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Just when it seems the world is hopelessly drowning in immorality, you see a sight like this portrayed in the photos in this essay and hope is revived.

On September 15, 2009, a line of 250 girls, climbed a peak overlooking the Newport Beach Temple and announced to the world, by unfurling bright gold banners, that they stood, undaunted, for virtue.

Brittany Hanks, Tijeras Canyon Ward, Rancho Santa Margarita
Laura Thornburg, Santa Margarita Ward, Coto de Caza
Katherine Snyder, Lake Forest, Lake Forest Ward (holding flag)

By doing so, they each pledged they would stay virtuous so they could one day be worthy to marry in the temple.

The girls, who represented Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Rancho Santa Margarieta, Coto de Caza, and Lake Forest, set out to make their own virtue statement to all of Orange County.

Left to right, Cari Jacobs, Meagan McDavitt, Sarah Draper, Hannah Campbell, Daren Billings, Emily Johnson, Miranda Tate, Diane Hawkins, Elizabeth Chase, Julie Mclain, Hailey Davis, Ainsley Broadley, Bishop Kent Smith, Rachel Owens, Brittany Hanks, Eden Johnson, Natalie Tate, Shelby Mclain, Front Row, Skyler Lodwig, Chelsea Hildt, Kate Stromberg
All from the Tijeras Canyon Ward, Rancho Santa Margarita

Liz Forrest, the Santa Margarita Stake Young Women President and major organizer of the event said, “Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.  We teach our youth to have the moral courage and stand for the right, even if they have to stand alone.” 

Top left to right Raquel Hoops, McKenzie Hrabik Aliza Andre Makayla Wells Leslie Goyzeta (LOC) Hannah Campbell... bottom Cassidy Hrabik Sarah Brokaw....

In October 2008, Elaine Dalton, General Young Women President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as the LDS church, asked the young women of the world, ages 12-18, to “Return to Virtue”. 

Liz Forrest, Santa Margarita Stake Young Women President, with homemade Virtue banner.

Dalton said “now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue.”

Elaine Dalton emphasized, “The temple is the reason for everything we do in the church and virtue is a prerequisite to entering the temple.” 

Kate Stromberg, a young woman from Rancho Santa Margarita, said "In the world today, virtue isn't highly regarded; but being with the girls that day who shared my same standards and values helped strengthen me and keep me on the right path."