A History of the CTR Ring

By Brandon Young

Original CTR Ring (1970s)

Modern CTR Ring (2008)

What is a CTR ring?

A CTR ring is a special ring that bears the CTR shield. The letters CTR stand for "Choose The Right" and are placed inside a shield. The most well-known CTR ring features a green shield. Since it was created, the CTR shield has not only been placed on rings but in teaching manuals, posters, and other pieces of jewelry. It is not only a fashion statement but an outward expression of faith. Members wear CTR rings to remind them to make good choices and follow Jesus Christ.

How was the CTR ring created?

The CTR ring was first created in the 1970s by a Church committee of eight women. The committee was designed to help serve the children and youth of the Church.

Head of the committee, Noami W. Randall recommended that the Church incorporate some kind of “badge of belief” into the doctrinal teachings for the boys and girls of the Church. Norma Nichols, also a member of the committee said, “Back then boys didn’t wear necklaces and earrings, so a ring seemed like a good idea.”

Each part of the ring stands for something. The shield is a reminder that making good choices helps shield us from temptation and the green background is used to symbolize the evergreen tree – a tree that stays true to its appearance as the seasons change. Once the design was finalized, Coy Miles – then president of a Salt Lake City jewelry company was contracted to design the actual ring, while Joel Izatt was asked to create the artwork for the teaching materials.

In 1970, Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then serving as an Apostle for the Church, officially announced the new “CTR” curriculum in a Church-wide conference. It was to be implemented as a part of the doctrine being taught to children ages 6 and 7. As part of the new program, each child was given one of the new CTR rings, taught its symbolic meaning, and how it can help them make the right decisions in life. Since then, the saying “Choose the Right” and its concepts have been taught to all the LDS primary aged children.

The CTR ring today

Since its humble beginnings, the CTR symbol has been spread across the world. Not only has the CTR ring been translated into over 30 languages, but the symbol has been placed on more than just rings. Earrings, stationary, ties, bracelets, t-shirts and more that all bear the CTR shield have now become popular, especially amongst the youth of the Church. Companies pay the LDS Church royalties in exchange for rights to use the symbol on their own memorabilia. Thousands of CTR rings are sold through online retailers like CTRRingShop.com as well as actual brick and mortar stores, even Walmart. Members of the Church throughout the world proudly wear their rings, shirts, and necklaces to show their commitment and devotion to the church, and to remind themselves to stand up for what is right.