The Confidence Woven from Charity and Virtue: A Call to Covenant Keeping

My brethren and sisters, we stand in a day of great momentum within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Spirit whispers to us constantly about the power of preparation—preparation for the Lord's return, preparation for the covenant path, and preparation for the sacred work within the temple. We are called to be disciples, and discipleship, at its core, is a pursuit of an elevated confidence.

When I reflect on the challenges facing the rising generation, I am reminded that every life—yours, mine, even that of a new great-granddaughter—will encounter illness, disappointment, temptation, and loss. These trials are natural, but they have the power to erode the self-confidence we build on temporal achievements or fleeting feelings. The Lord, however, has provided us with a different kind of assurance: a confidence born of covenant keeping.

The Divine Source of Assurance

President Nelson reminds us that this divine confidence is not something we manufacture through sheer willpower. He points us directly to the words of the Lord: "Let thy bowels be full of charity towards all men, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly. Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." This is not merely counsel; it is the divine formula for spiritual fortitude. Our confidence before Heavenly Father is rooted in our commitment to these two pillars: Charity and Virtue.

This principle echoes the foundational truths taught in the scriptures. We are taught to walk worthy of the priesthood authority we hold, to keep our covenants, and to approach the divine presence with a heart purified by love. To approach the Father with the weight of our own merit is to stumble; to approach Him through the lens of Christ’s Atonement, supported by charity, is to walk in strength.

Charity: The Foundation of Peacemaking

The first pillar is charity. We have been called, time and time again, to be peacemakers. Let us not forget that anger, hostility, and contention are not merely poor social manners; they are spiritual impediments. They are weapons that dull the reception of the Holy Ghost. True charity, the pure love of Christ, is the antidote to the corrosive nature of modern discourse, whether in the public square or in the quiet chambers of our own hearts.

This requires a deliberate, ongoing effort. It means extending that grace—that *charity*—even to those whose views challenge our own understanding of the Restoration. It is the hallmark of a true covenant follower to treat all men with the dignity afforded to all sons and daughters of Heavenly Father. We must plead with our Heavenly Father to fill our hearts with this divine gift, especially for those who are, by our natural disposition, difficult to love.

Virtue: Guarding the Inner Sanctuary

The second pillar, virtue, speaks to the inner life. The Lord commands us to garnish our thoughts unceasingly. This is not a suggestion for occasional reflection; it is a constant watchfulness. Virtue acts as a spiritual filter. When we subject our thoughts—our internal dialogue—to the refining fire of virtue, we find that impure, cruel, or anxious thoughts lose their purchase. They are driven away.

As the world drifts further from the covenants, the need for this internal vigilance increases. Our thoughts, words, and actions must strive to be unfailingly virtuous. This purification is not achieved in isolation; it is deepened through sacred ordinances. The temple, the house of the Lord, remains the primary locus where our capacity for both charity and virtue is magnified and renewed.

Brothers and sisters, let us take these divine mandates—Charity and Virtue—and make them the operating principles for our lives. Let us use our understanding of the restored gospel not just to build our knowledge base, but to refine our very character, preparing our hearts to stand ready when the Savior returns. This is the work of the iron rod, applied to the soul.