Keep VIRTUE a strong trait in our personalities & lifestyles

Caitlin gave her first ever talk in Sacrament Meeting today. Mid-week I mentioned to her that we needed to work on her talk and she informed me that she had chosen the subject and had written it already! Wow! Yep, I have an awesome kid. She said it was making her nervous, so she wanted to "get it out of the way". She said having it written was like having a 20 lb. weight lifted off her shoulders. Smart girl. No procrastination here!

So, Grandma and Aunt Meme wanted to hear the talk and of course I'm so impressed that I've decided to include it here. She did great! Perfect in every way. Perfect subject. Perfect delivery.

Cait's talk:

I was asked to speak today about a young women value, and how it is important to include it in your life. I decided to focus on Virtue. I would like to quote some of Elaine S. Dalton’s talk about returning to Virtue.

Her definition of virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.” It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in.

She states:
"Virtue is a word we don’t hear often in today’s society, but the Latin root word virtuous means 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. President Monson has counseled: “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 truly believe that one virtuous young woman or young man, led by the Spirit, can change the world, but in order to do so, we must return to virtue. Now is the time to set our course and focus on the finish. A return to virtue must begin individually in our hearts and in our homes.

Now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue. May we so live that we can be instruments in preparing the earth for His Second Coming, “that when he shall appear we shall be like him, … purified even as he is pure.”

I would also like to refer to some of my favorite scriptures about Virtue.

D&C 121:45 “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”

Articles of Faith, 1:13: “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”

And my personal favorite,
Proverbs 31:10: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

Virtue is EXTREMELY essential to keep in your life. What Sister Dalton said was definitely true. You don’t hear about Virtue that much outside of the church. That, is why, here in the present day, we have been given a hard trial to keep virtue a strong trait in our personality, and lifestyle.

In the book, Keepers of What Matters Most by Emily Freeman it says,

"How can we learn to be men and women of strength? It takes practice. How do you practice having virtue? Well, anything virtuous would be anything that gives you strength. Think of the movies you watch, the books you read, the music that you listen to. How about the conversations you have with your family and friends? Do all of those things make you stronger?? More importantly, do they strengthen your testimony of Christ?

If what you are about to do won’t strengthen your testimony of Christ, learn to walk away from it. Leave it behind. In the world we live in today, you can’t afford to waste time on anything that will not make you stronger. And your strength comes from the Lord."