Value: Loyalty 

Definition: Feelings of devoted attachment and affection that generate supportive actions. 

Vital Verses

• “And they answered Joshua, saying, all that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.” – Joshua 1:16
• “Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.” – I Nephi 1:5

Scriptural Example 

Joshua demonstrated loyalty when he was commanded by God to lead Israel after Moses had died. Joshua was loyal to God by obeying His commandment to “be strong and of a good courage…” (Joshua 1:8), and he fulfilled his obligations as a leader. Lehi also demonstrated loyalty when he prayed with all his heart on behalf of the people of Jerusalem when the Lord instructed him and his family to flee. Lehi was completely devoted to the Lord and had absolute faithfulness in him (1 Nephi 1). 

Value: Responsibility 

Definition: Accepting accountability with reliability; trustworthiness; fulfilling our roles as saints as appointed and as ordained 

Vital Verses

• "And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?" – Genesis 4:9
• "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." – 1 Nephi 3:7

Scriptural Example 

Judah experienced a remarkable turnaround, going from selfish boy to a man who took responsibility for his actions. Remember when Judah and his brothers visited Joseph in Egypt for the second time? Judah pledged his life to his father Jacob (Israel) that he would bring his youngest brother, Benjamin, back safely from the journey.

Value: Love, Charity 

Definition: God’s love for mankind; man’s devotion to or adoration of God; goodwill; kindness; generosity; helpfulness; tolerance; patience 

Vital Verses

• “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 22:36-40
• “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for behold he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.” ­– 2 Nephi 26:24

Scriptural Example 

How do you even begin to break down the scriptural references on the topic of love and charity? The gospel of Christ is founded on love. We could go with one of everyone’s favorite verses, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Today's article is another installment in Sister Alena X. Ricci's series on the women of the Bible.

I wonder how many people reading this blog article right now have heard this story in the context of feet washing — that some sinful woman from off the street washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. 

And that is such an amazing and important part of the story, but I want to focus on a couple of different things here in this story.

In researching this story, and in reading it over and over again, I realized that the theme of this woman’s life was dealing with deep grace.

This is not a casual story of grace, of bumping into someone and mumbling a quick apology, but of an absolute surrender and absolute forgiveness.

This is deep grace.

Value: Duty 

Definition:

• Carrying out assignments; supporting the body; fulfilling tasks, particularly when challenged by lack of understanding or excitement
• To follow customs, regulations and institutional codes out of a sense of duty
• A required act or course of action; moral obligation

Vital Verses

• “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8
• “And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.” – Alma 24:19

Scriptural Examples 

Daniel and his three friends were taken captive and carried into Babylon. There, the King commanded that they eat his meat and drink his wine. But these boys refused to defile themselves with this food, despite the urging of their overseer who feared he would be executed for their poor health. After 10 days, however, not only were they healthier and stronger than their counterparts, but God honored their integrity by blessing them with knowledge, skill, and wisdom.

Value: Rights, Respect 

Definition

• Rights: Things due a person by law or tradition
• Respect: Holding another’s rights or person in high esteem

Vital Verses

• "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." – 1 Peter 2:27
• "Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden." – 2 Nephi 26:28

Scriptural Example 

Moroni was angry as he wrote to Pahoran. His armies were losing ground at the front, while the government repeatedly ignored their petitions for men and supplies. In his stern epistle, Moroni demanded an explanation for this lack of action and made some not-so-subtle accusations. The freedom and rights of the people were at stake, and Moroni was ready to march to Zarahemla, if necessary, to root out the problem.

Value: Hope 

Definition: A confident expectation of fulfillment 

Vital Verses

• "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." – Hebrews 6:19
• "And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope." – Moroni 7:41-42

Scriptural Example 

While there are many scriptural examples to choose from, Abraham’s display of hope stands out. At the age of 75, God promised Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens. There was only one problem. Sarah was barren and Abraham was, well, old.

Value: Righteousness 

Definition: Meeting the standards of Right in the eyes of Christ 

Vital Verses

• "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." – Proverbs 11:30
• "And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." – 3 Nephi 12:6

Scriptural Example 

One of the wonderful men who exemplify righteousness in scripture is King Benjamin. Here was a man who had the duty to govern a people who were rarely righteous. They constantly departed from the ways of God and could not hold to His standards. Yet in the Words of Mormon it says he was “a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness” (v.17). He was able to serve the people with his own hands and exemplify Christ to his subjects. Through his righteous example, he was able to lead many of his people to Jesus Christ. 

