Patriots to the Cause of a Happy Home and Community

Once a man hired a construction contractor to build him a home. A grand home fit for a king with all the comforts and luxuries that money can buy. The main stipulation to the proposed contract was that only the best premium materials were to be used. The contractor looked over the specifications and layout of the home and agreed to build the edifice. The owner prepaid the price in full and both were satisfied. So work immediately began.

The contractor kept to the time line and work progressed impressively. After a while the contractor noticed that the owner wasn't coming around to regularly inspect the home. Calming his own fears he would have the owner meet with him at the construction site a couple times a week. The walk through went fine but with little questioning from the owner. The owner would make his smile then drive off the building site. As time drew on the contractor figured that the owner may not be as serious about the workmanship of the home as he had thought. Using that as a basis he then began to take short cuts and to use cheaper materials. He strayed from his true nature as a craftsman in order to maximize his return on the contract for less expense on materials.

The day came that all the finishing touches were made and all looked cosmetically sound and of impeccable quality. The owner came down and inspected the home. After the final inspection was made the contractor asked the owner on what he thought of the home. The owner then said that the home wasn't for himself but for the contractor. He then signed over the paperwork and gave it to him.

We truly reap what we sow. This man sought to deceive, even after the price had been paid, but in the end found out that he was building his own grand home out of the efforts and materials he, himself, initiated. Now, knowing of the fruits of his labors he holds the keys to the mansion he built.

Though this is a parable of a life lesson it's a lesson that we need to hear much more often. It is directly tied to happiness. If we are to maintain a higher standard of character and living we must be worthy by holding tight to our integrity and not deviating from that course. We are known in southwest Iowa for a great workforce. By exceeding expectations in labor and character we further invite more business into our community.

More importantly, by being true to oneself we help ensure happiness in the home. Marriages will be saved, children will have esteem and do better in school and the workplace will have joy.

The parable outlined is owed to Elder Ward of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a profound parable modified in modern terms that's easily understood.

Let's let Shenandoah and the surrounding communities shine with a bright hope in the future by justifying our homes with renewed integrity and assured diligence in making them temples held sacred for all time.