Her price is far above rubies

So this past week or so, there's been a lot going through my head, with youth conference and an awesome Sunday, and stuff. There's a lot I've been wanting to post about. So, since I have no life and I have nothing to do before and after work I'll probably be posting a lot this week. Like maybe every day. But we'll see. The first thing I'm going to post about is my young women's lesson from yesterday. A shout out to Sis. Martineau, it was a fantastic lesson. I always love your lessons. :) So, down to business. The lesson: virtue.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31: 10

What is virtue? Most people attribute virtue with purity and chastity. In the Personal Progress book, in one of the virtue value experiences, it says "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity and purity." So, yes, virtue is chastity and purity. But it is also much more than that. When I think of virtue, I picture this:



President Hinckley, in his book One Bright Shining Hope (which every woman, young or old, should read) said:

"There is nothing in all this world as magnificent as virtue. It glows without tarnish. It is precious and beautiful. It is above price. It cannot be bought or sold. It is the fruit of self-mastery."

So, this picture makes me think of virtue, because since a virtuous person is pure, they will shine and have a light like no other person. They will shine like gold that will never tarnish. But virtue, simply stated in the words of Sis. Martineau, is righteous living. It is living as Christ lived. He IS virtue. He was - and is - the most pure thing to walk on this Earth. He shined his light so brightly for others to see. He is THE light. He IS righteousness.

Virtue is so important to have in this life. In order to go to the temple, to be sealed for time and all eternity inside of it, we must be living a virtuous life. In order to find a worthy spouse, we must be living a virtuous life. In the words of Sis. Elaine Dalton, "virtuous young men are attracted to virtuous young women." I don't know about you, but that's the kind of man I want to attract. A virtuous one. One that is pure and true. One that has gone through the refiner's fire, and has come out strengthened and more clean and more pure than before. And as long as I am living a virtuous life, I will. It even says so in the scriptures.

"virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light" Doctrine and Covenants 88:40.

The way we live now is so important to the world. It will determine who we become. It will determine the people we attract. It will determine the way we affect people and what our legacy. A few years ago, the young women were challenged to do a return to virtue. If you have not yet taken this challenge, please do so. Strive to live a life full of purity, full of light and righteousness. A virtuous life is a life that will touch the lives of others. A life that will help change people, and even help change the world.

And, though this seems kind of random and out of order, I want to point out how I feel that integrity and virtue come hand in hand. They are not the same thing, but they are necessary to each other. In order to have virtue, you must have integrity. Virtue is based on high moral standards. Integrity is setting those standards and living them. Strive to be the best you can be. Have integrity, and stay strong in what you believe. Have virtue, and be a light that can help make the world a better place. A virtuous woman is precious to Heavenly Father. She is valued above any other precious thing. Above rubies, emeralds, diamonds, gold, silver, pearls, any thing you can think of. Virtue is more precious than that. So how important is it for you to have virtue? Very important.