CTR - Choose The Right - and more!

The phrase "choose the right" does not appear in the scriptures. It was the title and theme of a hymn written by early LDS member Joseph Townsend about 1890. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the general Primary leaders of the Church adopted the slogan to help teach children. The familiar logo with initials on a shield became iconic, as inexpensive rings were given to each child to help them remember the simple motto. And though simple,  what a glorious and powerful message it is:

Choose the right, when a choice is placed before you.
In the right, the Holy Spirit guides. (Hymns, #239)

In more recent years, it's become popular for older youth and even adults to wear rings and jewelry that use the CTR symbol,  and various styles of the ring (including expensive, higher quality ones) are available to purchase. Many lives have been blessed as the ring or the song have helped remind both youth and adults to make good and wise choices, after seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance.

MEANING BEHIND THE SYMBOL

While I appreciate the CTR acronym and its symbolism in helping remind us to Choose The Right, on one occasion I was led to ponder other possible back-formations of the CTR acronym—what else could those letters stand for, or how else might they be applied? As other phrases came to mind, each brought insights and made me even more grateful and impressed by the power of the CTR symbol. At different times and in different situations, seeing the CTR acronym might be a helpful reminder of one of these other concepts.

1. CELEBRATE THE RESTORATION
In 2005, I had the privilege to speak at a local fireside on the 175th anniversary of the organization of the Church. For a conference of young single adults, we had chosen the theme "Celebrate the Restoration" and someone noticed the CTR connection. It was wonderful to commemorate those events and rejoice in the blessings that the restored Gospel brought to each of our lives. The CTR acronym seemed natural to "borrow" for the conference. We were truly grateful to celebrate on that occasion, recognizing how our lives had been effected and blessed by the events of the latter-day restoration.

2. CHOOSE TO REPENT
Perhaps the hardest, perhaps the most important choice we make is the one to repent. Every time we make that choice, heaven rejoices (see D&C 18:13) and our personal growth leaps ahead. Repentance needs to be a continual, even daily process if we want growth to be a continual and daily process!

3. CURRENT TEMPLE RECOMMEND
This was one of the most obvious links to the CTR acronym. It's a message that we've heard frequently from our leaders as they have tried to help us understand the importance, both of temple service, and our efforts to follow the standard of worthiness established for us. Consider this memorable excerpt from President Hunter:

"It would be the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church be temple worthy. I would hope that every adult member would be worthy of—and carry—a current temple recommend, even if proximity to a temple does not allow immediate or frequent use of it."
- Howard W. Hunter, "The Great Symbol of Our Membership," Ensign, Oct. 1994, 5

It's been wonderful to see this emphasis extend even to our youth today, for each of them to be worthy of, and to make frequent use of, a current temple recommend.

4. COME TO RECEIVE

The are many situations in our spiritual life when we have the choice about how we will respond to an opportunity. Both of the verbs in this phrase are important. First of all, we must come. We elect to participate in the  opportunity. But then in addition, we must receive. We are active participants, even if only watching and listening. It's up to us to approach each experience with the attitude that we have something to learn, some insight to gain, some way to grow. A CTR message is an invitation to make the most of each opportunity, recognizing the potential that is there even in what may appear to be a mundane or routine event.

5. COVENANT TO REMEMBER

One of the most tender yet crucial principles of the gospel is reinforced each week as we partake of the sacrament in our worship services. A critical part of those sacramental covenants is that we "always remember Him" so that we may "always have His spirit to be with" us.

Our "Covenant To Remember" is the critical prerequisite to receiving, and retaining, one of the greatest blessings promised to us. As we "always remember Him" we are able to more fully "keep His commandments which He has given them," and then our lives are blessed immeasurably by that gift of Divine presence.

6. CHERISH TODAY'S REVELATION

There are two ways this phrase speaks to my soul.  First of all, while I love and appreciate all the teachings of the prophets, I truly cherish the current, living oracles above all others. Their instructions, warning, and counsel are for my time and my challenges. I'm eager to listen and learn, and know I am blessed as I heed the counsel.

