The book of Helaman describes a dark time in Nephite history. Furthermore Jesus declared: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45). from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23). What a dark picture - evil from the inside out! Jesus pointed out: “. In the days of Noah we read that “the wickedness of men had become great in the earth and every man was lifted up in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually” (Moses 8:22). And there is evidence in the scriptures that his assault has often been successful. It is his goal to drive from the heart every vestige of love and virtue, everything that is lovely or of good report or praiseworthy. Little wonder, then, that the heart should be the primary target of the Adversary as he wages war against the children of God. In them this sacred citadel of the soul is the essence of their religious, domestic, and public life and the core of who they are.

In truly righteous men and women it is the center of allegiance, loyalty and love. In the scriptures the heart is the seat of emotion and feeling. He also declares: “the Lord requireth the heart”(D&C 64:22). He revealed to Joseph: “I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts”(D&C 137:9). Repeating his New Testament command, the Lord declared in 1831, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart”(D&C 59:5). He warns his children of our day that many will 'turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men'(D&C 45:29). He told Emma: “my soul delighteth in the song of the heart”(D&C 25:12). In our dispensation the Lord told Oliver Cowdery: “there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart” (D&C 6:16). Moroni, writing to those who he knew would have his words, counseled: “Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart” (Mormon 9:27). Before his appearance in the new world, the surviving Nephites heard the voice of the Redeemer declare: “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20). have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” (Alma 5:14). Alma in his mission of reform asked the people in Zarahemla: “. King Benjamin invited his people to open their hearts so that they might understand his words (Mosiah 2:9). John wrote: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:20).Īs a part of his last recorded teachings, Nephi spoke of following the Son, with “full purpose of heart” (2 Nephi 31:13). Paul spoke of Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17) Peter encouraged the saints to “love one another with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:33-34). He declared: “Sell that ye have, and give alms provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not. Jesus promised that the pure in heart would see God (Matthew 5:8). Malachi spoke of the return of Elijah and the turning of hearts: fathers to children and children to fathers (Malachi 4:6). Solomon prayed for an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9) Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law, to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments (Ezra 7:10) the psalmist quarried, “who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? – then answered, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart” (Psalms 24:4). Let me give a few positive examples of the use of this word from our Standard Works. The only body part mentioned with more frequency is hand. The word itself, in its several forms, is used 1611 times in our standard works.

The scriptures give special place to the heart.

Clean hands and a pure heart lds