Choose the right

'Choose the Right' shield

"Choose the right" is a saying or motto among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that is taught to children and used by members of the church as a reminder to act righteously. The phrase is taken from an LDS hymn of the same name written by Joseph L. Townsend.

History

The letters CTR, a reference to this phrase, are incorporated into a shield logo designed by Helen Alldredge,^[1] a Primary General Board member in the 1960s. In 1970, a church committee headed by Naomi W. Randall recommended that the shield be incorporated into official church material. Since then, both the phrase and symbol have been used in religious educational materials for LDS youth of Primary age.^[2] The symbol is also used in LDS culture by members of all ages, both as a reminder of the motto, as well as an indicator of religious affiliation. The CTR initials, displayed on the shield and in other forms, can be seen mainly on CTR rings as well as other types of jewelry, tee shirts, bookmarks and stationery.

According to the US Patent and Trademark Office, the LDS Church's stylized "CTR" abbreviation and shield with the CTR symbol are trademarked for use on finger ring jewelry by Intellectual Reserve.^[3][4] The phrase "Choose the Right," however, is not trademarked in the United States and may be used by anyone for commercial purposes.^{[citation needed]}

CTR ring

A CTR ring, showing the escutcheon design

A ring with the letters "CTR" on is often worn by members of the LDS Church as a reminder of the "Choose the Right" motto, and as a symbol of their religious affiliation.

CTR rings were introduced at the same time as the CTR shield in 1970 by Primary general president LaVern W. Parmley after being recommended by a committee chaired by Naomi W. Randall.^[2] In connection with the children's Sunday School program, each LDS child in this age group is given an adjustable ring with a green escutcheon bearing the letters "CTR" in silver.

Over the years CTR rings have become popular with both children and adults in the LDS Church. They are now available in a variety of designs in over 30 languages.

See also

• Christian ichthys symbol
• Purity ring
• What would Jesus do? (WWJD)

References

1. ^ "Designer of CTR Logo Radiated Love for All". October 6, 2006 — Church in the News
2. ^ ^{a b} "'I Am a Child of God' Lyricist Honored", BYU Magazine, Winter 1998.
3. ^ For the abbreviation:
   "USPTO Trademark registration number 2126850". USPTO. http://tdr.uspto.gov/search.action?rn=2126850#. Retrieved 18 July 2011. 
   "USPTO Trademark serial number 75154689". USPTO. http://tdr.uspto.gov/search.action?sn=75154689#. Retrieved 18 July 2011. 
4. ^ For the symbol:
   "USPTO Trademark registration number 1505790". USPTO. http://tdr.uspto.gov/search.action?rn=1505790#. Retrieved 18 July 2011. 
   "USPTO Trademark serial number 73695902". USPTO. http://tdr.uspto.gov/search.action?sn=73695902#. Retrieved 18 July 2011. 

External links

• "Choose the Right" - a General Conference address by L. Tom Perry, as found in the November 1993 Ensign
• "Choose You This Day" - a General Conference address by Thomas S. Monson, as found in the November 1994 Ensign
• "239: Choose the Right" - wording to hymn as found in the Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985)
• "Creator of CTR ring dies at 91". Deseret News. July 10, 2008. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700242122,00.html. 
• "CTR Ring Varieties" - Where you can find a large variety of CTR Rings.