What is Virtue?

The 13th Article of Faith says, “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Doctrine and Covenants 121:45 says, “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.” In the April 2025 General Conference, President Nelson said, “Virtue makes everything better and happier!”¹

So what is virtue? How can we “garnish” our thoughts with it? And why is it so good for us?

“Virtue” is anything good

There are a lot of definitions for “virtue,” but all of them can be summed up by saying that “virtue” is any good thing. The following sources provide definitions for virtue:

• The Cambridge Dictionary says virtue is “a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good.”²
• The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines virtue as “conformity to a standard of right,” “a particular moral excellence,” or “a commendable quality or trait.”³
• The Wikipedia article for “virtue” says it is “a trait of excellence, including traits that may be moral, social, or intellectual.”⁴

It may be helpful to understand virtue if we also consider its opposite. The Wikipedia article for virtue says that “[t]he opposite of virtue is vice.”⁵ Vice “can refer to a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhealthy habit.”⁶ The Cambridge dictionary defines vice as “a moral fault or weakness in someone’s character,” or “immoral behavior.”⁷ In other words, virtue is anything that is good, and vice is anything that is bad.

The ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle taught four “cardinal” virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.⁸ In modern language, they have been called “wisdom [prudence], courage [fortitude], self-control [temperance], and justice.”⁹ They are called the “cardinal” virtues because the philosophers believed that “all other virtues fall under them and hinge upon them.”¹⁰

This term “virtue” essentially means all good things, or good personality traits.

Virtue should be measured by God’s standards

In saying that “virtue” is something good, we have to take the next step and define what is “good.” That can be challenging when society’s standards are constantly changing.

The website BetterHelp was established to make mental health care more accessible.¹¹ It has a page for “advice,” and on that page is an article titled “What It Means To Be Morally Right: A Guide To Ethical Behavior.”¹² This article demonstrates some of the problems of trying to define morality in a society with shifting values:

• “The debate over morally right actions typically focuses on ethics, which involves figuring out whether certain actions are right or wrong. The study of ethics often investigates questions like how we should live our lives, how to be happy, what knowledge is, and what being virtuous means.”
• “So, what does it mean when we say something is ‘morally right’? This phrase points to actions, beliefs, or decisions that match moral principles and are considered morally good. This involves discerning the difference between what’s right and wrong–a process guided by values that may show us how to act in society.”
• “Moral relativism is a viewpoint that claims morality is subjective and can change based on the culture or society. This challenges the idea that there is an objective standard for deciding what’s morally right or wrong. One potential way to manage moral relativism is to find common moral principles across different societies. There might still be disagreements and debates, and finding universally shared values might not be possible given the wide range of cultural, religious, and social influences on moral beliefs.”

Similarly, the concept of “vice” also shifts based on societal standards. In 1988, a professor of law at the University of California at Berkeley stated, “because vice both represents and results from moral ambivalence, it is distinguishable from the concept of crime; vice is continually subject to reevaluation. Attitudes toward vice are thus inherently unstable. Further, moral ambivalence varies, depending upon how the particular characteristics of a vice [correspond to] basic cultural values. Values are often inconsistent with one another and drift over time in their perceived importance, taking on different significance from one decade to the next. Society’s evaluation of social policies regarding vice are heavily influenced by these shifting values and, thus, limit the possibility of rational and scientific policy analysis.”¹³

While it can be challenging to determine what is morally right or virtuous based on society’s understanding, it is clearly established according to God’s law. For example, in 1831 the Lord gave a revelation to the newly established Church setting forth his law:

• “Thou shalt not kill.” D&C 42:18.
• “Thou shalt not steal.” D&C 42:20.
• “Thou shalt not lie.” D&C 42:21.
• “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else.” D&C 42:22.
• “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” D&C 42:24.
• “Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm.” D&C 42:27.
• “[T]hou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support.” D&C 42:30.
• “[T]hou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain.” D&C 42:40.
• “[L]et all things be done in cleanliness before me.” D&C 42:41.
• “Thou shalt not be idle.” D&C 42:42.
• “Thou shalt live together in love.” D&C 42:45.
• “Thou shalt stand in the place of thy stewardship.” D&C 42:53.
• “Thou shalt not take thy brother’s garment; thou shalt pay for that which thou shalt receive of thy brother.” D&C 42:54.