Value: Unity 

Definition: Oneness; harmony; continuity without contention; brotherhood 

Vital Verses

• “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
• “And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” – Mosiah 18:21

Scriptural Example 

When we think of unity, we often think of everyone having the same job or acting in the same manner. But, in 1 Corinthians 12, Apostle Paul explains to the people of Corinth that unity doesn’t have to be thought of as “sameness or being identical,” but rather all working together for the same purpose.

Value: Congruence 

Definition: Doing the things we say we should/will do. Making our actions prove out our claims: our yeas, yeas and our nays, nays. 

Vital Verses

• “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not theyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?” – Romans 2:21
• “And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses, why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against the people, yea, even a great evil against this people?” – Mosiah 12:29

Scriptural Example 

There are many examples in the scriptures about Jesus teaching people to live in accordance with His teachings. A short example of this is with Mary and Martha. Jesus came to their house. Martha was flustered, trying to make sure everything was ready to be served to her guests, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him. Martha tried to get Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus told her that Mary was doing the right thing by listening to Him and His teachings. 

Value: Honor 

Definition: Special esteem or respect, given or received 

Vital Verses 

• "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."  – I Corinthians 6:20
• "And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears." – 3 Nephi 17:10

Scriptural Example

The Word of God directs us to show honor toward a number of people: our parents, the aged, and those in authority. It speaks of the honor between a husband and wife in marriage and even of a group of people who are deserving of “double honor,” those who labor in furthering The Church. But we also understand that all honor belongs to God and His son Jesus Christ because God prepared a plan of salvation that included the sacrifice of His only Son for the sins of every man and woman. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). 

Value: Leadership 

Definition: The capacity and ability to lead with appropriate urgency 

Vital Verses

• "Come now therefore, and I will send thee (Moses) unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt." – Exodus 3:10
• "And he (Moroni) fastened on his headplate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land." – Alma 46:19

Scriptural Example 

There are many leaders mentioned throughout scripture. Some were governmental, some were military, some spiritual, and some all of the above. One example is Moroni. He was a military and spiritual leader who, at age 25, was given command of all the Nephite armies. Moroni was a strong and mighty man, with a perfect understanding. He did not take joy in the shedding of blood but in the liberty and freedom of his country. It was said that if all men had been and were and ever would be like Moroni, the devil would have no power over the hearts of the children of men.

Value: Empathy 

Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. 

Vital Verses

• "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." – Ephesians 4:32
• "But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another." – Mosiah 4:15

Scriptural Example 

Christ wants us to be kind and to love each other as He loves us. It’s so important that we follow this! What better example do we have than Christ? He showed nothing but kindness and empathy towards others, and we should follow in his footsteps. Have you ever heard that saying, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before you judge their journey?” We all have a different walk in life, different trials to endure, and many ups and downs.

Value: Faith 

Definition: Applied belief and trust in God 

Vital Verses

• "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." – Hebrews 11:1
• "And now as I said concerning faith — faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." – Alma 32:21

Scriptural Example 

There are many famous scriptural examples of faith. Here’s one that’s lesser known: King Jehoshaphat. The Moabites gathered a big, bad army against Israel, and King J was scared. The whole kingdom fasted and prayed, and God told them that He’d fight the battle for them. All they had to do was march out and see His salvation. King J was so confident that God was with them, he placed musicians on the front lines where they sang praises — before they’d even won the battle. Singers aren’t soldiers. If King J didn’t have faith, he never would’ve put those musicians where they could be instantly killed. Read 2 Chronicles 20 to see how the story ends. 

We're on the brink of a new decade, and we want to thank you, readers, for following and supporting the Gospel Blog. Next year, we'll celebrate our ninth anniversary, and we are so thankful that God has sustained this effort, using many of you to make it a success.

January on the blog is going to be exciting.

Brother Jerry's Book of Mormon series will continue to appear each Wednesday. Fridays will be devoted to Sister Alena Ricci's popular series on women of the Bible. As for the rest of the days, we're bringing back the 2013 series that we did on The Church's values.

Throughout the month, you'll see 13 separate articles devoted to sharing each of The Church's 13 values, their definitions and applications. You'll see articles written by elders and members of all ages and walks of life, drawing on a multitude of perspectives.