I read an article in The New Era magazine written by Bishop H. David Burton that I LOVED. Here are some of my favorite parts!


The Ity Virtues
I wish to speak about personal traits we
call virtues. Virtuous traits form the foundation
of a Christian life and are the outward
manifestation of the inner man. The spelling
in English of many individual virtues concludes
with the letters ity: integrity, humility,
charity, spirituality, accountability, civility,
fidelity, and the list goes on and on. Relying
on literary license, I refer to the virtues ending
in ity as the “ity” virtues. “Ity” is a suffix
that means quality, state, or degree of being.
We need only look around us to see what
is taking place in our communities to realize
that personal traits of virtue are in a steep
decline. Reflect on the behavior of drivers on
crowded highways; road rage happens all too
often. Civility is all but absent in our political
discourse. As countries around the world face
financial and economic challenges, fidelity
sportsmanship and seldom show humility
unless publicly exposed for legal or moral
blame bankers and lenders for loaning sums
to satisfy insatiable wants rather than affordable
needs. On occasion our generosity in
support of good causes wanes as our appetite
to acquire more than we need prevails.
Be Firmly Fixed
We need not be a part of the virtue malaise
that is penetrating and infecting society.
If we follow the world in abandoning
Christian-centered virtues, the consequences
may be disastrous. Individual faith and fidelity,
which have eternal consequences, will
diminish. Family solidarity and spirituality
will be adversely impacted. Religious influence
in society will be lessened, and the rule
of law will be challenged and perhaps even
set aside. The seedbed for all that plagues
the natural man will have been planted, to
the sheer delight of Satan.
We need to stand tall and be firmly fixed
in perpetuating Christlike virtues, even the
“ity” virtues, in our everyday lives. Teaching
virtuous traits begins in the home with parents
who care and set the example. A good
parental example encourages emulation;
a poor example gives license to the children
to disregard the parents’ teachings and even
expand the poor example. A hypocritical
example destroys credibility. . . .
President James E. Faust suggested that
integrity is the mother of many virtues. He
noted that integrity can be defined “as a firm
adherence to a code of moral values.” He also
suggested that “integrity is the light that shines
from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength
of duty within us” It is difficult for a person to
display virtuous traits if he or she lacks integrity.
Without integrity, honesty is often forgotten.
If integrity is absent, civility is impaired. If
integrity is not important, spirituality is difficult
to maintain. In Old Testament times, Moses
counseled the children of Israel that “if a man
vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to
bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break
his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth
out of his mouth” ( Numbers 30:2 ).
President Thomas S. Monson reminded us a
few years ago that “most people will not commit
desperate acts if they have been taught
that dignity, honesty and integrity are more
important than revenge or rage; if they understand
that respect and kindness ultimately
give one a better chance at success
You may have heard about the Lost
Battalion of World War I, the ten lost tribes
of Israel, or perhaps the “lost boys” in J. M.
Barrie’s play Peter Pan. You may also be
acquainted with the album by Michael
McLean entitled The Forgotten Carols.
Virtuous traits, especially the “ity” virtues, must
never be forgotten or set aside. If forgotten
or set aside, they will inevitably become the
“lost virtues.” If virtues are lost, families will be
measurably weakened, individual faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ will soften, and important
eternal relationships may be jeopardized.
Traits of virtue broadly practiced can
loosen Satan’s firm grip on society and derail
his insidious plan to capture the hearts,
minds, and spirits of mortal men.
Now is the time for us to join in rescuing
and preserving that which is “virtuous,
lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”
As we allow virtue to garnish our thoughts
unceasingly and we cultivate virtuous traits
in our personal lives, our communities and
institutions will be improved, our children and
families will be strengthened, and faith and
integrity will bless individual lives.