At the most recent Young Women’s Meeting, Sis. Cook challenged ALL women to fulfill the Personal Progress requirements for the value VIRTUE.  The pamphlet is free at the Distribution Center (you could probably get one from your ward Young Women’s President).

The definition of Virtue tends to be very nebulous.  When the Young Women leaders spoke to us they talked mostly about being pure, being chaste, and being worthy of entering the temple.  President Monson spoke on Courage-a perfect example of virtue.  Virtue is the courage to act pure, chaste, and holy, even when others choose otherwise. 
 
There are four experiences and one project to complete.  These experiences demand a “thinking process” where you are to realize how you really feel about the gospel and how you choose to live the standards laid out before you.   We all know what is expected of us—a very high standard.  We have to decide for ourselves how close we want to align ourselves with that expectation.

1)       The first experience is to strive to be sexually clean and pure.  How do we know when we achieve this standard of living?  Does this involve just ourselves, or the people we surround ourselves with?  Are we willing to separate ourselves from those who would bring us down; including friends, media, music?  Do our clothing and actions speak for us what we want to say?  Are we aware of evil around us, so we can avoid being trapped, play things smart, act instead of react?
2)      Virtuous living allows the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion.  The second experience is to practice feeling the Spirit; recognizing His warnings, feeling joy when you choose well, enjoying the confidence that comes with blessings of obedience.  I think that’s a big one:  the self-confidence that comes with obedience.  We need to stop being embarrassed, or self-conscious, when we choose a higher standard.  We are never alone, because that is when the Holy Ghost is with us.
3)      If we haven’t been to the temple yet, we need to do what it takes to get there.  If we don’t go to the temple regularly, we need to strive to get there more often.  If we can’t attend the temple very often, we need to keep ourselves worthy to hold on to that temple recommend.  The third experience is a true achievement and a manifestation of sweet blessings the Lord has in store for us.
4)      The last experience is a commitment to live this high standard from here on out.  As you complete the previous experiences, you become familiar with your firm position.  Now, you settle comfortably into the higher standard in which you have chosen.  You must learn to love this new person you are now compelled to be.  You must feel the confidence, joy, and satisfaction that comes when God is with you and you know it. 
 
The Project is to read the Book of Mormon all the way through.   As you read, search out the virtuous examples of the Savior.  Look for examples of courage in His prophets.  Who chose to take the high road, to come out of the mists of darkness, to repent and choose God’s way?  When did the blessings come for these people?  Digest the testimonies of those who discovered that true virtue is what brings happiness; warnings are real and meant to be heeded; avoiding sin is easier than repenting from it.
 
These goals are worthy of our attention, diligence, and achievement.  I challenge all of us to sharpen our focus in the way we live the gospel.