The Church is TRUE!

After getting out of speaking the last 5 yrs I got caught. You could say I had a very unlucky week (a talk and a ticket!) And I usually don't post talks (well I usually don't talk) but I wanted to share it since my family doesn't get to hear me speak. Well they don't hear much at all from me now. And it is important that I journal the important things in life, like my testimony and my feelings about the Savior. 

And some Sunday pics. Cody loved my high heels. L had a good nap- can you tell?

Short Intro. My husband Cody introduced us when he spoke. So I chose things you might not know about us. Cody is from Snowflake, AZ. He is an entrepreneur and has started several of his own companies, doing anything from construction to computer software. Almost done with his 1^st year of Law School. Family of 5 boys. Loves Football but has a shoulder injury, go easy on him in the next turkey bowl.

I am from Kent, WA. Pharmacist. Come say hi to me at Target in Keizer. Look busy but it really brightens my day and I have suckers for your kids if you need to keep them busy while you shop. I have all the goods! 2 of my toes are webbed, so I belong in the NW. 

In our time together (met almost 8 years ago- married 7) we have earned a pharmacy technician certification, real estate license, private pilot’s license, 2 BYU bachelor’s degrees, 1 doctorate, working on the 2^nd.  Traveled to all the major Hawaiian Islands, babymoon to Europe & scuba certified- dove with sharks. We have also ran a ½ marathon, full and ragnar relay together.

Greatest accomp so far-Londyn. She is the Light of our lives. She is well traveled and has been to DC, Lake Tahoe, Big Bear, CA, Seattle, Bryce & Zions Nat’l Parks, Las Vegas and San Fran. Most the time upgraded to first class. Not bad  for not even 2.

She was born with a cleft lip and had it repaired when she was only 2 mo. Old.

Bro Jacobsen asked me to speak on Virtue as a Christlike attribute. I pray the spirit can guide my thoughts and yours to teach us more about living a virtuous life.

I have served in the Young Womens Organization the last 2 years before moving here. In this time they added a new value to the Personal Progress Program. When they announced this Sister Elaine S. Dalton challenged the YW to “Return to virtue” I want the Young Women to think, what is virtue?  

Preach my Gospel States defines it perfectly. “Virtue originates in your innermost thoughts and desires. It is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. Since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean tabernacles, virtue is prerequisite to receiving the Spirits guidance. What you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue.”

I had an experience this week that illustrates this all too well.  Friday night I got home from work to find a letter from the Salem PD. There was a pic of myself (4 actually) at the intersection of Marion and Commercial. Apparently I was the driver of a blue mazda that ran a red light. I guess it was one of those times when I was alone and I didn’t think anyone was watching. I was caught red handed, and there is a video online to prove it. My soon to be lawyer husband couldn’t wait to view it. I was ashamed and didn’t want him to see it. I wanted to watch it first and see how bad it was. But upon viewing the captured images he judged very quickly that I was guilty as charged. There was no contesting it. I ran a red light.

I realize by telling you this experience you probably made a mental note to pull off the road whenever you see me or bro Jacobsen coming (last week he made a comment about how some fellow ward member had to pull off the road due to his bad driving) but I have a point. 

This experience reminded me of a theory my Dad shared with me in my teen years that always stuck with me. He said that when we die and go to heaven we walk to the front of the crowd in heaven and put a video tape in. The story of our lives plays, our thoughts, our actions, our words. It plays for everyone we know and love to see and hear. Our best moments and our worst. Then we are judged according to the evidence against us. I remember this story has always stayed with me. I always feared playing my movie. As a youth I made choices and I remembered that even though I was alone and no one (my parents) were watching I was accountable for the choices I was making.

 I wish it was just a theory but in my scripture study this week I came across this line in Alma 11:43-  brought to stand before God and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

How do we return to virtue?

Sister Dalton YW General President “Virtue is a prerequisite to entering the Lord’s holy temples and to receiving the Spirit’s guidance. Virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.”6 It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. Virtue is a word we don’t hear often in today’s society, but the Latin root word virtus 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.

We can learn from the example of our brother, Jesus Christ. Read Page 115.

 Read Paragraph 2 and 3 in Preach My Gospel.

As I have searched and studied the Virtue. I have found that Counsel to Youth, Men & Women all different!! Makes sense because our lives are so different and we are given counsel specific to our divine roles.

Youth- 10 yr HS reunion this year. Hard to live the Standards we live by. Guarantee it has only gotten worse. Nearing the 2^nd coming.

Once you know who you are you won’t have a hard time doing what you must do to return to live with him. Temple as your goal and put yourself on the path of virtue to get there.

Family History. Spiritual Pedigree Chart. Us-[ Heavenly Parents.

The First Presidency has said: “To the youth … , we plead with you to live clean [lives], for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically,—and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter. Purity is youth’s most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness.”

