From the Life of Gordon B. Hinckley

What is the meaning of President Hinckley’s ‘parable’ of the Key Bank Building?

1. Virtuous living brings marvelous and wonderful blessings.

See: Christ-like attributes – Virtue

From the manual:

Is there a valid case for virtue? It is the only way to freedom from regret. The peace of conscience which flows therefrom is the only personal peace that is not counterfeit.

How might you respond to someone who argues that there is not a valid case for virtue?

‘In our journey toward eternal life, purity must be our constant aim. To walk and talk with God, to serve with God, to follow his example and become as a god, we must attain perfection. In his presence there can be no guile, no wickedness, no transgression. In numerous scriptures he has made it clear that all worldliness, evil and weakness must be dropped before we can ascend unto “the hill of the Lord.”‘ (Spencer W Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969], chap. 2)

2. When we rise above the filth and immorality of the world, we enjoy greater happiness, security, and peace of mind.

Watch: Shun immorality President Hinckley encourages church members to avoid the immorality we have in the world today.

From the manual:

We believe in chastity before marriage and total fidelity after marriage. That sums it up. That is the way to happiness in living. That is the way to satisfaction. It brings peace to the heart and peace to the home.

Why is chastity “the way to happiness in living”?

3. Pornography is addictive and destructive, but we can rise above it.

From the manual:

You live in a world of terrible temptations. Pornography, with its sleazy filth, sweeps over the earth like a horrible, engulfing tide. It is poison. Do not watch it or read it. It will destroy you if you do. It will take from you your self-respect. It will rob you of a sense of the beauties of life. It will tear you down and pull you into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly of evil actions. Stay away from it. Shun it as you would a foul disease, for it is just as deadly. Be virtuous in thought and in deed.

How can we find the strength to be virtuous in though and dead in this world of terrible temptations?

4. With discipline and effort, we can control our thoughts and actions.

“The pain of self-discipline will never be as great as the pain of regret.” Anonymous

From the manual:

Mental control must be stronger than physical appetites or desires of the flesh. As thoughts are brought into complete harmony with revealed truth, actions will then become appropriate. … Each of us, with discipline and effort, has the capacity to control our thoughts and our actions. This is part of the process of developing spiritual, physical, and emotional maturity.

What are some practical things we can do to keep our thoughts clean?

5. Those who have been involved in immoral behavior can be forgiven and can rise above the past.

Watch: Return to Virtue Elaine S. Dalton, a leader of the Young Women organization, urges young people to develop the strength that comes from living a virtuous life.

From the manual:

Let me … assure you that if you have made a mistake, if you have become involved in any immoral behavior, all is not lost. Memory of that mistake will likely linger, but the deed can be forgiven, and you can rise above the past to live a life fully acceptable unto the Lord where there has been repentance. He has promised that He will forgive your sins and remember them no more against you (see D&C 58:42).

“When you have fully repented, you feel an inner peace. You know somehow you are forgiven because the burden you have carried for so long, all of a sudden isn’t there anymore. It is gone and you know it is gone” (Elder F Burton Howard, in Conference Report, Apr. 1983)