A Return to Virtue

My thoughts on Sister Dalton's talk "A Return to Virtue".

What a powerful talk. I'm so glad this was saved for EVERYONE and not just the young women.

I'm sorry we have to "return" to virtue. I'm sorry that we ever left. I had hoped we as a people would have stayed there, but I guess we all need to be called to repentance.

Virtue:
is a prerequisite for entrance into the temple.
is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards (I like that one)
encompasses chasity
encompasses moral purity
begins in the heart & mind
is nurtured at home
is the accumulation of 1000's of small decisions and actions.
is STRENGTH!

"Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength. They are confident because they are worthy to receive and be guided by the Holy Ghost."

WOW what powerful words. I could say AMEN and sit down.

She quotes Pres. Monson: "“You be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness—and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so.”"

I hope I get to feel "glorious" as I stand clean and with confidence at the gates of Heaven. I hope that I feel that way today and tomorrow as well. And I pray that my children will feel that way always because they live that way.

I love the story about being poisoned by degrees. We as a culture are poisoned by degrees. My husband and I love watching movies--especially old time movies. We notice that the camera stops before the clothing come off. The camera stops at the bedroom door. The actors and actresses don't show too much skin. In fact very few belly buttons are shown, if any at all. What a different world we live in. And it was by "degrees" that we got here. We as a people allowed it. But, we as a family can stop it--at least from coming into our home.

"Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us?"

Let's not even tolerate it one bit. Never accept it and NEVER embrace it. I vow that my family will not be poisoned by degrees as long as I'm able to fight the fight and stand with my other 7 warriors against the evil that wants inside my home. And we will do that by...

"The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare." Just as the marathon winner said. To win this fight we must practice daily. No one ever ran 20 minutes on the treadmill and was 20 pounds lighter. No they did 20 months on the treadmill and then were 20 pounds lighter. It takes daily practice and daily vigilance to fight the foe.

"The course and the training program will be unique to each of us."
This means we have to be worthy to receive the instructions on how to run the course and how to train. That comes through personal revelation and recognition of the Spirit in our lives. It requires that we actively seek for guidance. Activity seek for the Spirit to dwell with us. To get that it will mean, prayer, scripture study, temple attendance and church attendance. Those aren't hard, but like my dentist brother tells me--brushing your teeth just once a week will not prevent cavities--you have to do it daily. Nor will brushing afterwards get rid of the decay once it has started--you have to be brushing BEFORE you get them. You have to attend weekly and then do the daily stuff to win the war.

We must all return to virtue. I'm going to get into training so I can win the fight, not get poisoned and be ready to stand with confidence when I meet my Savior.