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Sadly, some of the greatest missing values in today’s world are honesty and integrity. In the past few years an increasing number of business leaders have been exposed for dishonesty and other forms of bad behavior. As a result, tens of thousands of loyal, long-term employees have lost their livelihoods and pensions. For some this has resulted in loss of homes, change of education and other life plans. We read and hear of widespread cheating in our schools, with more concern about receiving a grade or degree than learning and preparation. We hear of students who have cheated their way through medical school and are now performing complicated procedures on their patients. The elderly and others are victims of scam artists, often resulting in the loss of homes or life savings. Always this dishonesty and lack of integrity are based on greed, arrogance, and disrespect.

For many, even those who have started out with good intentions, the earnest pursuit of riches too easily gives way to greed. This phenomenon is known as the Frog Principle. It is said that if a frog were dropped into a pan of boiling water it would immediately jump out to save its life. However, if that same frog were placed in a pan of cold water and the heat was gradually turned up, the amphibian would stay put until cooked.

When pursuing wealth for the wrong reasons, it is very easy for the Frog Principle to take over. The process of accumulating a large enough bank account to acquire that “nice car” whets the appetite for a fur coat, then jewelry to go with the fur coat, then a better house to go with the car, then better furniture to go with the house. All of this requires more and more money until a person’s appetite for luxury devolves into a spirit of avarice.

This Frog Principle illustrates just how subtle greed can be. In recent years, Church members have had cause to ask searching questions upon news that some of their acquaintances, even family members, have been made victims of scams and fraud. Far too often some have even been the perpetrators of these criminal activities.

The questions and comments exhibit concern and surprise. “Has he always been a crook?” they ask. “He seemed such a nice, generous, thoughtful man, how could he be so dishonest?” “Didn’t he know he was doing wrong?” “Was it someone else who made him do it?” “We grew up together; I never dreamed he could do such a thing.”

It is the Frog Principle at work. People sometimes encounter and fall victim to it as they pursue their careers. When first starting work with an organization, some receive propositions to do certain things so unethical that they dismiss the idea with a resolute “never.” As time passes, however, they may slip into deeds that are barely questionable.

At first, they may distort the truth only slightly—through overstatement, understatement, or omission of a bit of information. Such actions are easily justified with, “That’s the way things are done here.” From there, it’s only a small step to a minor cover-up to preserve the organization’s (or their own) reputation of being reliable or honest or knowledgeable. “It was only a small mistake I made, but it’s so embarrassing. I don’t believe anyone will know if I handle it right. I can imply that I was led to believe it should be done this way, or I really thought that it was Jerry’s responsibility.”