Walk in the Paths of Virtue

In chapter seven of his book Heart of the Matter, President Nelson quoted this statement from Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? . . . Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this” (“The Women of God,” Ensign, May 1978). What happens in families under the guidance of faithful and loving mothers is of far more weight in the eternal scheme of things than what the world focuses on. President Nelson added these words of encouragement for women, “I urge all women to pray to understand their unique spiritual gifts and to cultivate, use, and expand them even more than they have before. Women will literally change the world as they do so. In fact, I have no reservation in declaring that women—and especially women of faith—are our hope for the future!” He referred to a prophecy by President Kimball that the future growth of the Church would come from women who “reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives.” President Kimball said that this growth would come “to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.” President Nelson then declared that this day was here: “I have no hesitation in declaring that the day that President Kimball foresaw is today. The righteous women of the Lord’s Church today are the ones President Kimball foresaw! Their virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, and faith will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers.” I am grateful for a wife who is a part of the fulfilment of that prophecy, who indeed seeks to be distinct and different from the world as she shows her unwavering love and commitment for the Lord and His gospel.

                As I pondered these prophetic words, I wondered how I can then help my daughters to also be a part of the modern-day fulfilment of President Kimball’s vision for women. How can I cultivate in them “virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, and faith” that will set them apart from the vulgarity and immorality and materialism of our day? President Nelson also quoted the Lord’s revelation to Emma Smith, and this surely holds some of the keys to helping the Lord’s daughters stay faithful in the last days. The Lord ended the revelation with these words, “I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all,” suggesting that it was indeed applicable to far more people than just Emma. He said, “If thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life…. Thou shalt receive the Holy Ghost, and thy time shall be given to writing, and to learning much…. And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better…. Cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made. Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride… Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:2, 9-10, 13-15). I need to teach my daughters to fill their lives with virtue, faithfulness, the Holy Ghost, and a love for learning. They need to set aside the things of the world and seek instead for the things of God. I need to help them to cleave to the covenants they make with the Lord, starting with that of baptism in which they promised to remember Him and take His name upon them. They need meekness and a steadfastness in keeping the Lord’s commandments. That, of course, is much easier to write down than to teach, but that is the mark that the Lord has given us to aim for. I earnestly hope that all my daughters can obtain that “crown of righteousness” from Him and someday an eternal place where He is.