Moral Courage

In our current time of moral confusion, degradation and passivity, it is time for us to stand up and have moral courage. But how do we do it, and what kind of a difference can we really make?
Here are some insights from general authorities that really have encouraged me:
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President Hinckley wisely said:

"Reformation of the world begins with reformation of self. It is a fundamental article of our faith that “we believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, [and] virtuous” (A of F 1:13).

We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of virtue unless we live lives of virtue. The example of our living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves.

Respect for self is the beginning of virtue in men. That man who knows that he is a child of God, created in the image of a divine Father and gifted with a potential for the exercise of great and godlike virtues, will discipline himself against the sordid, lascivious elements to which all are exposed. Said Alma to his son Helaman, “Look to God and live” (Alma 37:47).

It is a matter of more than passing interest that the Lord, as He spoke to the multitude on the mount, included this marvelous declaration: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

A wise man once said, “Make of yourself an honest man, and there will be one rascal fewer in the world.”

And it was Shakespeare who put into the mouth of one of his characters this persuasive injunction: “To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” 1

I should like to give to all men and women who may read these words a challenge to lift their thoughts above the filth, to discipline their acts into examples of virtue, to control their words so that they speak only that which is uplifting and leads to growth."

He continues by saying that we need to let our voice be heard.

'I am one who believes that we should earnestly and sincerely and positively express our convictions to those given the heavy responsibility of making and enforcing our laws. The sad fact is that the minority who call for greater liberalization, who peddle and devour pornography, who encourage and feed on licentious display make their voices heard until those in our legislatures may come to believe that what they say represents the will of the majority. We are not likely to get that which we do not speak up for.

Let our voices be heard. I hope they will not be shrill voices, but I hope we shall speak with such conviction that those to whom we speak shall know of the strength of our feeling and the sincerity of our effort. Remarkable consequences often flow from a well-written letter and a postage stamp. Remarkable results come of quiet conversation with those who carry heavy responsibilities.

Declared the Lord to this people:

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

“Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:33–34).

This is the essence of the matter—“the heart and a willing mind.” Speak to those who enact the regulations, the statutes, and the laws—those in government on local, state, and national levels and those who occupy positions of responsibility as administrators of our schools. Of course, there will be some who will slam the door, some who will scoff. Discouragement may come. It has always been thus. Edmund Burke, speaking on the floor of the House of Commons in 1783, declared concerning the advocate of an unpopular cause:

“He well knows what snares are spread about his path. … He is traduced and abused for his supposed motives. He will remember that obloquy is a necessary ingredient in the composition of all true glory: he will remember … that calumny and abuse are essential parts of triumph.”'
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Elder David H. Burton also gave some poignant words about virtue:

Brothers and sisters, 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.

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."

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This weekend I had the opportunity to have "moral courage" by co-hosting a 5k with the BYU Student Honor Association (as president of Students That Oppose Pornography). Our goal was to raise awareness about pornography addiction and to encourage people to commit to the Honor Code. The proceeds went toward an organization called "Fight the New Drug," which is a campaign that is reaching out to all youth and young adults to avoid pornography. This pandemic of moral degradation is far-reaching, and the brethren are talking about it more and more. While the FTND founders are focusing on the "science" of pornography use outcomes, I know that they have great moral integrity and courage. They are dedicating their lives to a cause that has reached much opposition, and will continue to be opposed.

So, in order to help them, we named the theme of the race "Commit to Virtue"- and over 162 runners showed up! Not only that, but Sister Ann Dibb and Sister Mary Cook of the General Young Women's Presidency also participated. I was so excited! All of these runners contributed to a good cause by donating their time and money during the craziest part of the semester. Advertising and awareness is extremely expensive, and so their efforts should at least make a little bit of a difference for FTND. The most encouraging thing to me, however, is that there are good people everywhere who really want to stand for what's right. One of Satan's greatest tactics in his war on purity is what I call the "group rationalization effect"- where evil makes friends with "tolerance" and individuals start to accept anything and everything in order to be apart of the group. Well, we can do the same for right- peer pressure to live like we KNOW we should- and to recognize that there is no such thing as moral relativism- that there is a very clear-cut difference between GOOD AND EVIL. Sister Dibb and Cook said some words, and stated that we can change the world with our actions- and that while standing for virtue is difficult, it ultimately makes us more "fit for the kingdom."
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So, have courage, integrity, humility, reason and purity in these matters- STAND FOR TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUESNESS! While doing so is difficult, we have been given guidance by our leaders. Elder President B. Eyring said some comforting words in this past March Ensign:

"One of the purposes of mortal life is to prove to God that we will keep His commandments when that takes courage. We passed that test in the spirit world. But a third of the hosts of heaven rebelled against the proposal that they be tested in a mortal existence where there was a risk that they would fail.

Before we were ever born, we new God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, personally. We could see Them and listen to Them as They taught and encouraged us....we must see the reality of who we are through the eyes of faith, while our bodies make us subject to carnal temptation and to physical weakness.

We have great helps to give us courage in this life. The greatest is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Spiritual gifts are another helps. We receive the Spirit of Christ at birth. That gives us the power to know when a choice before us would lead toward eternal life. The scriptures as a sure guide when we read them with the Holy Ghost as a companion. The Holy Ghost let us express thanks and ask for help in prayer with the clarity and confidence we once enjoyed with our Heavenly Father and which we will have when we return with Him. That communication with God helps us banish fear from our hearts and builds faith. The holy priesthood gives us courage in our service. In its ordinances we receive power to serve God's children, and to withstand the influence of evil. When He calls us to serve, we have this promise: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88)."

When we serve in the kingdom and stand for righteousness, chances are that we will suffer opposition from the "faster of all lies." But Joseph Smith was given the following counsel in his greatest time of suffering:

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up thy way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know though, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He? (D&C 122:7-8)."

Elder Eyring concludes by saying: "God has given us more than enough help to banish fear and give us courage, whatever we may face in life. As we reach out for His help, He can lift us toward that eternal life we week.
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Be true to what you know is right- and remember that there are plenty of people behind you. Let us have our voices be heard-and we will be supported by Heavenly Father in every action to preserve virtue.