Where is Virtue?

I've been on a bit of hiatus while we went on a family vacation, spent the next week dealing with sick kids and have been working on other various projects. I apologize, but life and family happen!

Recently, I taught a Relief Society (LDS women's organization) lesson and have written an article pertaining to virtue. I don't think this is talked about as much as it should be, in fact, virtue seems to not even be desirable among the masses.

Virtue is moral excellence, goodness and chastity. Lack of virtuous living is evident in movies, television, music, media and the behaviors of people all over the world (think sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy outside of marriage, co-habitation, etc.).

Why? Why is society becoming desensitized to sex? Why are we degrading women, and why are women willing to be degraded? Carmen Rasmusen Herbert--former American Idol hopeful--recently shared her opinion in an article talking about this very thing. She talked about how there are restaurants where scantily clad women attract male customers who in turn ogle these women. Both are being degraded.

There is a major lack of respect for oneself and for others. Women don't respect themselves enough to dress modestly, which is also a lack of respect for men. Men disrespect themselves and women by looking/enjoying inappropriately dressed women. Does that make sense? And modesty is only the beginning...the same goes for sex and other immorality pitfalls.

I have thought before, and have now had it reaffirmed, that if we truly understood WHO we are, then our behaviors would change drastically for the better. Who are we? We are children of God. This divine heritage is often hidden by the world. So many are confused and lost and don't know who they really are. It breaks my heart to think about it.

Elaine S. Dalton, who was previously the Young Women's General President, recently addressed the world not only affirming that we are children of God, but the need for us to return to virtue. She beautifully states:

"Again I renew the call for a return to virtue. Virtue is the strength and power of daughters of God. What would the world be like if virtue—a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards, including chastity—were reinstated in our society as a most highly prized value? If immorality, pornography, and abuse decreased, would there be fewer broken marriages, broken lives, and broken hearts? Would media ennoble and enable rather than objectify and degrade God’s precious daughters? If all humanity really understood the importance of the statement “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father,” how would women be regarded and treated?"

I don't think it can be said any better than that. We need virtue, more people to choose virtue over the ways of the world. It would not only improve our lives, but also society as a whole.

As for my home, we start teaching these principles and high moral standards while our children are young. We know there is a chance that some may falter, but you can always come back and return to virtue. There is always a second chance to recommit to and realign your moral excellence.

© Wendy 2013