Sister Elaine S. Dalton: Guardians of virtue
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It is through walking in the paths of virtue and cleaving unto covenants that individuals can be happy, Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president said during the General Young Women Meeting held in the Conference Center on March 26.
"Young women, in a world ever growing in moral pollution, tolerance of evil, exploitation of women and distortion of roles, you must stand guard of yourself, your family and all those with whom you associate. You must be guardians of virtue."
Sister Dalton shared a story about attending a temple wedding of a friend. She spoke of the beautiful sight of the bride dressed in white, entering the temple worthily to participate in temple worship and make sacred covenants.
"As she entered the room, I wished with all my heart that every young woman could envision that moment and strive to always be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple in preparation to enjoy the blessings of exaltation," Sister Dalton said. "She saw her family, her future family — her posterity. I know that she understood again in that moment how important it is to believe in being chaste and virtuous. There is no more beautiful sight than a couple properly prepared kneeling together at the altar of the temple."
It is by living righteously young women are able to become guardians of virtue who protect and defend moral purity.
"As a guardian of virtue, you will protect, shield and defend moral purity because the power to create mortal life is a sacred and exalted power and must be safe-guarded until you are married," Sister Dalton said. "Virtue is a requirement to have the companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost. You will need that guidance in order to successfully navigate the world in which you live."
Being virtuous is a requirement to enter the temple, and it is a requirement to be worthy to stand in the Savior's presence, Sister Dalton said. It is through living the principles of Personal Progress and the standards found in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet that prepare young women to become 'more fit for the kingdom.'
Sister Dalton shared a story of a group of young women from Alpine, Utah, who decided to walk from the Draper Utah Temple to the Salt Lake Temple — a 22 mile walk — as an inspiration to focus on and remain worthy of entering the temple.
"They had prepared well and they knew they were prepared," Sister Dalton said. "Their eyes were set on their goal. Each step they took was symbolic of each of you as you too are preparing now to enter the temple. Your personal training has begun with your daily personal prayers, your daily reading of the Book of Mormon and your working on Personal Progress.
"As these young women continued to walk, there were distractions along the course. But they stayed focused on their goal," Sister Dalton said. "For each of you, there are many distractions, hurts and obstacles along your path to the temple, but you too are determined and keep going. … Your course is marked and you can be assured that the Savior has not only walked the course, but will again walk it with you — every step of the way."
As the young women reached their goal of the Salt Lake Temple, tears filled their eyes as each young woman walked up to the temple and placed her hand on the sacred stone. There they made a silent commitment to always be worthy to enter the temple.
"The temple walk is a metaphor for life," Sister Dalton said. "Parents and priesthood leaders stood guard along the route. They provided support and aid. Young women guarded and encouraged each other. Young men admired the strength, commitment and stamina of the young women. Brothers carried sisters who had been injured. Families rejoiced with their daughters as they ended their walk at the temple and took them safely home."
It is through preparing well and guarding personal virtue that individuals are able to stay on the path to the temple, said Sister Dalton. Individuals must guard their personal virtue and the virtue of others with whom they associate.
"It starts with believing you can make a difference," Sister Dalton said. "It starts with making a commitment. … Making decisions in advance will help you be guardians of virtue. I hope each of you will write a list of things you will always do and things you will never do. Then live your list."
Being a guardian of virtue means individuals will always be modest, not only in dress, but also in speech, actions and use of social media, Sister Dalton said.
"Being a guardian of virtue means that you will never text words or images to young men that may cause them to lose the Spirit, lose their priesthood power or lose their virtue. "
Being a guardian of virtue also means individuals understand the importance of chastity because of an understanding that bodies are temples and that the sacred powers of procreation and not to be tampered with before marriage, Sister Dalton said.
"For the mothers listening tonight, you are your daughters' most important example of modesty and virtue — thank you," Sister Dalton said. "Never hesitate to teach them that they are royal daughters of God and that their value is not based on their sensual appeal. And let them see your belief modeled correctly and consistently in your own personal attitude and appearance. You are also guardians of virtue."
Just as the early Church members kept their eye on the temple as they gave everything they had to build and attend the temple, so can young women today, Sister Dalton said.
"They endured many things and so can we. The thirteenth Article of Faith is what we believe because those are the very things that qualify us to be worthy to enter the temple and to one day stand in our Heavenly Father's presence — proven, pure and sealed. …
"Prepare for that day when you will come to the Lord's temple worthy and prepared to make sacred covenants. As guardians of virtue, you will want to seek the Savior in His holy house."