These laws represent the Lord’s values, or virtues that we need to develop. They also correlate with the Savior’s Sermon on the Mount,¹⁴ which one author has described as “a good place to start if we are seeking to consider what specific virtues followers of Jesus should aspire to.”¹⁵

If we think of virtue as good things, or things that are morally right, we need an anchor. We need to measure what is good or virtuous by a standard. The only standard that is unchanging is that which is set by God. The Guide to the Scriptures defines virtue as, “Integrity and moral excellence, power and strength (Luke 8:46), or sexual purity (Moroni 9:9).” These traits are clearly defined in the scriptures and the words of the prophets and apostles.

Jesus Christ is the standard

As we consider the question of what is virtue, or what it means to be virtuous, Jesus Christ is the example and the standard. Of his childhood and teenage years, we are told simply, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. . . . And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”¹⁶

In talking about how we can draw the power of Jesus Christ into our lives, President Nelson said, “We begin by learning about Him. ‘It is impossible for [us] to be saved in ignorance.’ The more we know about the Savior’s ministry and mission—the more we understand His doctrine and what He did for us—the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives.”¹⁷ Certainly, if we want to learn about virtue, we should learn about Jesus Christ.

And if we want to live a virtuous life, we should strive to follow His example. He said simply, “what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”¹⁸ That is certainly a high standard, but it is a standard we can learn about and work toward. The Savior is our perfect example of virtue.

Virtue contributes to our well-being

An article on the Psychology Today website referenced various studies that found a relationship between virtue and well-being:

• A study found high correlations between “cultivating the cardinal virtues and flourishing, purpose and meaning, engagement in daily activities, and positive emotions.”¹⁹
• Another study “found that activities in line with virtue such as being grateful, volunteering, and persevering in a task were associated with higher well-being.”²⁰
• A third study concluded that there is “a clear association between happiness and virtue, which seems particularly strong when it comes to self-transcendent virtues such as hope, zest, gratitude, love, and curiosity.”²¹
• Another study argued that virtue and happiness form a “virtuous cycle . . . with causation operating in both directions. For example, if you are loving to others, you will most likely feel happier as a result. Other people may well reciprocate, in which case your sense of well-being will increase further and your motivation to be loving will be reinforced.”²²

The results of these studies shouldn’t be surprising. As we focus on good things, our lives will be better. Considering the definition of virtue should be anchored on God’s standards, we could say that as we focus our lives on virtue using standards established in the scriptures and by God’s prophets, we will have greater happiness and well-being.

Letting virtue garnish our thoughts is more than just thinking good things

The charge to “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts”²³ is more than just having a positive attitude, or thinking about good things. As we let our thoughts dwell on virtue, we are more likely to develop virtuous traits and live virtuous lives.

If we are making an effort to let our mind dwell on virtuous things, that will reinforce within us a sense of positivity, or seeing good around us. This sense of optimism has been shown to have a physical impact:

“Research has consistently shown a positive correlation between the activity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and optimism . . . [which is] involved in processing happiness, pleasure, and reward, with research suggesting that it responds more strongly to positive emotional states. . . . Optimism also seems to influence the brain’s dopamine system, which regulates feelings of pleasure and motivation. When people anticipate positive outcomes, dopamine is released, reinforcing the optimistic mindset. This creates a feedback loop in which optimistic thinking leads to positive emotional experiences, which in turn strengthens the neural pathways associated with optimism.”²⁴

As we focus our thoughts on virtue, virtuous actions will follow. Letting virtue “garnish” our thoughts will lead to a more virtuous, and therefore happy, life.

