Have you given much thought to character? How do you define it? Do you have it? There is a humorous adage that reminds us that "being a character is not the same as having character."

In the books of Moses and Genesis, we read of Noah who lived in a time when the earth had reached a pinnacle of corruption. (See Moses 8:28-29.)

One of the more evident signs of this corruption was the standard by which men were seeking to be judged. "And our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto men of old, men of great renown." (Moses 8:21.)

Everyone around Noah was caught up in seeking the honors of men. We see the same condition evident in our world today. Many people aspire to positions that men of the world would have us admire, to be "men of great renown." Too often, we give too much admiration to executive titles. There is a lesson to be learned from the sad story of a woman who married and then divorced a man with just such a title. She lamented that she regretfully discovered that the man she had married lacked honor and virtue and that she had mistaken credentials for character.

Perhaps we can learn a different lesson from athletes participating in the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games. Each athlete has around her or his neck an "Olympic Credential" to certify their status and allow them entry into events and secure areas. They have earned these credentials through hard work, by overcoming physical and emotional challenges, through commitment to their goals and by meeting and winning their competitive challenges. Nobody can or will mistake their credentials for character. Most of these athletes have both.

It would seem that having character consists of living the principles of righteousness, which include such things as being honest in our dealings with our neighbors and family, keeping promises (covenants), showing love to our fellow men, being honest with ourselves and others. Perhaps one small test of character is avoiding temptation when we think no one is watching. A bigger test is courageously doing the right thing when all those around us are going in a different direction.

Such was the condition that Noah found himself confronting. He courageously lived the gospel and tried to teach principles of righteousness to save his neighbors. And when all else failed, he followed the commandment to prepare a place of refuge for his family amid scorn and mockery by his neighbors. Without question, Noah serves as an exemplar of a man with great character.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, tragic attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York City, there was a now-famous picture taken of three firefighters lifting an American flag on the flagpole that once stood atop one of those magnificent buildings. One caption that has been attached to this image came from paraphrasing a quote in the American magazine, Sports Illustrated. It reads, "Character is going up the stairs when the rest of the world is coming down." Hundreds of firefighters and policemen made the ultimate sacrifice to duty and commitment as they risked their lives to save the lives of others. Commitment to duty and character link arm in arm.

Latter-day Saint pioneer heritage is rooted in courageous and selfless acts. One historic account records that when Brigham Young sent volunteers to bring relief to saints suffering and dying in the cold of Wyoming, three young priesthood holders waded back and forth through the freezing river waters and carried nearly the entire company to the safe shore. Character and courage are bound together.

When we retrospectively look in the mirror, do we see a person willing to overcome the world? Does our character stand the test of courage and commitment so that we will be able to go up the stairs when the rest of the world is coming down? Do we justify our credentials with character?

It is because of the Savior's atonement and by obedience to His teachings that we can feel the joy of seeing in our mirror of retrospect a person of character who is a reflection of Noah: "And thus Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; for Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation; and he walked with God." (Moses 8:27.)