Pure In Heart

Of all the promises to the virtuous in the Sermon on the Mount, the promises to the pure in heart are by far the greatest. In Matthew the verse reads, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." 3Nephi goes a step further stating, "Blessed are all the pure in heart for they shall see God." Clearly, our highest goal is to be pure in heart.

Jacob expounds on this virtue by giving us the characteristics of the pure in heart. They look to God and pray with a firm heart and faith. They are promised consolation in afflictions, that justice will come to the destruction of those who seek to do harm.

The pure in heart receive the pleasing word of God and feast upon his love. They are promised this feast forever so long as their minds are firm. They do not judge by outward appearances, including skin color, hair length, body odor, etc.. They seek to repent and to nurture and protect and love their spouses and children.

Those who are not pure are described as filth. The opposite is promised to them. For them the land is cursed. The wealth of the land is temporary as it will be lost in the coming generation. These commit fornication, adultery and whoredoms. Their hearts are turned away from their families. I believe that is true because sin turns your focus inward to one's own appetites.

The choice is clear - repent and retain a pure heart and live with God's presence; or be filthy with insatiable appetites and lose everything of value. Why is making the choice so difficult? Because it takes effort and faith to turn away from the carnal and toward God. With each episode when we choose faith over appetite, faith grows. Yet, to some degree it always takes some effort. In my experience, it is always worth it. What if we slip and commit the sin again? Did Christ only die for the first time we sinned and we are on our own after that? No, nor the 116th time. He is always there it is up to us to get up the final time and continue the resolve to be pure.