CLEANSING

   Honestly, purification is kind of a tricky word to describe when relating it to human beings. When we have gold and say it is pure gold, we know that it is unadulterated, uncontaminated, gold. But what does it mean to be pure if we are human? Well, I don't know that it is much different. I think if we remain clean, uncontaminated, etc. or can rid ourselves of the dirt that is not 'us' or who we want to be, we have a chance at being pure. I like this picture from http://www.zencollegelife.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/purity.jpg because it represents purity to me.

   In recent reading (or re-reading) of 3 Nephi 19, I found something that I had never really noticed before. Most people probably know this chapter because of the several prayers that are given, the unique styles or the special individuals giving and recieving the prayers (sorry if that sounds vague - read it for more information on those subjects). When I read it this time I noticed something a stong emphasis on "purification".

   In verse 28, the Saviour is praying to the Father and says, "I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, ...". When I first read that I thought to myself, "Wait a minute, were those that were chosen purified because of faith, OR were those that were purified, chosen because of faith?" Honestly, I wanted it to mean the first. I wanted to believe that this was Christ saying that purification was possible through Heavenly Father, if we have faith. But I couldn't be sure. I reread the entire verse and... AHA! There it was! Later in the verse, the Saviour states, "...I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me."

   It seems as though these men may have been chosen in a way(3 Nephi 19:20), because of their faith, BUT they were also definitely purified through Heavenly Father, His Son and the faith that they had in them. And the great thing is that it appears we all can have this blessing of cleansing or purification through our faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the words that they have given us. We can be one in the same way our Father in Heaven and the Saviour are one, if we listen to their words and do their will.

Tags: Purity Book Of Mormon Cleansing Purification Pure Chosen Faith

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