Why Everything Happens for a Reason - Remembering my Brother

This week marks an anniversary for my family. Three years ago, my little brother, Daniel, died as the result of a head-on collision on his way home from work. He was in a truck with two others, and the vehicle they collided with held two more men. Both those men and Daniel died at the scene.

As I look forward to celebrating Easter this Sunday, and ponder on the resurrection of my Savior and what it means, I find myself looking back on one of the lessons I learned from my brother's death.

What is Virtue?

What is virtue?

I have been studying on developing the attributes of our Savior, and this is what I have come to in my studies about the attribute of Virtue:

Virtue is clarity and purity of self that leads to confidently choosing into living the attributes of Christ. It is the pattern of thought and action on which other strengths and attributes are built.
Doctrine and Covenants 4:6

Virtue is a pattern of thinking eternally, rather than temporally, and allows God to guide my life and create out of it the elements require to build Zion.
Doctrine and Covenants 25:2

Virtue is a pattern of thought that is the source of confidence in my standing before God, that leads to a greater understanding of His doctrine.
Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46

Virtue is honesty and integrity concerning who I am as a child of God, and that I am the equal of every other person on earth. I receive and teach lessons in that spirit. If I ever make myself out to be more or less than anyone else, than I am acting outside of virtue.
Doctrine and Covenants 38:23-27

Virtue is a prerequisite to understanding current, and receiving more, spiritual gifts.
Doctrine and Covenants 46:33

Virtue is a state of being which, when combined with other righteous traits, leads to greater belief, hope, and ability to endure. It is something to be sought after.
Articles of Faith 1:13

So, since virtue is a pattern of thinking that leads to action, how do I make create this pattern of thinking in my own mind?

I clear out the old beliefs that contradict what I want to create, that's how. Then I have room to choose the pattern that my mind follows.

I love how simple the gospel is!

#simpletruths #lds #gospelstudy