Elaine Dalton

Since the only exciting pictures of Iceland recently have been sunrises, sunsets and snow of which I have previously provided pictures, I thought I would share some thoughts from October General Conference.  Elaine Dalton, Young Women General President said "Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us?"  When I heard her I thought yes we have seen that happen.  What really struck me was when reading her talk, I saw the footnote for the comment.  It was attributed to Alexander Pope from his 'An Essay on Man' published 1733-34.  The actions of men really haven't changed that much except for the blessings of the restored gospel to help us realize the dangers before us and also help us become better.  The following is from her talk without the footnotes:   

".... Virtue is a prerequisite to entering the Lord’s holy temples and to receiving the Spirit’s guidance. 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 nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. 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. President Monson has counseled: “You be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. ...."

Could it be that we have been slowly desensitized into thinking that high moral standards are old-fashioned and not relevant or important in today’s society? ... Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us? Could it be that we have been deceived by false role models and persuasive media messages that cause us to forget our divine identity? ... What could be more deceptive than to entice the youth of this noble generation to do nothing or to be busy ever-texting but never coming to a knowledge of the truths contained in a book that was written for you and your day by prophets of God—the Book of Mormon? What could be more deceptive than to entice women, young and old, you and me, to be so involved in ourselves, our looks, our clothes, our body shape and size that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence? What could be more deceptive than to entice men—young and old, holding the holy priesthood of God—to view seductive pornography and thus focus on flesh instead of faith, to be consumers of vice rather than guardians of virtue? ..."