A Banner is Calling- Return

A banner is calling - return
And be a light full of virtue
That others might see and then learn
That it's always best to be true

Virtue is a pattern of thought
That gives rise to choice behavior
And when this inner strength is sought
It ultimately leads to our Savior

There to enter His temple with purity
And humbly stand at our appointed place
Tall and bright with a quiet dignity
That's born of a clear conscience and grace

For those worthy to make sacred covenants
Do receive the Holy Ghost as their guide
That protects us at the needed moments
That we're worthy no longer to hide

Now is the time for each to arise
And unfurl this banner to the world
That when comes our Savior Jesus Christ
We'll be encircled about with light swirled

That when He appears we will be like Him
Purified even as He is pure
From within our hearts to our very limbs
We'll wax strong in confidence that is sure


Elaine S. Dalton
A Return to Virtue
Ensign, Nov 2008, 78

D&C 121:45
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

Moroni 10:30
And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.
31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Moroni 7:48
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.