True to the Truth

How can we avoid hypocrisy?

Hypocrisy means to pretend or play a part for others to see that does not reflect our true identity. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of acting with no hypocrisy:

 

“Do we, indeed, actually live the gospel, or do we just manifest the appearance of righteousness so that those around us assume we are faithful when, in reality, our hearts and unseen actions are not true to the Lord’s teachings?

“Do we take on only the ‘form of godliness’ while denying the ‘power thereof’?

“Are we righteous in fact, or do we feign [pretend] obedience only when we think others are watching?

“The Lord has made it clear that He will not be fooled by appearances, and He has warned us not to be false to Him or to others. He has cautioned us to be wary of those who project a false front, who put on a bright pretense that hides a darker reality. We know that the Lord ‘looketh on the heart’ and not on the ‘outward appearance’ ” (“True to the Truth,” Ensign, May 1997, 15–16).