By JENNY RICKS
President Cecil O. Samuelson stressed the importance of integrity at the devotional on Tuesday.
Sister Sharon Samuelson also spoke and shared a talk on the significance on family names.
'Above all else, you need to protect your integrity,' President Samuelson said. 'Preserve it, keep it, honor it and protect it.'
Thousands of students piled into the Marriott Center Tuesday morning for the first devotional of the fall semester.
Pres. Samuelson welcomed students, both new and old to BYU's campus. He praised students for improvements made in the areas of sportsmanship and controlling debt.
'I want to talk about some of the chalk circles we should draw around ourselves,' he said.
He gave three definitions for integrity: soundness, adherence to a code of values and completeness. President Samuelson talked about how some individuals believe these definitions to be 'old-fashioned,' and said the issue of integrity is not one that should be dated.
Pres. Samuelson pointed out some of the top integrity issues currently affecting BYU campus.
The first two items discussed were plagiarism and cheating, and he cited studies that show three-fourths of individuals in high school admitted to cheating.
Other issues of integrity at BYU include resume padding - an issue sounding relatively new to some - and downloading music illegally. President Samuelson emphasized that just because it seems everyone is doing it does not make it a justifiable act.
Stealing and giving false information were the next issues discussed. Pres. Samuelson gave an example of leaving unpaid bills for other tenants or roommates to take care of as a form of stealing.
He re-emphasized the importance of following the dress and grooming standards - a topic he also discussed in a devotional in January.
President Samuelson was careful to point out that these seven issues are not the only ones affecting BYU. He said there are many variations stemming off of the ones mentioned that students need to be aware of.
'The Honor Code is seen as a set of rules, but it is much more. It's an attitude,' he said.
He continued to talk about the importance of the Honor Code and said students have the choice to come to BYU or go to some other institution without a code to abide by. President Samuelson talked about how essential it is for students choosing BYU to follow the Honor Code.
'You must not compromise your integrity by promising what you cannot do,' Pres. Samuelson said.
Sister Samuelson's talk paralleled with President Samuelson's, as she discussed the obligation of living up to family names.
'Each of you here today has your own history,' she said.
Sister Samuelson shared a personal experience of learning about her ancestors from a family history book she received.
'We are a compilation of what our ancestors were,' she said.
She said it is possible that any blessings received may be a direct result of the actions of those who came before us.
Sister Samuelson posed the question, 'What are we doing with our names?' She explained the value of a name by saying a name and reputation are inseparable, and a good name and reputation are priceless.
Sister Samuelson ended her talk by pointing out that students represent their families, communities and BYU. She also said there is another name we must take upon ourselves, and that is the name of Christ.