Strength in Virtue

My patriarchal blessing teaches me to use my strength to build up Zion. I have spent years thinking about what that statement means and how I might apply myself appropriately.

An understanding comes to me as I read the words of Abinadi while he chastises the priests of King Noah.  He asks, “Why do ye… spend your strength with harlots?”

Upon further reflection of his question, and while stewing on the statement of my blessing, I have decided that virtue and strength are sisters—parallel principles. You can’t have one without the other; there is no mental, emotional, physical or spiritual power and fortitude unless there is virtue.

Too many people spend their strength while absorbed in pornography, infidelity, sex-texting, roaming shady chat rooms, masturbating and with other hidden or dark behavior. Sadly, when called upon to do a good work or to rise to a certain duty, these same offenders of virtue have no strength left.

Tragic.

The Lord has told us, “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.” (D/C 121)

Too soon, the time comes that life as we know it will change. Access to basic necessities and comforts such as food, clean water, health care, electricity, money and transportation will be intermittent. In those days men and women who have spent their strength unwisely, or who have no oil left in their lamps to burn, will have no strength and their hearts fail them.

“And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.” (D/C 45)

The opportunity and obligation of a faithful holder of the priesthood is to have the type of power that comes from virtuous living and from being filled with light from heaven. As such, these will stand firm on solid foundations while all else crumbles—all, all things will crumble.

Abinadi testifies that we should not be like those,”who have been warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them.” Rather we should tremble and repent of our sins.

Jacob pleas, “O be wise; what can I say more?”

Before the east wind of destruction blows, before the hail falls, before the enemy assaileth, let us repent and let us be wise.

Virtue is a life cleanly lived and full of integrity. Because of virtue, all your works can be published from the housetops in the light of day. Virtue has no secrets. If there is something to hide, you lack virtue and lack the strength to carry you through the trials of tomorrow.

We all have strengths. We all have talents. We should use them for good and for the building up of Zion. Then, after the calamity, when Christ shall appear, we shall be like him; and we will be His.

How wonderful, how marvelous shall that day be, indeed.