Honor Code

Brigham Young University along with BYU–Hawaii, BYU–Idaho, and LDS Business College are private educational institutions owned, led, and funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their purpose is to provide quality higher education in an environment that fosters spiritual growth and gospel living. As such, one of the requirements for admission or employment at BYU and other Church schools is a willingness to commit to live a specific set of standards.

The Honor Code—which has been an important part of BYU since its founding—includes policies that require having academic honesty; obeying civil law; living the law of chastity; abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and substance abuse; using clean language; adhering to modest dress and grooming standards; and being an active Church member (for LDS students and employees). While some of these elements are common to all universities, many are unique to BYU and, as such, have attracted special attention.

Commitment to the Honor Code is voluntary and reflects the desire and willingness of individuals to contribute to the environment of BYU, which seeks to be in harmony with the doctrines and standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Living the Honor Code on and off campus—especially when it is not being enforced—also demonstrates a sense of personal integrity.

These BYU devotionals from university administrators, Church leaders, and others defend the Honor Code and the principles within it. The speakers encourage individuals, as well as the general community of BYU, to live their commitments to the Honor Code. Most important, they expound on the principles of the honor and integrity that each of us needs to develop—not just at BYU but in all aspects of our lives.