We should strive for virtuous thoughts

In the April 2025 General Conference, President Nelson gave us a simple promise regarding the impact of striving for virtuous thoughts:

“The Lord tells us to garnish our thoughts unceasingly with virtue. Imagine the boost you will receive to any positive thought when you enhance it with virtue. Virtue makes everything better and happier! On the other hand, imagine what will happen when you add virtue to an impure thought, a cruel thought, or a depressing thought. Virtue will drive away those thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.”²⁵

How can we increase virtuous thoughts, or how can we increase our virtue? Although not an exhaustive list, the following can help:

• When confronted with the wickedness of his people, the prophet Alma “thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.” (Alma 31:5). As we strive for virtuous thoughts and actions, we should rely upon the scriptures rather than shifting societal values. We can strive for more virtuous thoughts as we diligently study the scriptures and ponder what we read.
• President Nelson has said, “Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity.”²⁶ Spending more time in the temple will help increase our capacity for virtue.
• During his last conference talk, President Nelson invited us to “take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord.”²⁷ Increasing our virtue requires intentionality.

Simply stated, letting virtue garnish our thoughts requires intentional efforts to learn about virtue by studying the scriptures, making intentional efforts to focus our minds on virtuous traits and actions, and making intentional efforts to live those virtuous traits. This intentionality may not be easy, but it will result in more virtuous, and therefore more happy and fulfilling lives.

References

1. Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God,” April 2025, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/57nelson?lang=eng&id=p_x7nVp#p_x7nVp. ↩︎
2. “Virtue,” Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/virtue. ↩︎
3. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “virtue,” accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue. ↩︎
4. Wikipedia, “Virtue,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue. ↩︎
5. Wikipedia, “Virtue.” ↩︎
6. Wikipedia, “Vice,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice. ↩︎
7. “Vice,” Cambridge, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vice. ↩︎
8. Wikipedia, “Cardinal virtues,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_virtues. By the way, I can’t believe I’m quoting Wikipedia. But it has a nice summary of these writings. And the point isn’t to establish the accuracy of the Wikipedia article, but to show as an example that “virtues” are basically all good things. ↩︎
9. Tim LeBon M.Phil., “Virtues, Happiness, and Stoicism,” May 1, 2023, Psychology Today website, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/365-ways-to-be-more-stoic/202305/virtues-happiness-and-stoicism. ↩︎
10. Wikipedia, “Cardinal virtues.” ↩︎
11. See https://www.betterhelp.com/about/. ↩︎
12. April Justice, LICSW and Andrea Brant, LMHC, “Interpreting What It Means to Be Morally Right: A Guide to Ethical Behavior,” BetterHelp, accessed April 16, 2025, https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/morality/interpreting-what-it-means-to-be-morally-right-a-guide-to-ethical-behavior/ ↩︎
13. Jerome H. Skolnick, “The Social Transformation of Vice,” Law and Contemporary Problems 51, no. 4 (1988): 9–31, https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3934&context=lcp. ↩︎
14. Matthew 5 through 7. ↩︎
15. “Determining What Is Virtuous,” https://www.theologyofwork.org/key-topics/ethics/narrative-case-presentation-of-ethics/the-character-approach-narrative/determining-what-is-virtuous/. ↩︎
16. Luke 2:40, 52. ↩︎
17. Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ Into Our Lives,” April 2017, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng. ↩︎
18. 3 Nephi 27:27. ↩︎
19. LeBon, “Virtues, Happiness, and Stoicism.” ↩︎
20. LeBon, “Virtues, Happiness, and Stoicism.” ↩︎
21. LeBon, “Virtues, Happiness, and Stoicism.” ↩︎
22. LeBon, “Virtues, Happiness, and Stoicism.” ↩︎
23. Doctrine and Covenants 121:41. ↩︎
24. Jessica Koehler Ph.D., “Wired for Positivity: How Optimism Shapes Our Well-Being,” September 13, 2024, Psychology Today Website, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-school-walls/202409/wired-for-positivity-how-optimism-shapes-our-well-being. ↩︎
25. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God.” ↩︎
26. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God.” ↩︎
27. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God.” ↩︎