on my honor essay questions

"On My Honor" Quiz

By Marion Dane Bauer

realistic fiction | 96 pages | Published in NaN

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Test your knowledge about the book "On My Honor". We have come up with 10 quiz questions for the book. Hit play and start testing your knowledge. Each correctly answered question gives one point.

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Essay questions

These essay questions are meant to be used as a starting point for your essay or research paper.

• How does Tony's perception of his actions and their consequences change throughout the novel?
• Discuss the role of friendship in 'On My Honor' and how it influences the characters' decisions.
• In what ways does the setting of the novel contribute to the overall mood and themes of the story?
• Examine the relationship between Tony and his father, and how it evolves as the plot unfolds.
• What are the key events that lead to the climax of the story, and how do they impact the characters' development?
• Analyze the significance of the title 'On My Honor' in relation to the characters' actions and beliefs.
• Discuss the author's use of symbolism and imagery to convey important themes in the novel.

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Albert Dorman Honors College

Tips for Writing an Honors College Essay

Writing an Honors College Essay (Max. 400 words)

A college essay is a chance for you to tell us what all your records cannot: who you really are, how you think, and how well you write. It is not an invitation to tell a story, write a novel, or write about other people's experiences. The main point of your essay is to tell us what you have to offer and how you will take advantage of what we have to offer .

• Write an essay that addresses the topic specified  on the application form. A general essay about yourself or an experience you had is not acceptable.
• Do not write your essay as if it were a novel. "The baby cried until it had to be comforted by its mother;" "I could not believe as I walked into my first class that this was the beginning of my engineering career." These tell us nothing about yourself. Regardless of what you may have been told in school, write a straightforward descriptive essay that directly addresses the question asked.
• Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing, such as "I want to help people." This is particularly applicable to essays for accelerated program candidates.
• Do not quote our own description of our program. We know what we have to offer; we are interested in knowing what you have to offer and how you will use what we offer . Tell us about your interests and why the Albert Dorman Honors College is the right place for you.

On My Honor Essay Contest

This essay contest aims to educate and raise awareness of the principles and standards of the honor code while simultaneously encouraging honor and personal integrity through applying its principles..

The theme of Honor Week 2022 is On My Honor . Students are invited to participate in a personal narrative writing contest. Prizes will be given to the best personal narrative. Students must be creative in their writing to show their understanding of the theme and to connect it to their own lives. They should include their thoughts and ideas on why the principles and standards of the Honor Code are applicable at BYUH and, at the same time, maintain the honor and integrity of our students. A panel will review all submissions and award the best creative writings.

First Place: $300 Second Place: $200 Third Place: $100

• The essay must connect the theme: "On My Honor" and the principles and standards of BYU–Hawaii Honor Code.
• Be creative and include personal reflections/experiences.
• Have a creative title that reflects the purpose of the essay.
• Be authentic. Use your own words to expand on your ideas.
• Have clear writing and good grammar.
• The contest is open to all BYU-Hawaii students enrolled in the Fall 2022 Semester.
• The essay should be approximately 700 to 1000 words.
• Send your essay online on our submission page .
• Submit your writing in either a word document or a PDF file.
• Submission deadline: Saturday, September 10, 2022, by 9:00 pm
• BYU–Hawaii Honor Code website: honorcode.byuh.edu
• “ On My Honor ,” by President Spencer W. Kimball.
• “ The Power of Small and Simple Things ,” by President Steven C. Wheelwright.
• “ Your Personal Integrity ,” by Sister Monica Kauwe

Important Dates

Starting Date of Submission: Monday, August 29. Submission Deadline: Saturday, September 10 by 9:00 pm. Announcing the Winners: September 15.

“On My Honor,” New Era, Feb. 2006, 10–13

On My Honor

By Vaughn J. Featherstone

Living the Scout Oath will help you become the kind of man God can use in building His kingdom.

Several years ago at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the participants were expressing gratitude to the ranch chairman, who happened to be me. They had asked my son, Scott, married with children, to say something. He came up on the stand, dressed in his Scout uniform, stood in front of me, raised his arm to the square in the Scout sign, and said:

“Dad, on my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight” (see Boy Scout Handbook, Boy Scouts of America [1998]). He said it with sincerity and as an oath, tears glistening, his voice filled with emotion. I knew he meant it with all his heart and soul.

