"If there is anything VIRTUOUS, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy,we seek after these things." -the last sentence from the 13th Article of FaithOur Relief Society lesson yesterday was on VIRTUE. Since Virtue was recently added as another Value to the YW Theme, Shawna Bohn, Ward YW President, taught all of the girls and women.
In Preach My Gospel, Virtue is called "a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards." When Sister Dalton, the General YW President announced adding Virtue to the Theme, she described Virtue as beginning in our Heart and Mind and "it becomes an accumulation of thousands of Small Decisions and Actions." "People of Virtue," Sister Dalton said, "have Quiet Dignity, Inner Strength, and Confidence."
Regarding the Moral Courage that we gain as we strive to be virtuous, President Thomas Monson said: "There is no FRIENDSHIP more VALUABLE than your own CLEAR CONSCIENCE." I like the idea of our CONSCIENCE as our FRIEND. It's the very best kind of Friend since your Conscience will prick your heart if you stray off course. Most True Friends WANT to do the same thing but sometimes don't/won't/can't for fear of offending, hurting the relationship, appearing preachy, high and mighty, etc., etc.
When Paige shared her testimony that transferring from Pepperdine to BYU was a difficult choice but one that felt right to her from impressions from the Holy Ghost; I think this was a good example of her virtue/standards giving her Confidence to make a decision (regardless of what others thought).
The Latin root word for virtue is "virtus" which means STRENGTH. In Andie's Testimony she mentioned getting through trials and feeling STRONGER after being challenged. I REALLY do believe that Virtuous Living develops our Inner Strength to help us cope with Adversity when it falls upon us. And we know that no one escapes life without some hard knocks/adversity along the way. Striving to seek VIRTUOUS things in life seems like a choice that you just can't lose with!
