Value of Virtue

Add to Your Faith Virtue, and to Virtue Knowledge
“We must…fill our lives with those things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report.” We are inviting all young women, mothers, and, in fact, all women who desire to join us in this cause of virtue to complete the new Personal Progress experiences and project for the value of virtue.”
– Mary N. Cook, 1st Counselor YW Gen. Presidency

Virtue Value Experiences:

Complete the following four required Value Experiences.

____ 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,” and “Sexual Purity” in For the Strength of Youth. Also read Article of Faith number 13 and Proverbs 31:10-31. In your journal, write the promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure and your commitment to be chaste.

____ 2. Virtuous living “at all times and in all things, and in all places” qualifies you for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. When you are baptized and confirmed, you are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide all aspects of your life. Since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean tabernacles, living a virtuous life is a prerequisite to having the companionship of the Holy Ghost and receiving the blessings of temple ordinances. Read the following scripture references, and identify the promised blessings: John 14:26–27; John 15:26; 2 Nephi 32:1- 5; D&C 45:57-59; D&C 88:3-4; and D&C 121:45-46. In your journal, record what you have learned, and write about a time when you felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

____ 3. Prepare to be worthy to enter the temple and to participate in temple ordinances. Read Alma chapter 5. Make a list of the questions Alma asks. Answer the questions for yourself, and make a list of the things you can and will do to prepare yourself to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessings our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters.

____ 4. Because the Savior loves you and has given His life for you, you can repent. Repentance is an act of faith in Jesus Christ. Read Moroni 10:32, the book of Enos and the section on repentance in For the Strength of Youth. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice has made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins. Read the sacrament prayers in D&C 20:77-79. Determine to partake worthily of the sacrament each week and fill your life with virtuous activities that will bring spiritual power. As you do this, you will grow stronger in your ability to resist temptation, keep the commandments, and become more like Jesus Christ. Determine what you can do daily to remain pure and worthy, and write your plan in your journal.

Virtue Value Project:

After you have completed the 4 required Virtue Value Experiences, complete the following project for the value of Virtue:

The Savior chose to live a virtuous life. Follow His admonition to “learn of me” (D&C19:23) by reading the entire Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Liken the scriptures to your life and circumstances. As you read, record your thoughts regularly in your journal. Note the example of the Savior’s life and mission. What did the Redeemer and those who followed Him do to live virtuous lives? At the completion of your reading, record your testimony in your journal.

The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet can be found online by following the links listed below:

www.lds.org > Serving in the Church > Young Women > Standards: For the Strength of Youth

June Birthday Brunch

~Happy Birthday Ladies~
06 Arlee Ann James
08 Irene May
10 Heather Kartchner
11 Corinne Sutton
12 Margaret Wright
14 Marilyn Fa’amatuainu
16 Michelle Renee LaCourse
17 Teli Vea
18 Jan Schultz
23 Pisa Fa’amausili
23 Shannon Willequer
24 Susan Green
27 Millie Cheatwood
30 Marci Bagley
30 Mandi Clayden

The Power of Forgiving

“Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,
For friends at first, are friends again at last.” Lesson 34



We are to exercise the principle of mercy and forgive our brothers and sisters.

“Suppose that Jesus Christ and holy angels should object to us on frivolous things, what would become of us? We must be merciful to one another, and overlook small things.”
“One of the most pleasing scenes that can occur on earth, when a sin has been committed by one person against another, is, to forgive that sin; and then according to the sublime and perfect pattern of the Savior, pray to our Father in heaven to forgive [the sinner] also.”

Forgiving restores unity of feeling.
“And now may God have mercy upon my father’s house; may God take away enmity from between me and thee; and may all blessings be restored, and the past be forgotten forever. May humble repentance bring us both to Thee, O God, and to Thy power and protection, and a crown, to enjoy the society of father, mother, Alvin, Hyrum, Sophronia, Samuel, Catherine, Carlos, Lucy, the Saints, and all the sanctified in peace, forever, is the prayer of your brother.”

By showing long-suffering, patience, and mercy to the repentant, we can help bring them into “the liberty of God’s dear children
“However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God’s dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and your God, and to the Church of Jesus Christ.

“Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.

The Spiritual Gifts of Healing, Tongues, Prophecy, and Discerning of Spirits

“No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy.” Lesson 33

The sick may be healed through faith and the exercise of priesthood power, according to the Lord’s will.
“What is the sign of the healing of the sick? The laying on of hands is the sign or way marked out by James, and the custom of the ancient Saints as ordered by the Lord, and we cannot obtain the blessing by pursuing any other course except the way marked out by the Lord [see James 5:14–15
The purpose of the gift of tongues is to teach the gospel to others.
“As to the gift of tongues, all we can say is, that in this place, we have received it as the ancients did: we wish you, however, to be careful lest in this you be deceived. … Satan will no doubt trouble you about the gift of tongues, unless you are careful; you cannot watch him too closely, nor pray too much. May the Lord give you wisdom in all things.”

Though only one man speaks as the prophet of the Church, the spirit of prophecy enables all to testify of Jesus Christ.
“Faith comes by hearing the word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God; that testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation.”

The gift of discerning of spirits allows the faithful to distinguish between the influence of good and evil spirits.
“Lying spirits are going forth in the earth. There will be great manifestations of spirits, both false and true. … Every spirit, or vision, or singing, is not of God. … The gift of discerning spirits will be given to the Presiding Elder. Pray for him that he may have this gift.”

June Presidency Message

The storm fronts that come into our lives will not last forever. We can surmount the drifts of difficulties and we can hold out if we maintain our perspective and faith... Just as we know there is a sun just beyond today's cloud cover, so we must not doubt the continued, watchful, and tutoring presence of THE SON in spite of the stormy seasons in our lives “

Neal A. Maxwell, As I Am, pp. 102-3

you've taught me you've taught me not"

Spencer W. Kimbal says this:
Love is like a flower, and, like the body, it needs constant feeding. The mortal body would soon be emaciated and die if there were not frequent feedings. The tender flower would wither and die without food and water. And so love, also, cannot be expected to last forever unless it is continually fed.

Love your sisters enough to visit them this month, because just like a flower we all need feeding.


After you go visit (face to face, phone, or letter) your sister(s) pick the flower with THEIR name on it. Our goal is to pick all the "flowers" this month, and show our sisters we care about them.

June Visiting Teaching

Participate in Sincere Prayer
Prayerfully teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Sincere Prayer Has Strengthening Power
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded. If every family had family prayer daily … , we would be stronger” (“What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Prayer changes our lives. Through it we draw near to the Lord, and he reaches out his finger and touches us, so we never again are the same.

“Prayer is a great tower of strength, a pillar of unending righteousness, a mighty force that moves mountains and saves souls” (“Patterns of Prayer,” Ensign, May 1984, 32).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Every honest and sincere prayer adds another piece to chain-mail armor. … One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer—earnest, sincere, consistent prayer—is part of your daily lives” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 10).

D&C 112:10: “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.”

Sincere Prayer Is Holy Communication
President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency: “First, prayer is a humble acknowledgment that God is our Father and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Second, it is a sincere confession of sin and transgression and a request for forgiveness. Third, it is recognition that we need help beyond our own ability. Fourth, it is an opportunity to express thanksgiving and gratitude to our Creator. It is important that we frequently say: ‘We thank Thee … ,’ ‘We acknowledge before Thee … ,’ ‘We are grateful unto Thee …’ Fifth, it is a privilege to ask Deity for specific blessings.

“… Sincere prayers come from the heart. Indeed, sincerity requires that we draw from the earnest feelings of our hearts” (“The Lifeline of Prayer,” Liahona, July 2002, 62; Ensign, May 2002, 59–60).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as ‘a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings’ (Bible Dictionary, ‘Prayer,’ 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say ‘amen,’ by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father” (“Ask in Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2008, 95).

President Thomas S. Monson: “As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in Him. Let us remember the injunction of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews: ‘For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ If any of us has been slow to hearken to the counsel to pray always, there is no finer hour to begin than now” (“A Royal Priesthood,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 61).