Examples...

So, I have made several trips between Utah and California the last couple months as I have been working in Utah and trying to get my family moved out here from California. That being said, most of my trips have been very smooth. I have been delayed only once and sat in the airport for a couple hours but that was pleasant.

What I wanted to talk about is my last trip, it was from Oakland to Salt Lake City. Now, I am not as naive to think that everyone who gets on the plane is LDS. In fact, quite the contrary, with all the travel plans and layovers, etc...you never know who is going to be on the plane.

That being said, after I boarded a young man got on the plain next to me. When he sat down, he set a bag in the seat as he prepared to put his bag away. That's when I noticed the BYU Idaho logo and his "eternal smile." Initially, I thought it was neat and thought I would strike up a conversation. Things didn't go as planned.

As we began to Taxi, the pilot announced to shut off all electronic devices. The young man pulled out his phone and instead of shutting it off placed a phone call. The stewardess walked by and asked him to turn it off. He talked for another 30 seconds, then...hung up and made another phone call. Again, the stewardess asked him to turn the phone off. She was a little more stern. But the young man talked for another minute or so. He hung up the phone as the stewardess headed back our way. However, instead of hanging up the phone, he cradled it by his left leg (away from the aisle) and began texting on it. I was actually floored by his disregard. The people across the row from us noticed him at this point also.

That's not the end of the story...

During the flight, he pulled out his laptop and began working on it. About 15 minutes prior to landing, they announced to turn off all electronic devices again to prepare to land. He ignored it completely. he continued to work until the stewardess asked him to turn off his laptop. He didn't and faked turning it off, by shutting the laptop slightly and waiting until she was out of view and continued working. She had to come by again and he avoided eye contact eventually, putting the device away, just moments before landing.

I have to say, that I do not know if he was LDS, and it really doesn't matter. What matters is that the examples we set are always viewed by others and right or wrong, it leaves a lasting impression on them.