“Raising the Banner of Virtue”
| Since the Young Women general presidency called for an emphasis on virtue, Young Women groups throughout the world have demonstrated their commitment by waving their own gold-colored banner as a symbol of their commitment to virtue. Several of these groups have sent reports and photos to the Young Women general presidency. You can read about some of them in the article “Standing for Virtue” in the November 2009 New Era. Here are a few more groups who have shared their experiences.
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 The Young Women of the Johnstown Ward, Greeley Colorado Stake, recently made these banners as a reminder of the new virtue value and their commitment to be an example of the believers.—Krista Sorensen
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 This is the picture that we took after our Young Women group hiked up to the peak (at 6:00 a.m.) of a mountain here in Carbon County to place our flag of VIRTUE as a reminder to be an example of this newest value. We had a short devotional, placed the flag in the ground, recited the Young Women theme, and talked a little about what it all meant. Then we had a yummy breakfast overlooking the valley. One of our young women, Andrea, made the flag and used it for one of her value projects. Now when the girls drive by, they can spot it from the road and remember this morning and the Spirit we all felt.—Marilyn Daniels
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 We decided to plant a flag of virtue on a mountain in Rancho Bernardo. We began the activity by first writing in very large letters, on a very large yellow flag, the words stand for virtue. Then all of the girls and our leaders wrote their own pledge to virtue on the flag as well. We then hiked up to the top of the very, very steep hill land planted our flag. We placed our flag between some very large rocks to secure it and make sure that it would be there for a long time. After we secured the flag, we sang a couple of songs. When we were done with our singing, our chaperone took several pictures of our group. We then began the long hike back down the steep hill, this time in the dark. Even though we struggled down the mountain a bit, we still and a great time.
I think this was a great activity because we all were able to bond with one another and support each other as we try at all times to stand for virtue. It was also great that we were able to write down our pledge to lead virtuous lives, and we could see what others had written about living a virtuous life. I also liked the activity because I can see the flag from my house, and every time I look at it, it reminds me to stand for virtue. I have also shown the flag to many family members and friends that have come by my house. I hope that in the future we will be able to do more activities like this one to remind us to stay on the path of virtue. I am so grateful for the Church and all the hard work that the Young Women leaders put into these activities. “My experience hiking the flag up the mountain was amazing. I felt like we were standing up there with a purpose to show the world the value of having virtue.” “What I pledged was ‘wearing modest clothes makes me feel virtuous.’ It’s amazing to see the flag on the mountain, knowing many people, members and nonmembers alike, will see it.” “I pledged to always seek after anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”
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 We, the young women and leaders of the Orchard Park Ward, Buffalo New York Stake, wanted to share with you our experience from October 2009. After our youth temple trip to the Palmyra New York Temple, we went to the top of the Hill Cumorah to wave our banner representing the commitment each of us made to living a virtuous life. It was a windy day, and we thought we might blow away with that banner in hand. However, the girls held on firmly to display it. It was a choice feeling to be on that sacred ground, demonstrating our resolve to value virtue.
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There was added strength to the occasion as the young men and their leaders were with us. It was a day to remember!