Several weeks ago I posted about my desire to work on the characteristic of temperance.  I have been mindful of that word and that quality for weeks now and I have seen some progress.  I purchased a pair of shoes off of a clearance rack.  A few days later I took them back because good deal or not, I did not need them.  I have been trying to monitor my actions and my desires.  I have also been trying to be temperate in my feelings and emotions but yesterday I had a major setback.  I am hesitant to move forward to another quality because I do not feel that I have temperance mastered, but I will add another quality and continue with them both.

Before moving on however, I must share the following lines that I read this morning from a General Conference talk by Elder Robert Hales, April 2017:

Disciples lives so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, 

as into a spiritual tapestry.

The attributes of the Savior are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, 

which develop in us in interactive ways.  In other words, we cannot obtain one 

Christlike characteristic without also obtaining and influencing others.  As one 

characteristic becomes strong, so do many more.

As temperate disciples, we live the gospel in a balanced and steady way.  

Day by day we move forward, undeterred by the refining challenges of mortality.  

From temperance to patience and from patience to godliness, our natures change.  

The words of Elder Hales' suggested that I now add patience to my list of Christlike attributes.  This will be a tough one for me because in my quest to maximize time, I am often impatient.  Here goes! 

We had our Ward Conference a couple of weeks ago and we were invited to set some personal goals in order to draw closer to the Savior. I have a goal to develop Christlike qualities.  I found a list of them in Doctrine and Covenants sections 4 and 25. (similar to the list in Preach My Gospel)  I am going to take one quality at a time and study that quality, pray for it each day, and do things to acquire the quality or strengthen it.  I may write occasionally about the quality I am working on.  This week I am focusing on TEMPERANCE.

Temperance: moderation or self-restraint
Moderation: the avoidance of excess or extremes

I noticed in Proverbs 23:21 and Proverbs 23:20 that gluttony is noted in a negative way.

In Matthew 23:25 the scribes and Pharisees are reprimanded for being full of extortion and excess within.

Acts 9:25: Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.

In Galatians 5:23, temperance is listed as a fruit of the Spirit along with love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, etc.

In Titus 1:2, a Bishop is admonished to be sober, just, holy, and temperate.  In Titus 2:2, the aged men are also asked to be temperate.

In 1 Peter 4, excess is tied in with lasciviousness, lusts, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.

In 2 Peter: Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience.

In Alma 7:23 we are told to be temperate in all things.

Alma 38:10 11: I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.  See that ye are not lifted up unto pride.

Doctrine & Covenants 6:19:  Be patient; be sober; be temperate.

Doctrine & Covenants 59:20: And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

OK, what does this mean to me?  How am I to improve?  This virtue seems to go along with gratitude and being happy for what I have.  Temperance can be the opposite of greed and excess.  I do not need more of many things--I have enough.  I will concentrate on thanking the Lord for what I have and not asking for more.  I will work on being content and finding joy in the many blessings of life.   I will be temperate in my diet and in my purchases.