2013
Strength to Not Swear
January 2013


“Strength to Not Swear,” New Era, Jan. 2013, 46

Strength to Not Swear

Emma B., Alberta, Canada

Image
young women at school

Illustration by Roger Motzkus

Once after a Mia Maid lesson on virtue, my class did a project where we chose a symbol to represent virtue so we would remember to keep to our standards, and we put that symbol on a necklace. I chose the heart as my symbol, because it reminds me of the love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. I wear the necklace all the time because of what it represents for me. When I am tempted to do wrong, my heart necklace reminds me to stay true to my values.

I am the only person in my grade at school who is a member of the Church. One young woman I met during summer school used bad language, and when I told her about my faith, she surprisingly ceased using inappropriate language around me. No one else in my class responded that way.

One day in math, a young woman I’ve known since last year wanted to hear me swear, just to see how the teacher reacted. I told her I do not use inappropriate language, but she kept pressuring me. At first I was tempted to use her words against her, but when my hand touched the familiar heart around my neck, I knew I couldn’t fall into temptation. Instead, I told her that no matter how hard she tries, I would be true to my standards. As I talked, she seemed amazed that I stood up for what I believe in. She left me alone after that.

I know we can stand up for what is right. If we always try to remember virtue and our God, we will not go astray.