"because of their virtue"

A recent goal I have is to read the entire Standard Works in 1 year. Its doable. And I as I was thinking about it...7 pages of scripture is a bit of a hefty load for a college student...but as i thought more about it...perhaps this is one of the greatest things I can do while I am in college.
Before I really begin my year long journey, I came across this scripture that I never want to forget. In the accounts of the scriptures, there are very few mentions of Women...and its even more rare when their names are mentioned.

There are three women mentioned in Abraham 1:11--who's story we don't know anything about, we don't know their names, we don't know what they were like, we don't know how old they were. Yet, we do know the most important thing. They were valiant women--because of their virtue.

It says.."These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of wood or of stone." (Abraham 1:11)

In Mark 5:30, according to the footnote the greek translation of virtue is strength. I believe that as we are virtuous we have that physical, emotional, and spiritual strength that is required to fight off the daily temptations, trials, and challenges that stand in our way from becoming more like Christ--one of His greatest attributes.

Another thing I love about this verse is it talks about the women who believed in a living God. Not a God of wood, or stone. And they knew that God could deliver them from their trials as He has before to others...but if not, they would die because they knew what was right and they were willing to serve God even despite its demands.

I love the Elder Maxwell explains further these "...three young women whose names we do not have. They appear in the Book of Abraham, remarkable young women about whom I am anxious to know more. They were sacrificed upon the altar because "they would not bow down to worship [an idol] of wood or stone. Someday the faithful will get to meet them." (BYU Devotional, Dec. '84)

I believe if I was there with them before they died, I think those women would say they would be willing to give their life 10,000 times over again if it meant, they remained their virtue, integrity, and devoted service to God.

Don't they just radiate Virtue? I  love my parents!

What are you going to do to seek to develop and obtain virtue in your life today?

institute is just great, "come & see"

seriously. I just wish institute was everyday, it is so good. Ever since I've been going, the idea of working for CES is even more and more tempting. But we will see. :)
I just had to share a couple insights from last weeks lesson.

We are currently studying the Living Prophets, so Oct. 2010 General Conference talks.
This weeks assignment: Be thou an Example by Elder Russell M. Nelson. ( I have a special place in my heart for Elder Nelson, ever since he came to our stake like 10 years ago and I got to sit on his lap for pictures and he called me "his buddy". Sure, he probably told that to every 8 year old he met...but just humor me and think it was sincere.)

Watch this very inspiring movie clip if you are interested, which you should be, because it is amazing. It gave me chills the whole time.

"COME AND SEE"

If you listen closely enough, the background music for the movie is the Hymn "Brightly Beams our Fathers Mercy". Which has a fascinating background story of how the hymn was written by a Protestant, named Phillip Paul Bliss. I couldn't find the perfect copy of the story...but this was the best I could find. 

"On a dark, stormy night, when the waves rolled like mountains and not a star was to be seen, a boat rocking and plunging, neared the Cleveland harbor. ‘Are you sure this is Cleveland?’ asked the captain, seeing only one light from the light-house. ‘Quite sure, sir,’ replied the pilot. ‘Where are the lower lights?’ ‘Gone out, sir.’ ‘Can you make the harbor?’ ‘We must, or perish, sir!’ And with a strong hand and a brave heart, the old pilot turned the wheel. But alas, in the darkness he missed the channel, and with a crash upon the rocks the boat was shivered, and many a life lost in a watery grave. Brethren, the Master will take care of the great light-house; let us keep the lower lights burning!" 

Essentially, we, as members of the Church are the lower lights who direct others to Christ. Therefore, we need to let our light shine all the time. Elder Nelson also said that "some know not where to find it." Even more reason that we need to always be examples of the believers (1 Tim. 4:12). "Helping lead them to Christ, can be their gateway to Salvation," Elder Nelson said. 

This was just a small part of the lesson. But I loved everything about this lesson, and that 

"EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY" 

we don't need a name tag, or a calling, we can be missionaries everyday.

Anything lovely or of good report...

Last week I did this "no facebook" thing for a week and I really liked it. I guess if I go back to using facebook the only thing I would want to use it for is to share the Gospel because I realize how little I share on spiritual things. Anyway here is just a few talks that I've studied this semester that have really hit me. I'm in the process of reading a bunch more but if you ever need something good to study, here are just a few. I got most of these off BYU tv where you can search BYU Devotionals and then you can search the talks. Other ones are just from Conference. Anything good you've studied recently?

-Essential Spiritual Agency, Elder Hales, BYU Devotional
-Why not speak of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?, Robert L. Millet
-Enduring Well, Elder Maxwell
-Temple Worship: In Times of Need, Elder Scott
-Timing, Elder Oaks, BYU Devotional
-The Will of the Father in All Things, Elder Holland, BYU Devotional
-Be of Good Cheer, President Monson
-The Rank and File of the Church, President Packer
-Waiting on the Lord, President Eyring
-Finding Answers, Joseph Fielding McConkie BYU Devotional