But in addition, I seek for my own inspiration and revelation. I believe I can receive personal guidance directly from God and through the Holy Ghost to bless my life. This revelation is especially cherished, and I love the encouragement to seek for it more actively.

7. COMMIT TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

Church leaders have occasionally taught and encouraged about the principle of deciding once to avoid sin or commit to righteous acts. For example, President Kimball encouraged youth in this way:

"Now may I make a recommendation? Develop discipline of self so that, more and more, you do not have to decide and redecide what you will do when you are confronted with the same temptation time and time again. You only need to decide some things once!...

"Likewise, my dear young friends, the positive things you will want to accomplish need only be decided upon once—like going on a mission and living worthily in order to get married in the temple—and then all other decisions related to these goals can fall into line. Otherwise, each consideration is risky, and each equivocation may result in error. There are some things Latter-day Saints do, and other things we just don't do. The sooner you take stands, the taller you will be!"

- Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball Speaks Out on Planning Your Life," New Era, Sept. 1981, p. 50

I love this principle. Once the decision is made, if the commitment is strong, "then all other decisions related to these goals can fall into line." President Boyd K. Packer shared his version of the principle:

"I also have come to know the power of truth and of righteousness and of good, and I want to be good. I'm not ashamed to say that—I want to be good. And I've found in my life that it has been critically important that this was established between me and the Lord so that I knew that He knew which way I committed my agency. I went before Him and in essence said, 'I'm not neutral, and You can do with me what You want. If You need my vote, it's there. I don't care what You do with me, and You don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you—everything, all I own, all I am.' And that makes the difference."
  - Boyd K. Packer, "To Those Who Teach in Troubled Times", seminary and institute conference, Summer 1970; see 'That All May Be Edified' p. 272

This is not blind obedience; it's whole-hearted obedience! It's a Commitment To Righteousness that changes every aspect of life.

8. CULTIVATE TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS

We are not meant to be alone in this mortal life. We are deeply blessed by family relationships, by friendship that strengthens and elevates, by bearing one another's burdens, by knowing there are others who will help to bear our burdens when we feel tired or inadequate. Those kinds of relationships of love and trust, whether in the family or out of it, don't typically just appear out of nowhere, and they certainly don't remain without some effort. They have to be nurtured and cultivated. It takes time, effort, mutual willingness, and love.

9. CONTINUE TO REJOICE

There should be much to be happy about in life. Joseph Smith, in spite of many troubles and tribulations, counseled: 'Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.' (D&C 128:22.) Not just a little glad — exceedingly glad.

I believe that joy comes when we have the Lord's spirit in our lives, and feel the fullness of the blessings of the Atonement (see, for example, Alma 22:15). In the midst of any situation in life, there is always reason to rejoice! It's only when we lose our eternal perspective that we forget the greatness of His gifts to us, and the ultimate promises of peace and safety as we are "encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Ne 1:15).

10. CHRIST THE REDEEMER

Surely there's not a more valuable reminder that we could wear on a finger or view regularly, than to recall the importance of Christ The Redeemer in our lives. For those of us who have chosen to accept His gospel message and strive to respond to the invitation He issued to "come follow me," He most certainly is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

As we strive to be His disciples by following in that way, we are blessed by His love. We learn to share His yoke, discovering that it is "easy" and that burdens become light (see Matthew 11:28-30). Gradually, as we more fully take His name upon us and learn of Him, we become more like Him. And that is the goal and purpose in life for every Christian.

The author with his CTR headband

CONCLUSION

"Choose The Right" is a simple and beautiful summary of an important Gospel principle: using agency wisely. If we do that fully and completely, we have nothing to worry about. I love the traditional CTR symbolism as taught to children in the Church.

I'm also grateful for the many ways I have found encouragement and help in other interpretations; these are only a few of what came to my mind. I invite readers to come up with ideas of their own, and share them with me!