"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things," Article of Faith 13.
If something is of Jesus Christ, it will lead me to want to do and be good. To live the teachings of Jesus, strive each day to be like Him. Keeping promises, being honest, eshewing impurity, embracing virtue, choosing modesty, publishing truth, serving others, studying scripture, praying often, giving thanks, fellowshipping others, building families, and acting charitable, we follow the teachings of Jesus.
“[The 13th] article of our faith is one of the basic declarations of our theology. We ought to reflect on it again and again. Then, whenever we might be tempted to do anything shoddy or dishonest or immoral, there would come into our minds with some force this great, all-encompassing statement of the ethics of our behavior,” Gordon B. Hinckley, Fear Not to Do Good, Ensign, Jan. 2000, 2.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, 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, The Admonition of Paul.
“Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind...It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions...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,” Elaine S. Dalton, A Return to Virtue, Ensign, Nov. 2008, 78–80.
This brings to a close my study of the Articles of Faith. It has been enlightening to me and hopefully my one or two readers have gotten something from it as well. I'm not sure what my next focus will be. Today, I'll spend time in prayer for guidance. When I leave things like this in the 'hands' of the Holy Ghost, I make much more progress down the straight and narrow way.
