A training program to become virtuous

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. We must engage in strict training. As the marathon runner Juma Ikangaa said after winning the New York Marathon, “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.” Now is the time to prepare by exercising more self-discipline. Now is the time to become “more fit for the kingdom.” 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.

What can each of us do to begin our return to virtue? The course and the training program will be unique to each of us. I have derived my personal training program from instructions found in the scriptures:

“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”
“Cleave unto [your] covenants.”
“Stand … in holy places.”
“Lay aside the things of [the] world.”
“Believe that ye must repent.”  
“Always remember him and keep his commandments.”
And “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, … seek after these things.”

Now more than ever before, it is time to respond to Moroni’s call to “awake, and arise” and to “lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.”

Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” October 2008 General Conference

Surely you can see what the adversary is about

Elder Boyd K. Packer

I know of nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds the wickedness and depravity which surrounds us now.

Satan uses every intrigue to disrupt the family. The sacred relationship between man and woman, husband and wife, through which mortal bodies are conceived and life is passed from one generation to the next generation, is being showered with filth.

Profanity, vulgarity, blasphemy, and pornography are broadcast into the homes and minds of the innocent. Unspeakable wickedness, perversion, and abuse—not even exempting little children—once hidden in dark places, now seeks protection from courts and judges.

….The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were localized. They are now spread across the world, wherever the Church is. The first line of defense— the home—is crumbling. Surely you can see what the adversary is about.

“On  the Shoulder of Giants,” Elder Boyd K. Packer, printed in the J. Reuben Clark Law School’s Clark Memorandum, Fall 2004