The Scout Oath and Law

Before you take an oath, it’s important to know what it means. “On my honor” means that we will keep the oath—that our honor depends upon it. If we fail to keep the Scout Oath, we are violating a solemn promise. It continues, “… to do my duty to God.” This means, from a Church point of view, that we attend Church, pay tithing, accept callings, honor the priesthood, keep God’s commandments, and keep the standards of dress and conduct. Then the oath states, “… and my country.” Wherever we live in the world we should do our duty to our country by obeying the laws, sustaining good leaders, honoring the flag, and being good citizens.

An important part of the oath states, “… to obey the Scout Law.” The Scout Law is a wonderful model for life.

Be Trustworthy and Loyal

A Scout is trustworthy. Imagine if every Scout practiced this first principle of the Scout Law with all his heart. There are millions of Boy Scouts and leaders around the world. What a dramatic impact we could have on those around us if we all were trustworthy.

Each principle of the Scout Law is a sermon and demands action if we would live and practice the oath we take: a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

A Scout who takes the Scout Oath weekly should remember it is something he is committing his soul to. Imagine what a blessing it is to be loyal to Scouting, family, Church, country, and friends!

Be Friendly and Obedient

We take an oath to be friendly, kind, and courteous. At a national jamboree a 12-year-old Scout got separated from his patrol. He was standing alone in a sea of Scouts and about to break into tears. An older Scout saw him and went over and introduced himself. “I have a gift for you,” the older boy said. “It is a hand-carved bolo tie. A great Scouter, Bill Burch, carved it. He numbers each one. He has carved over 40,000.”

The older Scout presented the tie to the young scared Scout. About that time the patrol found the boy. They gathered around him, and for a few moments he was the center of attention with his new bolo tie. The tears had disappeared; he felt important. The older Scout had truly been friendly.

Not one of the 12 points mentioned in the Scout Law is selfish; the prophets of God in the Book of Mormon and other scriptures have taught each point. I believe the Scout Oath is an inspired oath for all young men.

For example, to be obedient is a great and wonderful blessing. It is a privilege to be obedient. It is not a “have to do” because of the standards; it is a “get to do.” We really are free when we are obedient to God’s commandments and to the Scout Law.

Be Cheerful and Thrifty

It is a blessing, as well, to be cheerful. I recall Elder Loren C. Dunn (1930–2001) of the Seventy several years ago suggesting in a talk “that a certain man looked like he had been weaned on lemon juice through a dill pickle.” Cheerfulness is contagious and is a strong positive influence for good. People enjoy being around others who are happy. In Proverbs we read, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” ( Prov. 15:13 ). Also it states, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” ( Prov. 17:22 ).

If being cheerful is good for the soul, being thrifty is good for our financial well-being. Wastefulness and indulgence are not of God. They are negative influences and have serious consequences on us by and by. When we are thrifty we are self-reliant, able to be free to assist those in need. Scouting instructs us to be wise with our resources.

Be Brave, Clean, and Reverent

Profound knowledge and direction come from the Scout Law. A Scout is brave, clean, and reverent. Bravery is usually not sensational, although it may be. Bravery is manifest in many small acts, such as defending a young man against those who would mock or physically abuse him. It is standing up for an ideal and letting your voice be heard.

Bravery is a trait every young man can develop. It is based on love for others more than safety for self. One Venturer Scout who is blind signed up to go on a hike in southern California with his Scout troop. They hiked to Lord Baden Powell Peak over a steep trail. The young man held on to the shirt of a fellow Boy Scout every step of the way. It was a long hike and took two full days. This boy did not complain, did not seek pity, just kept grinding on and on until they came to the trail’s end. Equally as brave was the Scout who volunteered to lead his friend over a steep and challenging trail. He felt honored to help.

The traits of cleanliness and reverence complement each other. To be clean refers to body cleanliness, clean clothing, being well groomed and wearing appropriate attire.

To be reverent demands that we acknowledge God, that by our actions we express our devotion to Him. Reverence for the Lord has a profound impact on our conduct, our language, our personal prayers, and our standards. It is interesting that reverence is the 12th point in the Scout Law. It sums up all the others. Violating any of the other 11 points would be irreverent.

Help Others

We declare in the Scout Oath that we will “help other people at all times.” A 12-year-old Scout went to troop meeting at Mutual one Tuesday evening. When Mutual was over, he did not show up at home for about an hour and a half. His parents were concerned and were about to go look for him when he came through the door. “Where have you been?” the anxious father asked.

