A Pure Heart

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." Luke 1:46-55

As daughters of God, we can be a force for good in the world if we are virtuous and pure of heart. To be pure of heart, we must continually search our motives and repent from wrong doing. Serving God wholeheartedly, we give ourselves an advantage. When we are busy doing the Lord's work, it is more difficult to partake in impure conduct.

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Timothy 4:12

This speaks specifically to young people, but can be a guide for all who wish to set an example. In essence, Timothy tells us to be nice and good. In this way, we can be silent missionaries in God's Kingdom. If we seem happy in our convictions instead of tired, depressed, and sick, we will be ambassadors of the joy found in following Christ.

"Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." Timothy 5:1-2

To entreat is to request with real desire. To me this is in the same direction as being an example. If I see my friend or loved one doing that which might harm them, I might show increasing kindness, asking them to come along with me. Distraction is a great way to break an undesired act.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Psalm 51:10-11

God expects purity in all our doings. When I think of purity, I think of someone who is chaste in mind and body, charitable, kind, loyal, truthful, trustworthy, and loves God. Some of these have been easy for me, others have not. As a young girl I took great pleasure in spreading the confidences of friends. Pretty soon I found myself without friends. This experience gave me the reward of a very lonely 6th grade school year but also an understanding of loyalty, truthfulness, and trustworthiness. Through experience and study, I've progressed in my comprehension of the others, as well.

What other ways can we guard our purity?

Women should be modest in dress. Recently, I've been privy to conversations of young mothers, who see this in an alarming light. "You need to be covered up, but show just a hint of cleavage." Oh dear, your cleavage is part of your breast. It should be shown only to your husband and doctor. "Revealing and sexually suggestive clothing, which includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, and shirts that do not cover the stomach, can stimulate desires and actions that violate the Lord's law of chastity In addition to avoiding clothing that is revealing..." For the Strength of Youth

I don't believe it says here that it is alright to wear clothing that is a little too tight or sort of sexually suggestive or stimulates desires and actions that violate the Lord's law of chastity just a little. A little suggestion is still suggestion. A sausage casing is still a sausage casing. We women of the Lord's true church need to be above reproach in this matter. This is the easiest first step. Cover up your boobs. Don't be unintentional walking pornography.

Our media choices can be another way we can easily choose purity over worldliness. Books, movies, music, and television shows that do not bring us to God drive us away. It's that simple. Is it virtuous, lovely, or of good report? This is another simple to accomplish step in following God and being an example. Don't partake in immoral media.

Our commitment to our marriage covenants is another area where we can choose God. How well do we serve? Do we refuse to become offended? Do we work on communication and strengthening our bonds? This choice is not as easy as the first tow. Whenever there is another person in the equation, skills of compromise, negotiation, conversation, and humility come into play. Bickering and contention are not part of this picture. Choosing purity in a marriage relationship is more than a life long pursuit. Just because you say I do across the temple alter does not guarantee a great marriage. It must be one of your main priorities. What better way can we show the happiness found in God's Kingdom than to demonstrate a happy marriage to the world.

We may feel pressure to conform to worldly standards or become so busy that we no longer make God our number one priority. Daily time spent in God's word and on our knees in repentance is one way we can assure ourselves that we will keep ourselves pointed in the right direction. Modeling our lives after the Savior and asking ourselves what Jesus would do in any given situation, we can make better choices. Biting our tongues in a contentious situation, thinking before acting, smiling even though we don't feel like it, and putting others needs before our own, we can begin to feel the humility required to have thehelp of the
Spirit at all times. Constant guidance by the Holy Ghost is guaranteed to the pure in heart.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Psalm 51:10-11