Virtue & Values

I'm so excited!! Tonight after looking nearly every other day since November, the General YW Presidency have added the new value of Virtue to the Personal Progress book. Here is the info I found at lds.org. I love this value and feel it is so needed.

As I was thinking about Virtue, I thought of Pres. Hinckley's Ten Neglected Virtues that he wrote about.

President Gordon B. Hinckley's
Ten Virtues

Love
"Love is the only force that can erase the
differences between people or bridge the
chasms of bitterness."

Honesty
"In our day, those found in dishonesty
aren't put to death, but something within
them dies. Conscience chokes, character
withers, self-respect vanishes, integrity
dies. How cheaply some men and women
sell their good names!"

Morality
"Both experience and divine wisdom
dictate that moral virtue and cleanliness
pave the way that leads to strength of
character, peace of mind and heart, and
happiness in life."

Civility
"Civility carries with it the essence of
courtesy, politeness, and consideration of
others. All of the education and
accomplishments in the world will not
count for much unless they are
accompanied by marks of gentility, of
respect for others, of going the extra mile."

Learning
"No matter how old we become, we can
acquire knowledge and use it. We can
gather wisdom and profit from it. We can
grow and progress and improve-and, in the
process, strengthen the lives of those
within our circle of influence."

Forgiveness and Mercy
"Hatred always fails and bitterness always
destroys. Are there virtues more in need of
application in our day ... than those of
forgiving, forgetting, and extending mercy
to those who may have wronged us or let
us down?"

Thrift and Industry
"I commend to all the virtues of industry
and thrift... The labor and thrift of the
people make a nation, a community, or a
family strong. Work and thrift make the
family independent."

Gratitude
"Gratitude is the beginning of civility, of
decency and goodness, of a recognition
that we cannot afford to be arrogant. We
should walk with the knowledge that we
will need help every step of the way."

Optimism
"My plea is that we stop seeking out the
storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight....
I am asking that we look a little deeper for
the good, that we still our voices of insult
and sarcasm, that we more generously
compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

Faith
"Great buildings were never constructed on
uncertain foundations. Great causes were
never brought to success by vacillating
leaders. Faith has always been, and always
must be, at the root of any meaningful
practice and endeavor.”

From Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes, by Gordon B. Hinckley

As leaders, mothers, sister's, and women, we have such an important role in helping our youth. Our youth were saved for this time in history. They are so good and so valiant! I see this time and time again both with my two daughters and with the youth in our Ward & Stake.

These are very trying times and I know I wouldn't want to go thru the things I see my kids dealing with in school and with kids their age. We must keep our families strong and intact. We need to endure to the end and not EVER give up.

The theme that goes along with the virtue value is: I will prepare to enter the temple and remain pure and worthy. My thoughts and actions will be based on high moral standards.
This is something as a Mom, wife & daughter of God I will strive for always. I will never be without my temple recommend. I have in the past and I can tell you from personal experience, the spirit I feel when I am worthy and I have it is amazing. It is a feeling I never want to be without again. I know I continually need to work on my actions and thoughts, but I am trying.