“One of the members of the bishopric was putting up the chairs all alone,” he replied. “You remember my patriarchal blessing states, ‘You were born to serve your fellow men.’ I stayed and helped him put away all the chairs. I sure love him.”

We do love those we serve. Imagine millions of men and boys helping other people at all times.

Be True to the Scout Oath

If we are true to the oath, we will also keep ourselves “physically strong.” We will eat wholesome foods, stay in good physical condition, and not abuse this wonderful body we have. Physical health brings happiness. It increases our capabilities in so many ways.

The Scout Oath includes being “mentally awake.” We must have good health to be mentally awake. Our eyes reflect whether we are awake or not. To be mentally awake we must see what is going on around us. We must be alert and aware.

The oath concludes with being “morally straight,” which means we do not deviate or compromise standards of chastity, virtue, or wholesomeness. We stand on higher ground and remain morally clean. A Scout who makes an oath that he will be morally straight is duty bound to live that way. The Scout Oath prepares us for the priesthood oath and covenant. Virtue is an essential part of our priesthood oath.

Think with me about President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Thomas S. Monson, and President James E. Faust taking the Scout Oath. Can you think of anything in the oath that they are not living daily? Do the other great men you know—your fathers, bishops, stake presidents, seminary teachers, and Scout leaders—live in harmony with the Scout Oath? They do.

Fellow Scouts, remember the sacredness of an oath. It is violated only to the detriment of your character. By living the Scout Oath and preparing for the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood, you are truly preparing yourself to serve God, your fellow man, your family, and your community. Taking the Scout Oath is a sacred trust endorsed by the First Presidency. Living the Scout Oath will help you become the kind of man God can use in building His kingdom on earth.

Photography by Christina Smith

I Will Do My Best, by Norman Rockwell

A Guiding Hand, by Norman Rockwell

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King Charles Posts Pics & Message for Sister Princess Anne’s Birthday—But I Noticed Something Striking About One Particular Photo

Hmm, interesting.

Happy happy birthday to the one and only Princess Anne , who turns 74 years old today!

To commemorate the special occasion, the Princess Royal’s older brother, King Charles (who is still undergoing treatment for cancer ), posted a collage filled with photos of himself and his sister on the royal family’s Instagram Story . “Wishing the Princess Royal a very happy birthday [birthday cake emoji],” the monarch captioned the post.

One throwback photo shows a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne sitting side by side on the ground. The future king (who looks no older than ten) is beaming next to his younger sister, who smiles widely while wearing a ruffled dress. 

Meanwhile, the third photo was snapped in June 2023, where King Charles and Princess Anne presented the new Sovereign's Standard to The Blues and Royals during a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. The brother-sister duo were photographed together sporting traditional military attire, with a blue sash and an array of ceremonial medals embroidered across the front of the jacket. 

But it was the second photo in the collage that instantly captured my attention, which was taken during Princess Anne’s appearance at the Not Forgotten Association garden party a few months back.

But why did this particular photo stand out? The princess looks so much like her late mother, Queen Elizabeth , when she smiles. The hardest working royal truly embodied the late monarch as she interacted with guests, moving with such grace and elegance as her mom once did. See an example below:

I hope you enjoy your special day, Princess Anne. 

Another British Royal Just Sat for a TV Interview—and I’m Kinda Surprised By Who it Is

Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here .

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On My Honor

50 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Before You Read

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

“[H]e didn’t know what kept him and Tony together except that, after Tony, other kids seemed boring.” 

The deep bond Joel and Tony have forged over the years despite their contrasts shows how important they are to each other even though they argue. By providing insight into Joel’s feelings toward Tony, the author shows why Joel values his friendship with Tony even when he is frustrated by him. Joel sees Tony as rare and unique.

“Seeing his father and the firm grip he maintained on Bobby’s hand gave Joel an idea. He would ask for permission to ride his bike out to Starved Rock. He wouldn’t mention about the bluffs, of course. He wouldn’t have to. His father was sure to say that the ride to the park was too far, too dangerous.” 

Joel doesn’t want to tell Tony “no” because he doesn’t want to seem childish and afraid. He decides to ask his father if they can go to the park because he is sure that his father will not give them permission. Rather than being honest, he attempts to manipulate the situation by lying to both Tony and his dad. This is Joel’s first dishonorable action.

“Joel’s father didn’t take his eyes off of Joel’s face. ‘On your honor?’ he said. ‘You’ll watch for traffic, and you won’t go anywhere except the park? You’ll be careful the whole way? ‘On my honor,’ Joel repeated, and he crossed his heart, solemnly, then raised his right hand.”

