in it whatsoever. As Latter-day Saints we should be careful of situations we get into because they can look bad when we are innocent. If you have a clear conscience and you let your boss know that your standards are high, you should not regret your position nor fear working closely with your boss. Actually, you are your best critic and judge. If you feel that you are in a bad situation, then you should quit; otherwise, don’t worry about your position as his secretary.”

Darrel Blair, Brenda Wilson, Lezli Park, Ann Park, Cathy Millerd, Fay Perschka
Atlanta, Georgia

“A secretary, especially a private secretary, must work on a very close one-to-one basis with her boss. No matter how much talk could and often does come out of such situations, I have always noticed that those girls who obviously uphold high standards of modesty and morality are never snickered at in this relationship. If a girl is an obvious flirt and dresses to advertise her feminine qualities, then she will be talked about even if she goes into the boss’s office for only five seconds at a time. A girl who carries herself well, is friendly and charming without being a flirt, dresses to please her Father in heaven, and commands the respect of those around her will never be the subject of lead-ins to dirty jokes or even thoughts.

“There are several things that can be done to insure discretion. A talk with an understanding boss is the first way to clear up any problems and the quickest way to arrive at satisfactory solutions. However, if you feel that he cannot be approached about it, then whenever you go into his office, leave the door slightly ajar on the pretext of hearing visitors when they enter your office. This is good to do anyway. Most important of all, command the respect of your boss so that he would never do anything toward you that would cause either of you to lose the respect of each other or those around you.”

Patricia Stewart, Age 22
Las Vegas, Nevada