Virtue #1

1. Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity and purity. The power to create mortal life is an exalted power God has given His children. He has commanded that this power be used only between a man and a woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Study the meaning and importance of chastity and virtue by reading Moroni 9:9; Jacob 2:28; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page 101); and the section on sexual purity in For the Strength of Youth. Also read Article of Faith number thirteen and Proverbs 31:10–31. In your journal write the promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure and your commitment to be chaste.

~ Promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure. ~
* Moroni 9:9 - chastity and virtue are most dear and precious above all things.
* Jacob 2:28 - the Lord delights in the chastity of women.
* Proclamation - temple marriage and eternal families; obedience to God's commandment-the Law of Chastity-and the Lord will sanctify your marriage and family; happiness in the family, heirs of eternal life, fulfill your divine destiny, return to the presence of God; successful marriage and family.
* For the Strength of Youth: Sexual Purity - expressing love between husband and wife; creating children; preparing yourself for marriage and having a family; preparing yourself for the temple; protect yourself from emotional damage; inner peace, companionship of Holy Ghost.
* Article of Faith 13 - strengthens our belief in the gospel (our testimony), our hope, our ability to endure all things; fills our life with beauty.
* Proverbs 31:10 - the price of a virtuous woman is far above rubies
- v. 11 - her husband trusts her
- v. 12 - she does good - or blesses - her husband
- v. 17 - she girds her loins and arms with strength
- v. 25 - she manifests strength and honor and she rejoices
- v. 28 - her children call her blessed and her husband praises her

~ My committment to be chaste. ~
The Lord really does want us to be chaste and virtuous. And there are so many blessings that will come from our obedience. I really like what Sister Dalton recently said at the Young Women Meeting. She told the girls to focus on "deep beauty," the kind that shines from the inside out. "Deep beauty springs from virtue. It is the beauty of being chaste and morally clean. It is the kind of beauty that you see in the eyes of virtuous women. It is the beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring covenants."

I want to receive and shine with deep beauty. I also want to always be worthy to enter the temple and receive the blessings that have been promised to me and my husband. I have covenanted to keep the Law of Chastity and so I will. I want eternal life with Heavenly Father and my family. I promise to always be clean and pure that those magnificent blessings will be mine!

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 26

Mar 30, 2010: What a beautiful chapter. There are so many promises made to those that believe in Christ who laid down His life for me, because He loves me. I especially like a phrase in verse 15, "all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten." I think Nephi is giving us a hint into the work of temples. There, people who have passed on in unbelief are found and given the same blessings of the believers. I so love the perfectness of this gospel!

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 22:2

Mar 15, 2010: "God is my salvation...trust, and be not afraid...is my strength and my song..." What a beautiful verse! And it is really something I needed to hear right now. It is almost like a cheer that I can say to myself to get through the hard things. "The Lord is my strength, my song, and salvation." I do trust in the Lord and I trust that through Him I can do all things for He will give me strength and provide a way!

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 10:10-13

Mar 9, 2010: I was looking through these verses trying to find the caveat -- America will be strong and free if... But there isn't one. The Lord plainly says he will fortify our lands against other nations. I don't think that is an open invitation to be disobedient but it is still a promise that we will be blessed. That is a beautiful thought.

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 9:14

Mar 9, 2010: Jacob says that at the judgement day the righteous will "have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment." I suppose that means that we will be happy. That we will look back on this mortal existence and though we passed through times of trouble and trial, we held firm to the principles of the gospel and therefore we were joyful. I certainly know that life is not easy. It seems I go from one trial to the next sometimes. But I do know that as I keep the commandments I find solutions to my trials and the comfort of the Spirit to guide me through. Knowing that the Lord loves me and is pleased with my offering does indeed bring me joy. So, I pray that on the Judgement Day I will have a perfect knowledge of my enjoyment.

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 5:27

Feb 28, 2010: Nephi and his people lived after the manner of happiness. I want to live after the manner of happiness. How do I? Prayer, scripture study, following the Prophet, church attendance, temple attendance, family home evening, etc. I know these are all the "Sunday School" answers but by doing these things which we have been commanded to do, I will be happy!

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 4

Feb 28, 2010: I love this chapter, this Psalm of Nephi. He so beautifully expresses his sorrow for sin but the hope he has in the Savior. I too am grateful for the Lord's guidance and deliverance through my wildernesses and trials. and I pray that I will learn to shake at the appearance of sin. I know that as I live worthy I will be blessed with these things and become ever more like the Savior - the Rock of my Salvation.

Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 1

Feb 13, 2010: The Lord has promised Lehi and his seed that the land will be theirs and that they will be blessed and prospered as they live the commandments. I have always supposed that these verses could be applied to us too, don't you think? I love these promises. They give me so much comfort believing and knowing that we live in a land chosen and watched over by the Lord. I think history, for the most part, has proven that His Hand is protecting us. I pray that as a nation we can continue to be worthy of these blessings.

Book of Mormon - 1 Nephi 22:17

Feb 7, 2010: Nephi says the righteous will be saved, "even if it so be as by fire." I wonder what exactly he means by that. The first thought that came to mind is that the righteous will go through hard times and many "refiners fires" but will be blessed and saved at the last day. It won't be easy but if we prevail and go through the fire we will triumph. Do you think that is what Nephi meant? I think my musings have some relevance, at least.

Book of Mormon - 1 Nephi 18:3

Feb 7, 2010: Nephi goes up to the mount oft and prays oft. I remember learning that the "mount" was the temple. I love this reminder of the importance of the temple. We too have been commanded to go to the temple often and to pray. I am grateful there are so many temples near where I can go and learn and worship, just as Nephi did.