The promise that Joel makes to his father at the beginning of the book frames the entire narrative . The significance of the title is established in this moment of trust between a father and son. Joel’s breakdown over his lies and his grief teaches him what honor means.

“Tony’s exuberance knew no bounds. He rode in figure eights or in circles that occupied both lanes of the nearly deserted highway. Once he tried a square and nearly toppled off Joel’s bike.” 

Tony is full of life, which is why Joel admires him and goes along with his plans, even if those plans involve danger. Tony’s curiosity, stubbornness, and accident-prone nature lead him to frequently injure himself.

“‘I’m just waiting for you to drown,” Joel answered. ‘I just want to see it so I can tell your folks.’ ‘Keep them from worrying,’ Tony tossed back. ‘Keep your mom from waiting supper,’ Joel replied.” 

Joel hasn’t yet waded into the water because he is hesitant to enter the river, and the boys exchange lighthearted jokes about Tony drowning. This exchange highlights the connection that Tony and Joel have as friends who love to banter and tease each other, while also foreshadowing Tony’s death.

“What right did Tony have to make fun of his father? ‘At least my dad doesn’t go around hitting kids with a belt,’ he said, stepping closer to Tony and clenching his fists. Tony went white around the mouth, and Joel was instantly sorry that he had picked on Tony’s father.” 

The hostilities between the boys flare when they argue about their parents. When Joel makes a cruel, cutting remark about Tony’s father, Tony becomes belligerent and gets out of the water. Tony is very hurt and feels the need to prove himself, so when Joel dares him to swim to the sandbar, Tony wants to defend his father and himself. Realizing how the comment affected Tony, Joel regrets it, but he never has the chance to apologize to Tony.

“Maybe Tony knew his form was bad, and he was embarrassed. He’d probably never had lessons at the Y like most of the kids, and the last thing in the world he was ever willing to do was admit that there was something he didn’t know.”

There are many clues strewn throughout the novel that Tony is far more naïve and fearful than he acts. Joel characterizes Tony as a bold jokester with little fear of authority, but Tony is afraid to admit that he never learned to swim. His inability to swim is a secret he kept from Joel that has tragic consequences for everyone.

“He should have thought of practicing in the river himself. It had been a good idea. Tony was full of good ideas. When they both reached the sandbar, he would apologize, tell Tony he was sorry for what he’d said about his dad. He’d tell him he was sorry about saying Tony would be afraid to swim a little ways, too.”

Regret is prominent throughout this story, as Joel and his father carry deep remorse. When Joel swims to the sandbar, he considers the things he will tell Tony once the race is done. He thinks of his last words to Tony repeatedly throughout the story, wishing he weren’t so negative and hurtful.

“Joel could see everything with a sharp, terrible clarity: the river water he vomited, the bare roots of a tree thrust above the water, the steady progress of the river toward...where did it go? Toward the Illinois River. And the Illinois River emptied into the Mississippi. Didn’t it? They had studied rivers in school, but he couldn’t remember.” 

The author gives a vivid description of the sensations Joel experiences in the terrifying moments after Tony disappears and his muddled thoughts. He wonders about where the river goes but cannot recall because his mind is racing. Joel is in fight-or-flight mode, uncertain whether to run, keep looking for Tony in the river, or call for help.

“The boy shrugged. He spoke between deep, quavering breaths. ‘Look...do you know...how long...it takes somebody...to drown?’ Joel didn’t answer. He hadn’t thought about it. Besides, he didn’t want to know. ‘About five minutes, I’d say.’” 

The teenage boy realistically responds to the stressful situation, trying his best to help but quickly realizing that there is no way Tony is still alive. In these circumstances, the age difference between Joel, who just completed sixth grade, and the older boy seems far greater than a couple of years. Joel deals with an adult situation as a child would: Though Joel is not a small child and sees himself as mature, there is a stark contrast between himself and the older teenager, who knows how easily someone can drown.

“When the door opened, though, it was Mr. Zabrinsky standing there, a heavy, leather belt in his hand. Joel could feel the cold sweat breaking out along his sides. If the police didn’t get him, Tony’s father would for sure. ‘I’ll go to the police,’ he said. ‘I promise.’” 

Joel imagines a terrible punishment will befall him. He is especially fearful of Mr. Zabrinsky’s reaction because he previously witnessed him take a belt to Tony. This fear drives him to make another false promise to the teenager who helped him look for Tony in the water.

