19/32
Transcript

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.

What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for his Soul?

Description
Elder Gay talks about integrity and the lesson he learned from his father after being dishonest about his age in order to get extra candy bars at the movies.
Tags

Related Collections