The risen Lord next explained the importance of coming unto Him. Repentance is the sweet fruit that comes from faith in the Savior and involves turning toward God and away from sin. As we appropriately seek for and receive the spiritual gift of faith in the Redeemer, we then turn to and rely upon the merits, the mercy, and the grace of the Holy Messiah (see 2 Nephi 2:8). First was repentance, “a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin” (Bible Dictionary, “Repentance,” 760). The basic principles outlined by the Master in this scripture are essential for us to understand and apply in our lives. Said He, “Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day” ( 3 Nephi 27:20). As the Savior’s time with the people was drawing to a close, He succinctly summarized the fundamental principles of His gospel. The Savior’s Ministry in the New Worldĭuring the Lord’s three-day ministry in the New World, He taught His doctrine, authorized His disciples to perform priesthood ordinances, healed the sick, prayed for the people, and lovingly blessed the children. I pray for the guidance of the Spirit for me and for you. Today I want to review with you one of my favorite Book of Mormon events, the Savior’s appearance in the New World, and discuss His instruction to the multitude about the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. I came to know for myself that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and contains the fulness of His everlasting gospel (see D&C 27:5). Through the simple consistency of her example and testimony, my mother kindled in me the first flames of faith in the Savior and in His latter-day Church. I especially remember her description of the Savior’s visit to the American continent following His Resurrection and of His teachings to the people in the land of Bountiful. She had a way of making the scriptural episodes come alive in my youthful imagination, and I did not doubt that my mother had a witness of the truthfulness of that sacred record. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees because they appeared righteous but were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:28).I have fond childhood memories of my mother reading Book of Mormon stories to me. He knows our thoughts, motives, deeds, and speech, and He hates hypocrisy. Further, the person who legitimately enters the Lord's presence in worship does not worship idols: anything or anyone other than the one true God.Ī true worshipper does not practice deception (John 4:24). Having a pure heart likely refers to a person's godly thoughts and character. Pilate's dramatic washing of his hands declared his opinion that he was completely innocent of what happened to Jesus (Matthew 27:24). This imagery is reflected in modern English expressions such as "willing to get his hands dirty," which implies someone willing to do evil to accomplish their goals. Having "clean hands" refers to the performance of righteous deeds, as well as avoidance of evil deeds.
Isaiah 52:11 commands: "Purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the L ORD." Exodus 30:18–21 instructs Aaron, the high priest, and his sons to wash their hands and feet at the laver in the tabernacle before ministering to the Lord. The Levites who transported the ark had to be ceremonially clean, as did the priests. The question is not whether or not a person is capable of singing or saying words it's whether their efforts are appropriate. A person cannot truly worship God unless they are submitted to Him in faith, and that submission cannot occur until they have been redeemed by salvation. Proper worship of God requires clean hands, a pure heart, and integrity. The answer to the question posed in verse 3 is given here.