Personal Progress (Virtue #1)

In my last post, I said I wanted to got my Young Womanhood Medallion by the time school starts again in the fall.  I think it's totally doable since leaders don't have to do as much as the girls!  I decided to keep my Personal Progress journal here (for the most part) in order to hold myself accountable to more people than just myself!  So, here we go...

Virtue #1
Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity and purity. The power to create mortal life is an exalted power God has given His children. He has commanded that this power be used only between a man and a woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Study the meaning and importance of chastity and virtue by reading Moroni 9:9; Jacob 2:28; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page 101); and the section on sexual purity in For the Strength of Youth. Also read Article of Faith number thirteen and Proverbs 31:10–31. In your journal write the promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure and your commitment to be chaste.

Moroni 9:9 - Chastity and virtue are most precious and dear.
Jacob 2:28 - The Lord delights in the chastity of women
Proverbs 31:10-31 - If... you have virtue, Then... you are valued; trust is built in virtuous relationships; a woman should be a hard worker, have strength and honor, wisdom, kindness, not idle away her time, revere the Lord, give freely of herself... and her child shall call her blessed and her husband shall praise her. 
The Family: A Proclamation to the World - Marriage between man and woman is ordained of God, gender is an essential characteristic, we must have ordinances or the temple to return to God (and be worthy to receive those ordinances), procreative powers are meant to be used only between a husband wife who are lawfully married, celestial marriage is essential to His eternal plan, children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and are to be reared by a father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.  Those who violate covenants of chastity will stand accountable before God.
For the Strength of Youth - Sexual Purity - Physical intimacy is beautiful, sacred, ordained of God for two reasons: to procreate and to express love.  Listening to promptings will give you protection from spiritual, physical and emotional damage.  Pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit before it withdraws from you.  The Spirit will let you know when you're at risk and give you strength.
Article of Faith #13 - We believe in being chaste and virtuous.  We seek after virtuous things. 

Blessings: Peace of mind, heart, and body.  Trust.  Good relationship.  Favored of God.  Don't have to worry about legal situations, unwanted pregnancies, being caught, possible divorce, diseases.  True happiness.

My thoughts: This was something that I personally struggled with in my dating years.  I had a very strong testimony, I was extremely involved in church, I loved firesides, I went to EFY at ages 16 and 17, and I considered myself very spiritual.  But, I loved my boyfriend, too!  And there is a reason the prophet says not to steady date before missions.  I sent my boyfriend off to England worthily, but there are many things I would've changed about our relationship and my other relationships that followed after that one ended.  If I could've seen the bigger picture (or payed attention to the promptings I repeatedly felt in my heart and mind), I would've known that playing with fire isn't worth it - you will get burned.     
Fast-forward to 2008 - My sister's marriage all but fell apart when my brother-in-law's poor choices regarding chastity and virtue were revealed in a very public way with the police involved and a story in the newspaper.  He broke her heart.  He lost her trust.  He's been sitting in Utah State Prison since September 2009.   
Being married, I can appreciate what physical intimacy really means.  It's something that only a husband and wife can give to each other in times of need and to feel as close as you can possibly get to each other.  It is not something to be used as a "want" or a bargaining tool; it is sacred.
My commitment: I promise to Heavenly Father, Charles, my future children, and myself that I will remain chaste and virtuous, and I will totally and completely honor the covenants I have made in the temple.