Virtue: Power and Purity

Second in Peter’s list of attributes of the divine nature is virtue (2 Peter 1:5).  The most common meaning for the word is that of purity and chastity.  In this sense the word is used in several places in the scriptures.  For example, Mormon spoke of “that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue” (Moroni 9:9).  Paul wrote to the Philippians encouraging virtuous thoughts: “whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).  Joseph Smith used this passage to give us the counsel about virtuous living in the 13^th Article of Faith: “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”  Similarly in our day the Lord counseled, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45).  He also said to Emma and the rest of us to be “faithful and walk in the paths of virtue,” and in another section He counseled to “practice virtue and holiness before [Him] continually” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:2, 46:33).  All of these passages invite us be pure and virtuous in thought and deed, to seek after that which is holy in a world that largely rejects virtue. 

             There is another meaning the word virtue in the scriptures which is different and yet I believe related.  In the account of the woman with the issue of blood, the Savior declared, “Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me” (Luke 8:46).  Here the word denotes power; the Savior felt that power had been used to heal this woman.  Luke recorded this similarly when he described how “the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all” (Luke 6:19).  In the Book of Mormon we read of the “virtue of the word of God,” referring to its power to “lead the people to do that which was just” (Alma 31:5).  In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord spoke of the “efficacy, virtue, and force” of what we do on earth, again using the word to signify power and ability.  He referred in another revelation to the “virtue of the priesthood” signifying its authority.  Modern-day apostles have taught about the “infinite virtue of [Christ’s] great atoning sacrifice,” using the word to signify the efficacy and power of the atonement.  These references thus indicate the virtue is power in addition to purity, and I believe the two meanings are in fact related.  Purity is power; virtue in the chastity sense leads to having virtue or power to accomplish what God wants us to do.  Sister Dalton taught about this connection: “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.”  Thus to be virtuous is to work towards gaining the power of God, to be enabled to accomplish the work He has for us because His Spirit can guide and dwell in holy, virtuous temples.  Jesus had virtue or power to heal because He was perfectly virtuous and good, and our quest should be to likewise fill our lives with virtue so that we can be a force for good in the world.