My kids came home from Primary (children’s organization for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nicknamed Mormons) a few weeks ago sporting a new ring on their fingers. It wasn’t the first time they’d received these rings, nor would it be the last. Of course, at only ten cents apiece it’s not too hard for us to replace.
I’m talking The shield is to act as a reminder that when we choose the right, we will be protected against temptation and sin.
This simple, gospel truth is taught to children as early as three and four because it’s never too early to start training someone to make right choices. Not only is this concept taught within church classes, but it should also be taught in the home. Brothers and sisters should be taught how to choose the right way of dealing with one another. Parents should show by example what it means to choose the right. When your children get old enough, lessons should be taught about why it’s important to choose the right.
This concept is taught repeatedly in the scriptures. Consequences for wrong choices as well as right choices are clearly outlined. It’s important to note that even when you choose the right, it doesn’t mean things will always go well. Consider the life of Christ. He always made the right choice, yet He was still reviled, beaten, and eventually crucified. The hard choices and trials of His life never swayed His desire to choose the right.
In the Book of Mormon, another testament of Christ, we can read about two young men, Amulek and Alma, who found people that were following false teachings. Amulek tried to convert them to the true gospel, but found a problem with a man named Zeezrom. Zeezrom was an expert in the devices of the devil and challenged Amulek’s teachings.
“And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word” (Alma 11:34).
Zeezrom proceeded to taunt Amulek, as the wicked will often do to those who desire to choose the right. Amulek’s response, however, shows the strength of his testimony.
“And I shall say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. …
“And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon his the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.
“Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their words” (Alma 11: 31, 40-41).
Amulek converted many over to the Lord’s church. Even Zeezrom, after come serious tribulation and a blessing of healing, repented of his ways and joined.
L. Tom Perry, a member of the Latter-day Saint Church and apostle of God, wrote on the vastness of our choices.
“We live today in a world so full of choices. Television offers both the good and the bad. Bookstores are full of publications offering the right and the wrong. Very few movies are worthy of seeing because of the profanity, violence, and immorality that fill them. Advertising is full of enticements to lead us to violate the Word of Wisdom. Some music, with its monotonous rhythms, beats illicit thoughts into our heads” (L. Tom Perry, “Choose the Right,” Ensign, Nov 1993).
Brother Perry encourages us to “offset the worldly messages that entice us to choose the wrong.” We are taught that to help us along the path the Lord has given us different symbols of purity. One of these symbols is the CTR ring. Of course the emblem itself can be found on more than just a ring. Necklaces, tie tacks, lapel pins can all be found with the initials CTR.
I still wear a CTR ring, though it looks quite a bit different from the first one I received in Primary so many years ago. I like to have the ring for one simple reason. It’s prominent position on my finger is constantly seen, and helps to remind me and those who notice is, that the Lord wants us to choose the right.