Women-

The Lord told Emma Smith, to be faithful and to “walk in the paths of virtue before me” (D&C 25:2). The Lord’s advice to Emma Smith is also His advice to all His precious daughters. You are not common. You are not ordinary. You are daughters of God. You carry within yourselves the sacred power to create life. It is one of God’s greatest gifts to His precious daughters, and you must safeguard that power by living the standards and remaining virtuous. You must safeguard your power through purity of thought and action. By so doing, you, your family, and the generations that follow will be strengthened and blessed.

The Joy of Womanhood Margaret D. Nadauld

Our outward appearance is a reflection of what we are on the inside. Our lives reflect that for which we seek. And if with all our hearts we truly seek to know the Savior and to be more like Him, we shall be, for He is our divine, eternal Brother. But He is more than that. He is our precious Savior, our dear Redeemer. We ask with Alma of old, “Have ye received his image in your countenances?” (Alma 5:14).

Grateful daughters of God guard their bodies carefully, for they know they are the wellspring of life and they reverence life. They don’t uncover their bodies to find favor with the world. They walk in modesty to be in favor with their Father in Heaven. For they know He loves them dearly.

Now is the time for us to join in rescuing and preserving that which is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” As we allow virtue to garnish our thoughts unceasingly and we cultivate virtuous traits in our personal lives, our communities and institutions will be improved, our children and families will be strengthened, and faith and integrity will bless individual lives. H David Burton. Nov 2009

Christlike. Perfect example from our Brother and Savior.

Men- How are men virtuous?  Treat women and honor P

Pat. Blessing story. My pat blessing says I would be privileged to enter the temple to be married and that I would “recognize my husband by his dedication to priesthood responsibilities and by his desire to protect and honor my virtues.”

Knew Cody was the one because he would do small things to honor my virtue. (ie. pull down my shirt when it came up, always respected me)

President Ezra Taft Benson 1986 Godly Characteristics of the Master.

To be like the Savior—what a challenge for any person! He is a member of the Godhead. He is the Savior and Redeemer. He was perfect in every aspect of His life. There was no flaw nor failing in Him. Is it possible for us as priesthood holders to be even as He is? The answer is yes. Not only can we, but that is our charge, our responsibility. He would not give us that commandment if He did not mean for us to do it.

The Apostle Peter spoke of the process by which a person can be made a partaker “of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4). This is important, for if we truly become partakers of the divine nature, we shall become like Him. Let us examine closely what Peter teaches us about this process. Here is what he said:

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

Peter [says we] must add to our faith virtue. A priesthood holder is virtuous. Virtuous behavior implies that he has pure thoughts and clean actions. He will not lust in his heart, for to do so is to “deny the faith” and to lose the Spirit (D&C 42:23)—and there is nothing more important in this work than the Spirit. You’ve heard me say that many times.

This means that a young man will honor young women and treat them with respect. He would never do anything that would deprive them of that which, in Mormon’s words, is “most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue” (Moro. 9:9).

Virtue is akin to holiness, an attribute of godliness. A priesthood holder should actively seek for that which is virtuous and lovely and not that which is debasing or sordid.

Remember, it is the cleansing power of the Atonement that makes it possible for us to be virtuous. We all make mistakes, but “because the Savior loves you and has given His life for you, you can repent. Repentance is an act of faith in Jesus Christ. … The Savior’s atoning sacrifice has made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins. … 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 [remain clean], and become more like Jesus Christ” (Young Women Personal Progress [insert, 2009], 3).

When it comes to my ticket I am guilty as charged. I get to pay a hefty fine and suffer the consequences. And I am hoping to spare you all from doing the same J Remember Marion street and commercial!

 However, when we play the movie of our life when we get to heaven and we are judged, we have Christ’s atoning sacrifice to edit our movie. Christ has paid the fine for us. He atoned for our sins. He has given US the power to erase the sin. ERASE the evidence against us!! We have to do some work and pray for forgiveness and strength to overcome our weaknesses and temptations. But if we truly repent we can celebrate the release of our movie, knowing that we lived a virtuous life. 

Pres. Hinckley. How beautiful is the life that is patterned after the teachings of the gospel of Him who was without sin. Such a man walks with unblemished brow in the sunlight of virtue and strength.

 Virtue Pres Hinckley I left this out cuz I was over time but it is good so I am saving it here.

“There is no substitute for virtue. Keep your thoughts virtuous. Rise above the filth that’s all around you in this world and stand tall in strength and virtue. You can do this, and you will be happier for it for as long as you live. God bless you in cherishing, developing, and holding on to this great gift, the quality of personal virtue.” ⁶

Testify Virtue= Holy Ghost & Temple. Greatest blessings as members of his church. SO thankful the Savior made it possible for us to clean the tape. The church is true!

Oh and what I didn't tell the whole church- the pic of my running the red light also shows that I am talking on my cell phone, which is totally illegal in OR! But I was driving Cody's car and had no bluetooth! Oh and the fine = $260!! Just for the red light, they didn't charge me for the phone.