“Something was wrong. Tony had never folded his clothes in his life, not unless his mother was standing over him anyway. Joel reached down and mussed the shirt.” 

After leaving the bank and taking off on his bike away from home, Joel returns to the spot where Tony jumped into the river. He is mourning his friend and attempting to think of a story he can tell his family to conceal his irresponsibility. The contrast between tenderly folding his dead friend’s clothing into a neat pile and then messing it up captures his conflicted emotions: He is torn between mourning his friend and concealing his disobedience.

“For an instant Joel couldn’t breathe. His throat closed, and the air trapped in his chest in a painful lump. He lifted his hands in surprise, in supplication, but when the breath exploded from him again it brought with it a bleating moan. Joel stood on the bank clutching at himself and swaying. Tony was dead...dead.”

The author depicts the stages of grief through Joel’s body language and cries, using evocative language to capture the painful intensity. Joel vacillates between denial and shock in the first moments after he comes up from the water and notices Tony has disappeared. Now he can no longer deny the event, and the death becomes real.

“Joel squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. Then he stopped, breathed again, sniffed. What was the smell in the air? Almost like...almost exactly like dead fish. Joel sniffed his arm, his shirt. That’s where it was coming from...him.” 

The first couple of times that Joel notices the smell of the river on himself, the author makes it ambiguous whether the smell is real or imagined by Joel. It becomes clear later that there is no smell; it is a manifestation of Joel’s imagination. Joel’s guilt causes him to become paranoid and believe he is drenched in the river’s scent of decay and rot. This symbol of guilt gives insight into Joel’s desperation: He cannot remove the smell from himself no matter what he does.

“Why did he feel so responsible , as though he had pushed Tony in? Why did he always have to feel responsible for everything that happened?” 

Joel is characterized as highly mature and trustworthy, positive qualities for which he is praised. When he goes against these traits, a series of terrible events occur. The negative side of Joel’s typically high moral standards is that when something goes wrong or he is disobedient, he cannot forgive himself. He feels he killed Tony, which is why he cannot just tell the truth. Joel is torn between his desire to be seen as honorable and the need to do the truly honorable thing.

“‘Maybe I shouldn’t have told you,’ she said. ‘Maybe he wouldn’t want you to know. He tried swimming lessons once, but he was always afraid of the water.’” 

This is an instance of dramatic irony , as Joel knows that Tony is dead but Mrs. Zabrinsky does not, so she still thinks her son might be embarrassed. This moment also deepens our understanding of Tony’s personality. Though they were friends for their entire lives, Joel didn’t know everything about Tony. Tony was more complex and sensitive than Joel knew, another secret that contributed to bringing about the tragedy .

“He wanted to turn away, to run at last, but his feet refused to carry him in that direction. Instead, he stumbled toward his father, his hands raised and clenched into fists. ‘I hate you!’ he cried, pounding at his father’s chest. ‘It’s all your fault. You never should have let me go!’” 

Joel is seeking to blame someone, a natural response to an inexplicable tragedy . Once he tells the police, the Zabrinskys, and his father what happened, he wants to blame his father to escape his own responsibility. His father understands the depth of the suffering his son is experiencing and allows him to lash out, knowing that Joel’s hatred is not toward his father but toward himself.

“Didn’t he understand yet? Bad wasn’t something that could be locked out. Bad was something that came from inside when you didn’t even know it was there.” 

As Joel awaits his father’s return after speaking with the police, he is filled with self-hatred. He believes he is irredeemably bad and will never be able to move on from the guilt he feels for Tony’s death. Joel exhibits extreme thinking, seeing himself as either all good or all bad. When he feels dishonorable, he feels hopeless.

“‘Maybe,’ his father said. ‘Maybe not. There’s no way to know. You can’t live your life by maybes .’” 

After Joel continually asks his father why this had to happen and poses various hypothetical questions, his father wisely tells him that doing so is a pointless exercise that will cause more suffering. He tells Joel that he needs to continue living his life rather than languishing in despair.

“I believe there’s something about life that goes on. It seems too good to end in a river.” 

This tragic story ends on a hopeful note. Joel’s father doesn’t promise Joel that Tony is in heaven but instead says that he believes that life does not abruptly end in death but rather transforms into something else. Joel considers his response, and it does give him some relief, even if it is not as certain as the promise of a heaven. This response elucidates the honesty and humility that Joel’s father exhibits.

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