Pure

1. Definition:
1. 1828: Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.
1. Moral (values)
2. Incorrupt (worthy)
3. Holy (divine)
1. Something which is pure is that which has a sanctified set of values (or morals) which makes that thing worthy of the divine in this world and the next.
2. Quotes:
1. “We can let the events that surround us determine our actions—or we can personally take charge and rule our lives, using as guidelines the principles of pure religion. Pure religion is learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and then putting it into action. Nothing will ever be of real benefit to us until it is incorporated into our own lives.” (General Conference, October 1982, Marvin J. Ashton)
1. A value is not something you have, it is something you are. To be pure we must act on those divine principles so that we can become purified.
2. “I pray that we will seek through the Savior’s Atonement to have both clean hands and a pure heart, that we may become holy, without spot. I witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Eternal Father and our Savior. He who is without spot redeems us from sin and strengthens us to do good and to become better.” (General Conference, October 2007, David A. Bednar)
1. The ability to be clean and pure, holy and without spot, comes from the Savior’s Atonement. By living worthy of His sanctifying, eternal, divine gift, our hearts and hands become purified.
3. “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” (Buddha)
1. To live a pure life, we must live a life of virtue and goodness. We know that God and Christ are the ultimate source of that goodness and virtue.
3. Scriptures:
1. “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 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 10: 32-33)
1. This scripture lays out the process for becoming like Christ, which is the ultimate Purefection. Deny yourself of corrupt things with all your strength, and then rely on the grace of God and you will become perfect in Christ. Then, if we do not deny Him, we become sanctified and are worthy to enter the holy presence of God.
4. Personal Definition:

We came to this world to learn how to become pure. Something which is pure is that which is worthy of divinity. It gain that worthiness by its attention to true, incorrupt principles of truth, or virtues. The only way we can truly follow this process in our lives is by both faith and works. After all we can do we must rely on the arm of the Savior to purify and sanctify us for eternity.

Procrastination

1. Definition
1. 1828: A putting off to a future time; delay; dilatoriness
1. Future (later)
2. Delay (detain)
3. Dilatoriness (laziness)
1. To procrastinate is to put off something till later.
2. Quotes from Prophets
1. “Procrastination is unproductive delay. Someone has wisely said, “Procrastination is a silly thing, it only makes me sorrow; but I can change at any time—I think I will tomorrow!”” (MARVIN J. ASHTON, General Conference, April 1983)
1. Procrastination is brought about by laziness. When you procrastinate you are really just becoming miserable.
2. “One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, is an unwillingness to accept personal responsibility now” (Spencer W. Kimball)
1. Procrastination is one of the worst of the worst things you can do, when you procrastinate you lose your worthiness and your exaltation.
3. Scriptures
1. And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance; (Alma 13:27)
1. Procrastination of your “day of repentance” can and will result in loss of your eternal glory.
4. Personal Definition

I feel that procrastination is of the devil. If you take time to actively pursue your salvation you can achieve it. It’s been said that Satan does not just have to make us do evil things, but if he can make us do nothing (I might say do nothing... till later) then he will have us and will lead us down to hell.

Persistence

1. Definition
1. 1828: The state of persisting; steady pursuit of what is undertaken; perseverance in a good or evil course, more generally in that which is evil and injurious to others, or unadvisable.
1. Pursuit (dream)
2. Perseverance (tenacity)
1. Persistence is to not give up in striving towards something good
2. Quotes from Prophets
1. “We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness.” (ANN M. DIBB, General Conference, October 2009)
1. As afore shown, persistence is good! Stubbornness has the same idea but a different principle behind it.
2. “Gaining a testimony and becoming converted begins with study and prayer, then living the gospel with patience and persistence and inviting and waiting upon the Spirit.” (ROBERT D. HALES, General Conference, October 2003)
1. Persistence is something that God wants us to master. If we are persistent in living the gospel, we will receive exaltation.
3. Scriptures
1. And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.(Doctrine and Covenants 127:4)
1. Once more we see that this is something that Christ wants us to learn to do. Persevere!
4. Personal Definition

Before writing this I felt the Persistence was a neutral word, one that could define something bad as well as something good. No so. This is a good word. God has commanded us to be persistent in good, righteous things. If we follow the same principle of persistence in a bad way or form, that is stubbornness.  Let’s get persistent!

Passion

1. Definition:
1. 1828: Zeal; ardor; vehement desire.
1. Zeal (vigor)
2. Ardor (emotion)
3. Desire (enthusiasm)
1. Passion is really loving what you are doing, at the ground level. When you feel a strong emotion towards some action, with enthusiasm, you exhibit passion.
2. Quotes:
1. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” (Harriet Tubman)
1. Passion is a key element in large change, without passion there is no lasting change, nor is there the desire towards it.
2. “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living” (Nelson Mandela)
1. Passion must be big! If our passion is small, the change we create will also be small. But we are capable of huge change. We must not settle for less.
3. Scriptures:
1. “Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.” (Alma 38:12)
1. Passion is not an inherently good thing. You have to bridle it, make it yours. Only when you bridle them, and turn them towards good.
2. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” (James 5:17)
1. This prophet had bridled his passions. He had them. They could’ve been bad. But he had control. And because of that he was able to change the very essence of nature.
4. Personal Definition:

Passion is a neutral attribute. We all have passions, but they can be controlled. When we control our passion, it can make us powerful leaders that can change the world. But only if our passions are big. If not, we are aiming below our standards, and will not make anything better. Passion is a powerful feeling, be it good or bad. It is a strong emotion.